-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
-
Mark
-
::)
-
X marks the spot.
-
I haven't looked at a Best Sellers list in a long time, so just did...and I found:
Hardcover Fiction
Top 5 at a Glance
1. THE LOST SYMBOL, by Dan Brown
2. THE SCARPETTA FACTOR, by Patricia Cornwell
3. PURSUIT OF HONOR, by Vince Flynn
4. NINE DRAGONS, by Michael Connelly
5. THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett
and the only one there I have only heard that the #1 is about the Freemasons and my husband read #3...he's a Joseph Finder and a Vince Flynn fan.
I found this list and someone at knitting group mentioned #4 as a good read.
Paperback Trade Fiction
Top 5 at a Glance
1. PUSH, by Sapphire
2. THE SHACK, by William P. Young
3. OLIVE KITTERIDGE, by Elizabeth Strout
4. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, by Stieg Larsson
5. SAY YOU'RE ONE OF THEM, by Uwem Akpan
Has anyone here read #4?
Both lists are from: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller/
jane
-
Jane, I have read "Girl with a Dragon Tatoo". I thought it was good, but a little dark for me. I probably won't read any more books by Larsson as I have heard that his next one is rather gory. I also read "The Help". It was good and my book club has chosen it for one of our selections. I read "The Shack" because so many people read it and were talking about it. I personally did not care for it. I just checked out "Olive Kitteridge", so it is next on my list to read. Anybody out there read any of these books? If so, what did you think about them?
Sally
-
The Help is a book I recommend to everyone. It is special concerning women and bonding and the history of integration. It takes the subject to a very human level without bombast. I read all Michael Connelley's books but haven't read dragons yet. Tattoo impressed me on many levels: the Swedish social mores, the personality of "The Girl" and the plot complexities. I've read Larsson's second book and anxiously awaiting the third, final, book.
-
I agree with you, Jackie, on Larson. But I also am not comefortable if the goriness gets above a certain level.
-
Jane, I've read The Help #5 on your list #1. I enjoyed it but I'm not sure how much it would lend to a month long discussion.
On List #2- I've read The Shack (and have an autographed copy of it as the author spoke with my son's youth group in New mexico.) I have read the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and loved it, yes, I admit, it was dark but I liked it. I just bought the sequel to it and will begin that this week.
-
I read Oliver Kitteridge. It was well-written, but I did not like the character at all.
-
I liked "The Help".
I didn't care for "Olive Kitteridge".
Haven't read any of the others.
-
I've read the The Help and found it to be very well written. Mary
-
I, too, thought 'The Help' was very good. I'm also glad to find I'm ot
the only one who didn't care for the Larsson book. Several people said
they liked it, but I didn't even get very far into it. I simply wasn't enjoyimg it, and couldn't see a good reason for continuing.
-
I dont like Gory and have not read the Larrson books because they are supposed to be..
-
I read Kitteridge and was titillated by the plot device of Olive turning up in each story in many different roles. That idea, that one can be both the star and in a supporting role at the same time was an intellectual device which held up throughout the book, I felt. Olive was not an admirable person but she was there for every other character. i enjoyed the puzzle of waiting for Olive to turn up and to see what effect she had in each segment.
-
I am still not quite sure on The Help.. I think I will eventually read it, but not just now. We are leaving for a few days in the rv.. only going to St. Augustine, but need a few days away.. We would have been gone last week, but our Gracie, the rescue corgi is under treatment for heartworm and she needed to stay close to home.. She is doing very well and so we will all pack up tomorrow and leave about noon.
-
Have a great trip, STEPH.
-
Steph: You have such a lively time, travelling like gypsies and then going home for R&R. RVing seems like the best way to see lots of the country where everything is so far away. One of the places I'd like to RV to is the Michigan/Canadian border. There are some rock strata there like nowere else, near the Lake. And I'd love to see Lake Louise in Canada.
-
I think if I ever decided to live in Florida, St. Augustine would be at or near the top of my list. I really liked the town.
-
I like Joseph finder. also I find myself agreeing with mrs. sherlock much of the time so I often save her comments as in Olive Kittridge . it's just a matter of a shared taste. does anyone else do that"
I saved three of philippa Gregory's books on the kindle as samples and am into one now along with about four others as in the dan brown book which waits there, well written in the sample so kept for later. Right now I am in 1539 england with the bolyn inheritance. . . written from many points of view but tied together as King Henry having lost Jane to childbirth and beheaded the willful Ann now selects a replacement, Ann of Cleves. Katherine Howard turns fourteen and hopes to be chosen as a queen's lady in waiting.
as for censoring my childrens choice of reading, it never occurred to me. They are, in their fifties now, avid readers and always have been and nothing terrible ever came of that choice on my part.
Claire
-
winsumm: Thank you.
-
We love exploring the US.. There are so many beautiful places that dont get much publicity as well as other places that are popular. We went all the way to the Canadian border in Michigan as well as New York .. I loved Soo St. Marie and the locks.. Neat.
The upper peninsula of Michigan has some gorgeous scenery.. very stark somehow. Then we swooped down on Wisconsin, which turned out to be a lovely lovely state. Too cold for me in the winter, but in the summer, it was a true delight to visit. Got to eat cheese curds there for the first time. Had no idea what they were.
-
I'm in Arkansas visiting my daughter and two granddaughters. When I packed, I put all of my books at the bottom of my suitcase, never thinking I'd need something to read during the two-hour layover between planes.
As I left my house I grabbed a paperback from my bookshelf. It was Dan Brown's Deception Point. I'm finding it a great book to read. Like his others, there is much suspense in the book. Each chapter seems to leave you hanging. I hope to finish it before I leave so I can give it to my daughter.
My hard back books are Outlander and The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Outlander because it's been recommended as a good historical novel and Elegance because my f2f book group is reading it for November.
-
I stayed at Lake Louise 40 years ago. It was lovely, but kind of crowded. But we found that down the road there was another lake that wasn't even on our map that was just as beautiful, but not developed, and we sent an hour there.
I hope they have preserved Lake Louise from being too touristified. My husband and I used to do a lot of traveling around when we were younger, and often found that the places we kept hearing about were too crowded and noisy, but there were often places nearby that wre just as beautiful.
Now that I'm living in California, I realize how many beautiful places there are out here that I've never seen. But it is difficult for me to travel now. Fortunately, I have some wonderful California coastline just 15 minutes away.
-
Me, too, JOANK. One of the 'losses' I most regret is that traveling is
something I can't do anymore. At least, no long drives through lovely
countryside.
-
We are well aware that sooner or later we will not be able to travel, especially in the rv, but since just now we can, we do.. The US is a wonderful place. It has so very many places that quite special in different ways..
-
marking.............jean
-
I've just finished the new Pat Conroy book - South of Broad. I have a feeling I've already posted about this, but don't see it. Oh, well. ::)
This is much more like his early books, which we loved. We hated the last two big novels. This one is truly a love letter to the city of Charleston. I liked it, and John is reading it now.
-
I like Conroy and am sure I will read this one. I was thinking about what you said and I think that my favorite was The Lords of Discipline..
Have found the first David Liss.. Conspiracy of Paper and will get it through my swap club.
-
I'm currently reading a really good book, despite bits of horror. It's Neil Gaiman's "Amrican Gods". One reviewer described it most accurately as "by turns thoughtful, hilarious, disturbing, uplifting, horrifying and enjoyable". It's all of that.
-
I like Gaiman.. He cowrote a book with Terry Pratchett. He is quite different, but good.
-
"Quite different" is a good description, STEPH. I knew about the book with Terry Pratchett and may read it later. I believe my library has it in the YA section. Gaiman is also the author of the popular "Sandman" graphic series,
tho' I haven't gotten into graphics. My son suggested I read "American Gods".
-
Am reading The Wheel of Darkness. I tried one the duos books years ago and hated it, but everyone seems to love them, so decided to try a later book and see how I feel.
I dont like the Manga or
Graphic novels at all. Wrong age group, I suspect.
-
My sister is always trying to get me to read Terry Patchett. Those who read him love him.
-
Terry is wonderful.. He has the gift of absurdity.. Witches and Death ( who is a distinct character), how to cure the post office and reinvent banks.. Mort who sort of inherits being death.. All in all, a major funny writer..
-
(http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/foodsbooks/christmasdivider9.jpg)
You are invited to a
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=978.0) for Book and Food Lovers
December 1 - 20
Guests will be YOU and authors of your favorite books that combine a good story with good tips on food. Do drop in and tell us about your favorite foodies, real and otherwise, be it Rachel Ray or Kate Jacobs or Tyler Florence or Joanne Harris. Who's your favorite cook?
-
My f2f book group chose The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery to read this month. I'm finding it very difficult to read. We meet on December 3rd and I'll do my best to finish it.
As a "relief" from that, I've picked up Outlander by Diane Gabaldon. It was recommended to me as historical fiction. Well, that's a stretch. It's a romance novel set in the 1800s in Scotland. But it doesn't tax my mind the way Hedgehog does, so I'll probably finish that, too.
I'm hosting our group this time so I get to choose the book we read for December. And since we don't need any more stress during the holidays, I'm going to choose a Christmas book, just for the fun of it. I've chosen A Christmas Guest by Anne Perry.
Nancy
-
Aberlaine, I tried to read The Elegance of the Hedgehog this year, but was unable to finish it. Something about did not appeal.
Anne Perry's Christmas books are a pleasant read. I have decided that after I finish the one library book I have out, I will look for the Christmas books. Might boost my spirit.
-
Just finished Carley's Song by Patricia Sprinkle. I had read her book The Remember Box many yrs ago and had marked it w/ 3 stars in my "read" list, but i couldn't remember - no pun intended - what it was about.
C's S is narrated by a precocious 12 yr old who lives in a small town in NC. It's the almost daily happenings of a yr in her life in the early 1950's. Even tho those two books were not shelved in the "mystery" section of the library, they both have a little mystery to them and apparently she has a series of mystery books, altho i haven't read any of those yet...............i think i will look for them, i enjoy her writing. It flows very well and her descriptions give me a very clear picture of what the environment and people are like.
This is a very small town and has the characters of a very small town. She lives w/ her uncle's family, he is a Presbyterian minister, which lends an interesting aspect to the stories as he has a more progressive philosophy than many in the town. Carley can sit in her closet and hear the counseling sessions that he has w/ other characters - a nice way to move the story along. ..................jean
-
I like Anne Perry's Christmas books too. They cut down on the wordiness of her other books, and give minor characters a chance at center stage.
:Carley's Song" sounds interesting. I've noticed a number of mystery books not marked as such in my library.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
-
Jean, re: Patricia Sprinkle -- that name sure was familiar. Years ago I read her When Did We Lose Harriet , about a young teen who falls through the cracks and apparently no one cares.
I also have, somewhere in a stack of magazines, an article she wrote for Presbyterians Today. I don't remember what it was about, but I've kept it for years, so it must be important. :P I'll look it up when I get home next week.
-
Sometimes a writer can pull you into the spell of his story seemingly with little or no effort. Frequently the use of the first person narrative can do it. Robert Greer pulls it off beautifully in Spoon, a tale of the contemporary west with its ranchers/cattlemen vs. big energy corporation conflict. Greer, a pathologist and professor of medicine at U of Colo, owns a ranch in Montana where the Darleys find their 14,000 acre ranch is coveted by Acota Energy for its vast underground coal deposits. Told in the voice of the son of the family as he takes a year off between high school and U of Montana at Bozeman, the minutiae of ranch life are recounted in a matter-of-fact way that highlights its stark, almost brutal beauty. The action covers the year that Spoon, the wandering hired man, spends with the family. Partly coming-of-age, partly horse opera, this is a very satisfying read. Greer has written several books and I will be reading more of his work.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/g/robert-greer/
http://www.amazon.com/Spoon-Novel-Robert-Greer/dp/1555916899/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259104827&sr=1-1
-
You do that, too, PEDLN? I've got old Times Magazines and National
Geographics that I saved for important features. I wonder what they were? ;D
Sounds good, JACKIE. Right now I only have a couple of light 'holiday'
books to read, and I know they are going to go fast. I do hope I don't
run out before the library opens again after Thanksgiving. But then,
I can always go to the shelves for an old goodie.
-
jackie - Just a querky correction - Bozeman is the home of Montana State U, not U of Montana..................I only know that because my son coached football at MSU and there's a huge rivalry between the two, so MSU fans are quick to let one know the difference. :D ...........jean
-
Mabel: thanks; the reference to Bozeman is correct, I'm the one who misstated the name of the school. This explains a part of the story i didn't completely understand when he runs into an old girlfriend who's going to the U and she wishes him well at Bozeman. I thought it was the same place. Here in Oregon the rivalry between U of O and OSU is intense; both schools are competing for the Rose Bowl this year. Their big game is called The Civil War and it really is. In the Bay Area the Big Game is between Stanford and Cal, Berkeley home of the U of California.
-
as posted elsewhere I'm into an unusual book about car racing written by a dog. or at least the dog is the protagonist and it is set in the first person. very good writing, for a dog and good story telling and advice for driving in the rain.
The art of racing in the rain.
-
Winsumm: Your comment about the dog as protagonist brought to mind the story Virginia Woolf wrote about 'Flush' which was Elizabeth Barrett Browning's spaniel. In it she tries to reconstruct the life of 'Flush' and so through the dog's story we get a brief tale of the life of the Barrett Brownings as well. It's a delightful story - "Flush' proves Woolf's point that "Everything is the proper stuff of fiction".
-
(http://www.christmasgifts.com/clipart/christmasholly7.jpg)
| We're looking forward to seeing you at the
Holiday Open House (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?board=76.0)
December 1 - 20
|
-
| (http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/kim/kimcvrsm.jpg) |
Coming Soon...KIM by Kipling ~ our January Book Club Online.
Let us know you'll be joining us in our discussion (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=997.msg49658#msg49658). |
-
Just a brief note to let you all know that my f2f Library Book Group read "The Help" for our December selection. Our meeting last night to discuss was one of the best we have had in nearly 3 years. Aside from having two new members show up, we had a lively, informative, courteous discussion that went nearly half an hour past our allotted time. I cant seem to remember if anyone here has recommended the book, but if not, let me highly recommend it. The author is Kathryn Stockett, and it is her first novel, but so well written you'd never know it.
-
Tome: Happy to see that your group agreed with those of us who posted here about The Help. It was a special story and I hope Stockett has many more stories to tell us.
-
I'm well past the half way mark in Dan Browns
The Lost Symbol
references to much that I don't know but clearly explained as used to edge the story along. I don't care for all the "teasers" though and the chapters skipping each other. It is a format that keeps the reader involved but simply irritates me. a good read though I started it yesterday and expect to finish today.
claire
-
I guess I really need to catch up on Dan Brown. (But when??!!)
-
Babi, I know what you mean and when you ask when can you get around to reading Dan Brown's Lost Symbol. I try to keep my books close to 300 pages , if possible. But even though it's rather long, Lost Symbol is a very fast read.
Marj
-
dan brown writes suspense well but in this book it is clear that he is manipulating his reader with teasers and alternate chapters ala the wizard of oz. I resent that. I' am almost done. recently there was a documentary on the capital and its dome and its art which ties in very well with this book. It is worth saving for the instructional material as well. My particular interest i the mind keeps me going and I do recommend it with these caveates.
claire
-
winsummm your comments on Dan Brown's Lost Symbol are very interesting. I read it not long ago and had the eerie feeling I was reading a screenplay. While the background on Washington buildings and monuments is informative, I felt there were many similarities to the formula he used in the DaVinci Code.
I guess I'll be renting the Tom Hanks movie in the not too distant future
-
Has anyone read Orhan Pamuk's new book The Museum of Innocence yet?
I've read My Name is Red and Istanbul and liked both, so I went ahead and bought the new one. It's sitting on the stack of TBR's, said stack is growing daily ;D
-
evergreen Tom Hanks in my mind IS Robert Langdon. It's been said that there are many mistakes in the book if you are trying to learn from it. I was just being entertained as well as informed about washington, george and also DDC and the MASONS.
I did try to construct a magic square starting with on two and two more each with a value of one. then I made it into a sqare of three and found that I needed five of them and that I also neede the number four as well as three and two. iteventually tauaght me where the numbers come from in Franklyns square, I think. from the twenty six of our alphabet, I think. It's fun to play with the idea of making a magic square of my own.
claire
-
I just ordered the sample for MY NAME IS RED from amazone for my kindle. the reviews said the writing had a jewel like quality. I'm anxious to see.
google tells me about magic squares and how to construct them here.
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=magaic+square&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
claire
-
As much as I admire Tom Hanks, I never felt he fit the lead role from
the DaVinci Code as described by Dan Brown. Sometimes a good actor can take a role and make it their own, but for me that did not happen in this case.
I've read two Orhan Pamuk books and I would say 'jewel-like quality'
is a fair description.
You must be a math whiz, CLAIRE. I look at a project like your magic
square and my eyes glaze over. I haven't a clue. ???
-
If they make a movie of Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol, I hope it's better than the movie they made of Angels and Demons. I like Tom Hanks usually, but that movie was so boring we walked out after about half an hour. And I really liked the book.
-
like SUDOKO magic squares are about position as well as numbers. I haven't cooled it yet. I'm just intrigued is all. math isn't my thing at all, but I can see things in my head pretty well which works for puzzles.
as for the tomhanks playing the role in the first movie. I know what you mean a taller slimmer more professorial person would have fit but this one has an older plumper slower dumpier kind of look I think. so who would have been good in the first one,
-
I have no idea, CLAIRE. When it comes to keeping track of celebrities, I'm not interested enough to even try. I enjoy talent; I have no interest
in poking into their personal lives. Maybe that's why half the time I don't remember their names and have to ask my daughter.."where have seem him/her recently.
Or maybe I just don't keep track of the moderns. I would have said
perhaps David Niven, but he isn't even with us anymore.
-
babi I meant the actor for the role of the first book. I don't follow celebraties personal lives anyway althought the tv is full of them tiger woods currently using it all up in place of hard news.
claire
-
I know, CLAIRE. I wish they would get off that guy's back and go find
someone else to hound. You would think he had been caught in the crime of the century!
-
Babi: Funny, that does seem to be the crime of the decade there have been so many whose marriage vows are of the "do as I say, not as I do" variety.
-
Yeah, JACKIE. I certainly don't condone Mr. Wood's actions, but I find myself wondering how many of those stoning him could pass the "let him who is without sin" test.
-
babi: Good point. It does seem as if the seams of our society are getting more frayed, though.
-
Yes, it's sad. But it's a little repellant to see everybody jumping on him the way they are. I'm afraid a lot of hidden prejudice will come out. As the only African-American at the top of a white, country club sport, I have felt that he always had to bend over backward to be a perfect role model. Now I'm afraid those few who harbour racist feelings will use this against, not just Tiger, but all people of color.
-
Joan: What a doofuss I am! Believe it or not I forgot the race issue entirely in light of the apparent stupidity. You are right but, in my experience, racists don't need an excuse to be that way though this gives them carte blanche to be vocal about their racism.
-
JOANK, I suspect the very fact that he has been a beloved role model is
one of the factors in the heavy attacks against him now. People feel he
has let them down and they are angry. It's illogical, of course. He is
not responsible for people insisting on putting him on a pedestal. His
sports career has been so spectacular and people do love a hero. One
of the risks of fame, I suppose.
-
this is a repeat of y post in the mystery discussion for though who like a good light series but . . . beware.
of wendy robertss series featuring sadie novvak who cleans up the sites of unattendeed elderly death scenes. . .whew she is amusing and writes well BUT. . . .¡¡¡
-
In defense of Wendy Roberts' series, Sadie began this work when her brother commited suicide and she undertook the chore of the clean-up to spare her mother. She then completed the training, got her certification, and has been the only provider of this service for Seattle. She found that the dead, those who couldn't continue to their final destination, could communicate with her and she has helped solve some crimes as a result. It is a bit graphic and the majority of her cleaning jobs are crime scenes, though not all. The character's compassion and dedication are deep and she is an appealling protagonist IMHO.
-
I’ve mentioned this book in two other sites, and mention it again here because it is a delightful and recommended title. Baking Cakes in Kigali by 1st time novelist Gaile Parkin. Parkin was raised in Zambia and worked for two years in Rwanda, the setting of the story. Angel T, her husband Pius, and their five grandchildren have come to post-war Kigali from their native Tanzania. Pius is with the university and Angel has her own cake business. She says that she is not an ‘educated somebody,’ but she is a ‘professional somebody.’ Her clients, who come from all over Africa and the rest of the world, come to order cakes, and leave her with their stories, which may be problems, which are usually solvable. A book about survivors, this is a novel with strong elements of community, culture, and language, combined with the issues that are prevalent in Africa, especially in Rwanda. It’s similar to the Alexander McCall Smith books, but perhaps has a little more depth.
-
It's possible that most of the women claiming to have been w/ Tiger could be fabricating, it seems people will do almost any thing these days to get some publicity. If they all/or most turn out to be true, it seems to me the poor guy is an addict or at least desperate for something - perhaps searching for the intimacy he had w/ his Dad. But, where was his brain? He must know by now that there are cameras everywhere and someone should have warned him that at least ONE of those women was going to scream "I SLEPT W/ TIGER WOODS!" ............the race issue has to be in there somewhere, as you say.......................jean
-
that's the trouble with sadie. she is likeable, the work she does is noble.."someone has to do it" and I could identify with her and with the elderly ghosts etc. I read three of those books within a couple of weeks because roberts does engage but I ended up with a major anxiety attack because I could be one of those elderly living alone unattended corpses. it is one of the reasons I don't have a pet.
a pint of chocolate ice cream helped though. and the lactose pills to accompany it since like many over thirty I am lactose intolerant.
whells i wheels.
claire
-
CLAIRE, why not get one of those medical alert gadgets that you can
'wear at all times and use to alert 911 in an emergency. It's simply
good common sense for a person who lives alone. Accidents do happen, and what are the odds of one occurring within reach of a phone?
-
i have had a LIFE ALERT bracelet on for years. I'm just thinking about the cleanup and my kids who live far away haing to hire some one to do it like sadie does. most of my art stuff will probably be thrown out all the books things they would want to brouse orver and select from.. at least some of it lives in the garage and ceramics outside in the patios. I'm practical to the end. read and learn. . .
-
I like to shop at estate sales but I've seen so many which are crammed with things that i've been weeding out my stuff. I will look at an item and wonder if it is something my heirs will want to keep. If not, and when it's not part of my usual life, it can go. My mother and her sister, having lived through the Great Depression, were mildy afflicted hoarding. When their homes had to be cleaned out there were dozens of rolls of TP, paper towels, and other consumables. Being thrifty myself I take advantage of sales to ppurchase extras of the household essentials but there won't be as much for someone to have to sort through when I go. I cleaned out my wardrobe drastically when I retired, got rid of most of my collection of costume jewelry, I've sold or donated most of my books and I rarely buy a new one since I can find most of what I read at the library. Another help is when I downsized my home; there's just not as much space now.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I have a number of things I would like to sell, since I don't have room
for them or no longer have a use for them. I made one attempt to
set up an account on eBay, but I need some guidance on how to proceed. I simply don't know all that's involved.
-
Here is where I would start, BABI: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Starting-Business/dp/1592573339 I'd check it out of the library to see if it is written so I can understand it, how comprehensive it is and if it includes step-by-step procedures as the title promises. I might buy it but there are probably a slew of other books which would useful as permanent resources to keep on hand. Keep us posted. Good luck in your future career as an eBay entrepreneur.
-
ebay according to daughter mine is based upon building a reputation with others so they will trust you and then mailing packages etc which is what turned me of completely. It's not worth the hassle.
claire
-
Mailing doesn't need to be a hassle; USPS will pick up if you call. Plus you can print your own postage from your computer. There is the flat rate box, too, for bulkier items. A co-worker was selling on eBay, she was quite successful. Put all the profits into a separate bank account and had enough money after one year to take a three week European vacation. She enjoyed the creative side, arranging the items for the photos, writing the description, creating your eBay seller's name. She created a logo for her eBay ID, put it on all her paperwork such as the packing list, the shipping label, etc. She found some yarn at a thrift store and sold it on eBay, using a pair of my wooden knitting needles arranged with the yarn, quite fetching.
-
she souns like someone who enjoys that kind of
operation. I do everything I can to avoid it. Maybe Ida, my friend/helper could set up something like that she has lots of interesting things that people she worked for have given her and needs the money. and then she can do it for me at her usual rate. we'd both make money. she has cut out the housekeeping for others although not for me and is now something more appropriate for what she is really good at doing "a personal assistent". she has this nurturing quality along with the usual requirements.
'am browsing my kindle and reading samples although there are easily half dozen books in progress. I like the variety.
-
winsummm: That sounds like you would both come out ahead. I'd say, go for it!
-
Oh, my, JACKIE. Entrepreneur sounds terribly ambitious; I just want to
clear out a few things and maybe earn a buck or two doing it. The
'Complete Idiots Guide' does sound like a good idea though. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find there is one for eBay. I am handicapped in not
being able to print (the printer doesn't work) and being an even bigger
'idiot' when it comes to photography. That may be my downfall, right there.
CLAIRE, if I get that far I plan to take my sales to one of those places
that packs and mails. It may cost a bit more, but it would be safer. I
have the original mailing boxes for my collector plates, but I've also
had bad experiences with mailing things that got broken en route.
-
morning is my wish i were dead time everything hurts and doesn't work well including my stomach. . . so naturally everything is too much except the cup of cold yesterdays coffee which will bring me back to life. right now I can't image doing anything at all about al this stuff. My heirs can hassle with it also the money which should make it all "better". everything is in trust for my two kids . . .hassle free inheritance.
I have shrunk so much my old zipper front robe is too long in front and has to be held up to let me walk without walking on it. I had an image of the old fashioned ladies of long ago holding up their skirts. THAT must have hassled them. back to coffee.
claire
-
8) JACKIE your signature quote grabs me every time I go bye. 'love it. . . claire
-
Me too jackie, especially after a full day of rain yesterday...........it's lovely.
Claire - i think about those women holding up their skirts quite often. The first time i visited the "Betsy Ross house" in Phila really made me pause. (it's not really the house she lived and ran a business in, but very similar to hers). She was a widow and her husband was a widower and together they had NINE children in a very tiny house of 4 stories. They had an upholstery shop in the basement and the stairs were typical 18th century narrow, windy ones. All i tho't of as i traversed them, down and up, was Betsy carrying a child on a hip and holding up her skirts and maybe carrying something else for her work.............arrrgghh.........wouldn't they be pleased to see that we can be much more comfortable in our slacks and sneakers and shorter dresses in the 21st century......................of course, that's assuming we aren't trying to be "CUTE,' i.e. 4 inch heels, tight, short skirt, etc. that some women these days seem to think is much more important than being comfortable...............i don't get it. Even in my 20s and 30s i was stylish, but comfort was still important............jean
-
Winsummm: Those long skirts were dangerous and so is your robe. I have developed a habit of falling but haven't broken anything because I have fairly dense bones. The second time I almost fell from catching my toe in my pajama pants which are too long I decided that I'd rather have frayed edges than a broken anything so I shortened them by cutting 1 1/2 inches off the bottom of each leg. Wonderful peace of mind now.
-
an hour spent with a needle and thread would ix it too. I'm full of food now and sleepy. maybe later.
-
Amen, JEAN. I was willing to follow fashion only when the fashion suited
me, and fashionable discomfort never made the grade.
Very sensible, JACKIE. Along the same line, I finally admitted last
night that it was time to start using my cane again. I went outside to
look at our decorated windows from the outside, and the combination of
dark, wet and uneven convinced me to pick up my cane. My daughter would have a fit if I fell because I didn't want to use it.
Sewing would be neater than cutting, JOANG, no question about it.
However, I have fingers that won't alway do what I ask of them, so
JACKIE'S scissors can be a useful alternative.
Oh, yeah, we're in fiction. I'm currently reading "Riders and Mystics",
"A Redbird Christmas", and "Cousin Kate". A got a lot of books to get to...and through.
-
The inner voice which sounds just like my mother is scandalized that I cut off the bottoms instead of neatly turning up the hems. I did it anyway. They're MY pajamas and if anyone doesn't like the frayed edges they don't have to look at them.
-
GO, Jackie!!!
-
Yes, go Jackie. I have said something similar to DH, when he criticized my sweatshirt with the arm seams half gone! It was a sleep shirt only, and I figured, hey, you'll be asleep, and you can't see it. So, shush!
-
Jackie, I love your remedy for your pajamas!
I had to laugh at your inner voice from your mother. I thought I was the only one who heard my mom's voice. Just yesterday, I looked at the mess of books and papers on my coffee table, and thought I really must straighten that up. I could hear my mother saying, "Marjorie! You really must do something about that mess!! (It's still there.)
marj
-
It's taken me most of my 75 (in two months) years to stifle it. Isn't stifle a neat word?
-
jACKIE: I'm 76 and haven't stifled it yet. Luckily, my mother was as messy as I am.
-
mothers: mine was a nag and I stifeled her upon entering puberty. it has taken me until now at 81 to let her have her say about ANYTHING AT ALL. i.e. a woman should have her own money yep she was right as I learned when I got shuck of my husband. I couldn't have done it without her.
I have two pairs of pants with split back seams which I just look at now and then My Ida suggested that we each take one and have a sewing moment together. I liked her idea but not for now. procrastinating is my best thing as to sewing anything. My mother hated it too. She wasn't wrong about EVERYTHING.
-
Joan: I'm messy too. Part of the problem is I have so much stuff. Another part is I like fixing things (solving problems) better than maintaining.
-
I don't have a problem with tidying messes; I tend to be an orderly
person. Unfortunately, I can't recall my Mother ever admonishing me to
dust. Pity, the place could really use a good dusting. And then my
daughter, who is most comfortable with mess, occupies the other half
of this place. I just close her door; she's an adult now and entitled to
her own choices.
(Having said that, I confess I still can't stop 'mothering' when it comes to her health. Hey, it's an inbred thing! Mother's can't help that!)
-
For those of you who 75ish..............when i saw the ads for Larry King on Tues night having the cast of "Nine" and Sophia Loren was going to be on, i tho't "how old is she? She's been around as long as i can remember, must be in her 80's." Well, i looked her up and she's just 75. I also checked out Judi Dench and she TOO is 75. That was a good birth year......I see Joan and Jackie are also about 75............good year! ...................jean
-
They don't make them like us anymore, do they?
-
That's right!!
-
JACKIE; I copied your post on ebay and sent it to IDA. SHE LOVES IT. thanky so much.
claire
-
Well, I recently turned 74 so I went to see who I could find from my
birth year. How about Mubarak, Candy Barr and the Dalai Lama? I'm
almost afraid to go on. :D
-
astrological signs go with it. . .that birth month and in a complicated way the year too. I have a close friend who lived with me for six months. I learned to make a chart and what the commoner signs mean. Our sun signs are overall but they are the ones we use.,I'm mid march which makes me a pisces. that actually maes sense what with the emphasis on the arts and philosphy. the person is supposed to be laid back and easy going., Maybe I'll grow into that one. grin. year is 1928. so who else? any of you?
claire
-
I just looked here
http://www.saidwhat.co.uk/quotes/year/1928
lots of creative peope and politicians. so many actors who could also be politicians. thy seem to corilate positively. Sheirley Temple was a powerful six year old and she grew up to be a politician as an older adult. It helps to have charisma. look at obama.
claire
-
My birth year, just a few: Margaret Atwood, Margaret Drabble, Germaine Greer; a thing about authors for that year? And lots of sports figures!
-
Winsumm: I am NOT a person of "note" but 1928 was my year---12/21/28---will be 81 next
Monday. ::)
JOY
-
hi Joy
the solstice is tomorrow it is a joyous time are you named for it? smiles, claire
-
Congratulations, JOY.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
And many more, in good health!
-
Happy Birthday, Joy!!!
-
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOY. I hope that you will spend your birthday doing things you enjoy.
I am another member of the birth class of 1934. Seems there are a number of us, here. Were the rest of you as affected by the Great Depression, as I was? My father is still alive, and makes reference to the GD, frequently.
Happy Holidays, everyone. I hope that the coming New Year will bring each of us, many blessings.
Sheila
-
I can't say I was affected by the "Great Depresson". I was too young
to be aware of it, but I heard many stories about it later from my father.
Mostly, they were the good memories from his wanderings. (He left his
home as a teen to follow the harvests.) He would chuckle as he spoke
of finding a stand offering cherry juice...all you could drink for a nickel!
He was dismayed to discover that he really could not drink as much cherry juice as he expected..
-
I have a copy of You Have Seen Their Faces that I am reading just now. It's fascinating and sobering.
My parents didn't talk too much about the Depression, but my mother said that her family lost money, so that they went from being reasonably financially stable farmers to poor, and that what she noticed the most was that her oldest brother, who could remember the days of more money, was very resentful of his younger brothers and sisters, and that her mother had grown up in a wealthier family and wasn't able to adjust to the hard work in the big family. The older brother moved from the farm as soon as he could and worked as far from agriculture as he could. My grandmother withdrew into herself.
My father's family lost their farm in North Dakota and moved to Minnesota and Wisconsin. So I guess if not for the Depression, my father and mother wouldn't have met and I wouldn't be.
-
All of us "depression babies" were affected by it, one way or another. My father had a government job, and hung onto it. But my mother worked for the Government, too, as a librarian. They made her quit, saying it was unfair for two people in one family to have jobs when so many were without.
PatH and I were born about 9 months later.
My mother came from a farm family, and she saw how many of her relatives and friends lost their farms. She was determined that she, and her children, own their homes. They paid off their mortgage as quickly as they could, and later gave us the money to pay off our mortgage.
I was trying to explain the depression mentality to a friend. We save, and use credit not at all or very sparingly. We don't buy anything until we have the money to pay for it. The opposite of the people today, who are all living beyond their means. I worry that our whole economy is a mirage of credit, and will collapse like a giant ponzi scheme.
-
Perhaps that is a result I hadn't recognized, JOANK. We had enough
as I was growing up, but little to spare. I still hate being in debt and pay
it off as quickly as I can. I use the credit cards for those emergencies
that I can't pay for in cash, and I never have more than two cards. I
shop for those with the lowest interest rates, too.
With my income, I can't avoid debt entirely, but I do keep it low.
-
I cannot aforD interest. so the credit card that I do use gets paid off every month. I have others but don't use them as long as there is no fee. I'm afraid I might outlive my SPENDABLE and have to either sell this condo or get a reverse mortgage. At almost 82, I have about three more years at this rate, so maybe I won't outlive my self. I'm surprised I made it this far. Our family is not long lived.
claire ;D
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't remember anything about the Depression as I was born in December, '28, and was very young during the Depression, but my father was never out of work as he worked as a
telegraph operator (yes, they used to have those) for Standard Oil Co.--subsequently, ESSO,
then now Exxon, but we did not have a lot of money. My mother was a very frugal spender.
I feel sure there were not credit cards then; however, I do remember we had a charge acct.
at the little neighborhood grocery. Ah----MEMORIES! ;D
JOY
-
There is a little gem of a book I'm reading now. The author, Andrew Grieg, is a poet as well as a novelist and his prose is delectable. Known in the US as The Clouds Above and in Britain as That Summer, itis the story of two young people who meet and fall lin love in the summer of 1940 as The Battle of Britain begins. He is a raw RAF pilot. she is being trained in RDF, Radio Direction Finding, now known as RADAR. The narrative, he's telling his story and she's telling hers, has pulled me into this tale because their words are so compelling. Well worth my time and I'll read more of this author. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/g/andrew-greig/that-summer.htm
-
I saw some entrees on Patricia Sprinkle. I had not read the books mentioned, but have read several of her mysteries. She does a nice job of moving them along.
I had a very hard time reading in rehab.. and after. I am jumpy and dont quite concentrate the way I do normally. Hopefully it will ease up as I ease up.. I did finish LeDivorce and found the ending stupid.. The book sailed right along and then boom.. just like someone said.. ok, you have enough pages.. Boo.
-
Step I am so glad to see you returning to Books and Literature
I know you are having a tough time and its doubly nice to see you.
Hope 2010 treats you better.
I am reading a Greg Isles book and he is a wonderful auther. He writes and
lives in Mississippi. IO am fascinated by the history and about Natches.
Doubt if their is much traveling in my future and I sure miss it.
-
Hey, Steph. We've missed you. :-*
-
So glad you feel like coming in here, Steph. :) This has surely been a difficult time for you. You'll probably have trouble concentrating for some time - and find it hard to do any sustained reading. It WILL get better, though. Hugs!
How are your injuries healing? Are you taking any rehab?
-
Greetings Steph,
Glad you are in contact again. Have missed your daily comments each morning. I so enjoyed starting each day with you. Do you have the dogs with you? Animals are so understanding and comforting. Think of you every day and wish you the best in the new year.
Mary
-
Steph, it's good to see you here again, and I'm so sorry for all that you have had to go through. You've been in my thoughts often.
Several of you have mentioned Kathryn Stockett's The Help. I don't like to take big thick hardbacks when I fly, but I'd been on the hold list at the library and my turn came up just before I flew off to Seattle for the holidays, so it went along with me. So good, it kept me engrossed the whole way through, and certainly pinpointed things I never knew about discrimination and prejudice.
I love it when a book turns out to be a "can't put it down." And this is Stockett's first novel.
Happy New Year, everyone.
-
Steph, It took me almost a year before I could read anything that required concentration. When I could settle down to read, I found that short books without a lot of trials and tribulations worked best. I can't remember now what they were. Obviously they were not memorable, but they served their purpose. We just keep on keepn' on. Time doesn't heal all wounds, but it does make them more bearable. My thoughts are with you.
Sally
-
reading in spirs. I take hints from you people. I just downloaded samples of Patricia Sprinkle and haven't looked at them yet. I seem to be taking a rest from all the Kindle stuff. since march I've read 84 books. . .it's time.
steph whatever happened to you you seem to be getting past it. good to see you here. hugs, claire
-
I am almost finished with Julie/Julia and I must say this gal has a very foul mouth. The movie was wonderful but the book has too many four letter words, and sexual connotations. I would be embarrassed and ashamed to put all that "filth" into print. (IMHO) I purchased the Julia Child's cookbook for my 15 year old granddaughter who wants to become a chef. I am not sure how many recjipes she can use though, as she is a vegetarian.
-
I started reading "Julie/Julia", EDITH, but got so fed up with Julie's egoism
that I refused to go on. I'm still interested in seeing the movie, but the
book was really annoying.
-
Babi, the movie is very good, no foul language. I am glad I do not have friends who speak like that. I was going to give the book to my granddaughter to read, as she loved the movie, but after reading the book - NO WAY!
I just googled Julie Powell - it seems she and her husband both had affairs - but still together. Also, she has a new book about butchering.
http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2009-11-24-julia-powell-cleaving_N.htm
-
Welll Patricia Sprinkis a GOOOOD writer at least for me. casual style good images I can relate to Katherine Murray the protagonist who is having her 46th birthday alone . . .and then all sorts of things happen. I am more than half way through in one sitting.
claire
-
I came on Julia Powell early and read her blogs, while she was going through the cookbook. I liked them better than the later book, but loved the movie the most..
I am now officially done with physical therapy and hope to be dismissed next week by the orthopedic surgeon. Since I had blood clots in my lungs from either the accident or the surgery, I will be taking coomadin for several months. Since my body is not overfond of coomadin,.. Ugh.. no appetite.. side effect.. I lost 17 pounds.. Since I need to lose weight,, I guess that is nice, but would rather not have had all this happen.
I still have problems concentrating.. For the first time in my life. tv is interesting..
-
I have had a blood clot and been on cumadin (sp?). I don't remember if it affected my appetite. When I lose my appetite, I supplement with something called Boost (Ensure is another brand, but Boost is lactose free) which gives you what you need in a small volume.
I hope your regimen is not as complicated as mine was (a green pill and half a pink on Tuesday and Thursday, but a blue one on Wednesday-- I don't remember the details, but that was the idea. -- good thing I'm not colorblind).
-
On bloodclots: I'm addicted to a TV show called The Deadliest Catch about Alaskan crab fishermen. These men risk their lives every day in conditions that would scare the phoo out of you and me. But one of the toughest of these tough men developed a bloodclot. And he was terrified of injecting himself everyday with the injectable form of cumidin. I had to laugh. I had to do it, and I'm sure STEPH did too. And while it's not fun, I certainly never made the fuss that this old sea dog, who faces death stoicly every day did. We all have our strengths and weaknesses.
-
If you have thrilled to the exploits of the Scarlet Pimpernel you may enjoy Lauren Willig's The Secret History of the Pink Carnation which is a tongue-in-cheek send-up of that genre. Willig has written more about Carnation's exploits; if they live up to this one I'll read them all. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/w/lauren-willig/secret-history-of-pink-carnation.htm
-
I'm reading a free be from amazon called the RED HOUSE MSTERY and part way into it something about the writing reminded me of Pooh bear coming down stairs on his head. which is appropriate because it was written by a.a. milne also and in particular for his father who enjoyed mysteries and wished there were more of them. MIlne born in 1882 and died in 1926 wrote for Punch and other humerus magazines. It is a very good mystery and from the description of the detective I would say that he looks a great deal like Milne himself, especially the "all seeing, knowing " eyes. good reading and free on line at gutenberg books.
claire
-
Sounds like fun, CLAIRE. I'm really curious to read something that
"reminded me of Pooh bear coming down stairs on his head." I'm going to see if my library has it.
-
Sounds great. I still love Winnie-the-Pooh. Remember, from As Time Goes By:
What are you reading?
Winnie the Pooh
Aren't you too old for Winnie the Pooh?
I hope not!
-
not winnie but THE RED HOUSE also by a.a. milne
-
No, I take a pill of cumadin.. Actually a pill and a half on three days and a pill alone on four.. Sigh. Test once a week now..
I just finished the Jane Austen book club and hated it.. Oh well.
-
I must "crow" a bit here. Last night the UPS man came banging on the door and my somewhat belated Christmas and Birthday present arrived. I got a Kindle! Spent a couple of hours while it charged figuring out how it worked. It's gonna be fun, nd since I have no more room for bookshelves or books, this may be the saving grace for me. I do love the feel of a book in my hand, seeing the cover work, and cover notes, but I will adjust!
-
TOMeREAD ER CONGRATS. IT IS WONDERFUL TO HAVE SUCH CHOICES SO CLOSE AT HAND. IFYOU NEED HELP WITH IT I CAN DO THAT HAVING READ ABOUT 85 BOOKS SINCE MARCH. I JUST NOTICED THE FIRST PART OF YOUR NAME IS MY SO'S NAME. FUNNY HUH. except for the e
HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME. I just finished the red house. it was a exccellent mstery and I enjoyed the tongue in cheek style. aa whole library of thousands of books only a minute away. marvelous.
claire
-
JANE: better late than never. in response to your lists. the following typed elsewhere. I usually edit here with MODIFY. a biggg mistake I know. here goes.
=========
re the best sellers list
I SEEM to have at least tried most of them the help is depressing my sample told me not to go there.
Dan Browns “the lost symbol lasted two days. . .a good read if not exactlylitteral. but I’m not catholic and don’t care about that. I read it on the story telling level.
Patricia Cornwell GROSSES ME Out.
Olive Kitteridge so works for me. I read it as short stories. excellent in small doses
Stieg Larsson a good writer, cudn’t identify in the sample though
hVince Flynn a disappointment compared to Christopher Reich
Michall Connelly OK but slow
below more possibilities PUSH by Sapphire?
THE SHACK by william P. Young
and SAY YOU’RE ONE OF THEM by Uwem Akpen
hmmmm thanks will have a look, several of them in fact. that is what the kidle lets me do. Sample up to three chapters of anything FREE.
claire
-
A book I read recently has been haunting me though I don't know why. A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick is a first novel from an author who shows real promise. It opens with a middle-aged man waiting in the train station in October 1907. He is rich, the town has his name, and everyone in the town owed their living to him in one way or another. He is waiting for the woman who answered his ad for a reliable wife. The train is late, and an early blizzard is imminent. Many of his fellow townsfolk are waiting with him, feigning disinterest. Swwitch to his private rail car where his intended is reflecting as the train nears its destination in northern Wisconsin. The porter announces that the station is 30 minutes away. She rises from her seat, strips off her silks and furs and tosses them out the window. Then ashe dresses on a homely black wool dress she has made herself as the train slows to a stop.
This is the beginning. It caught me up and I could hardly put it down. It is disturbing but impossible to put away without learning what happens next. See here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/07/AR2009040703559.html
-
Jackie, I had looked at The Reliable Wife at the library and decided it wasn't for me, but then I read your comments and the review, and I think I'll have to try it.
n
-
Thanks Jackie, I have just ordered it from my library. Hold position #1. I liked the Post article about it.
-
You're a tough critic, CLAIRE. Actually, though "Help" is dealing
with a very sore subject, it ends on a healing note. The 'help' triumphs
to a considerable degree.
JACKIE, as intriguing as that opening sounds, the Post review decided
me against trying it. Br"..the most serious incantation of longing and
despair ever uttered in the dead of night." Brrr.
And look, NL & ALF both decided in favor of it after reading the review.
I guess I'm just not into 'despair'.
-
Jackie, my f2f group is going to read A Reliable Wife in either April or May. I just sent the DL for that month a copy of your post. (We started out as a mystery club, but have evolved into all genres, fiction and non.) Thanks for the link.
nlhome, you have to read it. It's about Wisconsin. ::)
Why is the name Kristin Hannah familiar to me? I get book notes from the Seattle Times and her name popped up in the recent mail. None of her titles sounded familiar to me. Has she been mentioned here?
-
Babi re: THE HELP I am so tired of fighting that battle. I don't enjoy it as entertainment.
-
Pedlin, the fact that the Reliable Wife is set in Wisconsin was why I looked at in in the first place. But do I want to be reminded of the bleakness of winter?
-
Sounds great. I still love Winnie-the-Pooh. Remember, from As Time Goes By:
What are you reading?
Winnie the Pooh
Aren't you too old for Winnie the Pooh?
I hope not!
JoanK, I love that scene from "As Time Goes By."
Speaking of Judi Dench ;) A new "Return to Cranford" with Judi Dench is showing tonight (with part two next week) on PBS in many areas. Join us in talking about the series and/or the Cranford book too at http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=1023.80. The program will be available online too if your local PBS station isn't showing it.
-
Not ready for doom and gloom.. Book sounds interesting though and I will put it on my.. later list.
-
I can understand that, CLAIRE. I don't have the energy for some of the
things I used to do faithfully.
NL, maybe you should save the Wisconsin winter for reading in warmer
weather.
-
I know that I for one in sunny Florida have had all of the cold that I want for years.. Boo.. Bring back our lovely sun.
-
Sounds pretty chilly there in Florida, Steph. Don't blame you for wishing for return of warm sunny days.
Speaking of cold weather, someone posted this poem to another group and I got a kick out of it.
WINTER Poem
It's winter in North Dakota
And the gentle breezes blow
Seventy miles an hour
At thirty-five below.
Oh, how I love North Dakota
When the snow's up to your butt
You take a breath of winter
And your nose gets frozen shut.
Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I'll hang around
I could never leave North Dakota
I'm frozen to the friggin' ground!
Brrrr... Marj
-
marj: ;D
-
;D
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh I do love the poem. I remember the ten New England years and every winter, the snow just remained from December through March and sometimes April to my dispair.. It is supposed to warm up now
-
Marj, My step-grandson is in the Air Force stationed in Minot, N.D. He was born & raised in Texas and would agree with you 100%!! I feel sorry for him, but am glad he is there and not in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Sally
-
Well, last evening I finished reading The Reliable Wife. I enjoyed the suspense, the mystery and the "psychology" of the story but I could have done with a little less of the explicit sex scenes. The story is a good story about forgiveness and the need for warmth from another human being but this is just HOT! I am not a prude but the novel could have stood on its own without the repeated sexual narration. I'll give it a 7. (Who asked?) ::)
-
Amen!, SALLY.
ALF, I feel the same way about books padded out with numerous explicit
sex scenes. I don't continue reading when I realize I've gotten
hold of one. I can't help feeling the author must not have much confidence in his/her ability to hold the reader's interest.
-
Once, a long, long, time ago, I read a Harold Robbins book. He had a reputation for writing steamy books. Be that as it may, I read one anyway because the story line looked interesting. I thought the writing and story were excellent, so it was beyond me why he felt it necessary to put in so much potty mouthing and sex scenes. I think fully half the book could have been axed. But then, maybe he was being paid by page or word count? Needless to say, it was the only book of his I read.
-
The sex was over the top but I knew someone who was consumed by thoughts of sex. He was the best friend of my ex so I don't know if he was as candid with others as he was with his own group of friends.Maybe that's why the emphasis on sex rang true to me. It is very sad to see someone afflicted with addictive styles of behavior and, like other addictions, the cost affects many.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_addiction
-
Finished The Help. It is the best fiction book i've read in a while. I'd almost like to read a sequel. What happens to Skeeter in NYC, what happens to the maids as things change in the South? I liked Stockett's prologue of info about why she wrote the book and how ambivilent she felt. ............... i'm going to check w/ some friends who have, or are going to, read it for a book group, i'd like to know what the conversation is around the book. I think some of you have read it in book groups? What was the discussion about?..................jean
-
mabel, I read this in book group. I can honestly tell you that we had more attendees for this discussion than any other book over the past year. All was favorable. Some younger folks came that night, and were totally unaware of how "things were" for domestics during that era. Yes, for me too, it was the best fiction I'd read all year. Our library book group usually runs about 6 to 8 people, mostly older. We had to add an additional table w/chairs for the extras. I didn't write it down but I think we had 12. Since the book was fairly new, at first we had a problem getting enough copies through our library to have the discussion, but it worked out all right. We discussed the strength of the characters, especially the maids; the sense of impending tragedy (had anyone found out about their writing circle); the book seemed so real, and really drew all of us into the story. Great writing!
-
Posted by mistake
-
O k.. I finally give in. Will get the Help and read it.. Been putting it off long enough. I certainly lived long enough in the south to witness a lot of that.
-
I have Help on my Kindle and have put off reading it, but after all your comments I will read it as soon as I finish Heart of Ice by Gregg Olsen. After reading Starvation Heights I try to read all his books and enjoy them. I read a Wicked Snow last week and enjoyed it.
Now that I have semi- charge of the library here everytime I go to put up books I see something that looks good I take it. If I hear about things I am interested in here I put them on the Kindle and have tons of books in my bookcase I haven't read so I am deep in it.
Hi Steph I was thinking about our lunch in Charleston a few years ago, that was such fun.
-
Yes, I do agree Judy.. Maybe time for Ginny to organize the bookies in some sort of adventure?? May early spring? I think we all had such fun.
-
A new author is exciting comments here in the Northwest. Jim Lynch has published only two novels but has many short stories to his credit as well as a stint reporting for the Portland Oregonian. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/l/jim-lynch/
His latest, Border Songs illuminates the area where Washington state and British Columbia are separated only by a ditch. Brandon Vanderkool gres up on his father's dairy farm nex to that ditch; now he comes back as a rookie Border Guard. He is physically almost grotesque, 6'8" with muscles to match. Brandon is a lifelong birder. He discovers a pond has become the overnight stop for a gaggle of snow geese, one of the largest flocks he'd ever seen. When eagles begin to pay attention to them they take flight in alarm. Here is part of a paragraph to savor:
And the sound! A solo snow goose flying overhead sounds lost and pathetic. Hel-lo? But with thousands honking simultaneously it is a wildly different noise, like the tribal roar you hear in stadiums, yet even greater than that. more like an enormous avalanche or the howl of the earth itself, the high-pitched hum of the sphere, if you could actually hear it, hurtling through space at sixty-six thousand miles an hour. . .[/
-
JACKIE: As an (almost) lifelong birder, I have to read that book.
-
Not a birder, but it does sound interestingl.
-
JACKIE, that does sound good! I'll check and see if Jim Lynch has made
it way down here in Texas. We're border land, too, but much less peaceful than Washington/Canada.
-
Went to Borders yesterday and found several interesting books that I had never heard of. They are downstairs, but I will remember to write down titles and tell you when I read them.
-
I am reading a novel called "Roses". It is a multigenerational tale. It takes place in Texas. (I thought of you, Babi) I was hooked from page 3. It is the tale of three families, and begins in 1901. So far, I have read 2 chapters. I really think it is the type of book, in which I can get lost.
Sheila
-
I love the old multigenerational. I always think of Michener. If you didnt live where he was writing about, you loved him. I gather that if you lived in Texas or Hawaii or the eastern shore, you were not that happy with him.
-
How nice of you to think of me, Sheila. "Roses" does sound interesting;
Can you tell me the author? If I just put in "Roses" I'll get 50 books about
raising roses.
Aha! I loved "Hawaii" and the one about the Chesapeake bay...in fact,
most of Michener's books. But I didn't care much for "Texas". Good to
hear that's usual with other Michener fans, STEPH.
-
Roses by Leila Meacham. I've just put it on hold at my library. Thanks!
-
Include me in the list of those who didn't care for Michner's books about familiar areas - "Centennial" and "Texas" being the ones with which I was most disgusted. Nevertheless, I read every one of them!
My Michener favorites are "The Novel" and "The Source".
I'm a little more than 1/3 of the way through "Roses" - plot still concentrating on two characters so only a hint at the "saga" development. I've all ready come across a vague reference to "Gone With The Wind", cleverly inserted into the narrative. :)
-
Roses looks good. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/m/leila-meacham/roses.htm
-
Jackie, it is. I'm enjoying it more now that I'm past the first section - which probably won't be as tedious for anyone else. :)
-
Now that I have the author of Roses, will look it up.
-
Thanks for posting the author of "Roses", MARY. Apparently my library
had a copy, but availability is now listed as "0 of 1". That usually means
a copy didn't make it back.
-
I will download "Roses" to my Kindle and read it.
I have read a lot of Michener. I liked most of his books but then I would because I like history.
Joan Grimes
-
The thing about Michener, at least in the Chesapeake book.. since I came from that area.. Some of it was quite accurate, but he slipped in some doozies of mistakes about various parts of the country.. But I still enjoyed most of his books.
-
Steph, that's exactly what bothered me about "Centennial" and "Texas". In "Centennial", Michener "moved" a big geological formation clear across the state and had the main character drive from Centennial to Durango between breakfast and lunch - which is impossible to do, especially over the route described.
I know there's "author's license" - but those two things were really far-fetched.
However, I do like the stories in general very much.
I've finished "Roses" - but will wait to comment until others have done so.
-
jackie: BORDER SONGS is lovely and I know the area. my kids live over the line on texada island BC. It is a beautiful aea, dubbed "the sunshine coast". I might give it to son for his birthday Mr. first. The kindle works up there but not in all the areas and I think thy are OFF THE GRID. they are too busy to read now anyway raising FOOD and community stuff and real estate which is slow but all the rest is constant responsibility.
THE HIGHEST TIDE sounds good too by Jim Lynch but so far I don't see a indle version. I have to use it in order to blow up the print six times. on all my old books print is too small for me to read.
ROSES sound like a very long journy. . .and a Michner style leaping about. the same for NEW YORK. not for me now . . . maybe later.
claire
-
Michners characters end too soon with six hundred year leaps between characters. very frustrating for me. his early books the best EXCEPT for killing off his characters just as I learn to love them.
claire
-
Claire: So glad you liked Border Songs. Jim Lynch has a very distinct voice; his books are memorable not only for the characters but for the situations he places them in. My married name is Lynch but there are no Lynch relations in the US. The family who emigrated had only two children, one was a nun, other had one child, adopted, my ex.
-
hey jackie my ex husbands lady friend is sally lynch. she has kids and there is probably more family around. maybe I shouldn't say her name out loud but it is rpetty safe in here. she is very ill, but hanging on.
-
Yes, Michener in Chesapeake, moves things around like crazy.. Puts the quaker population in Maryland mostly and they are very very big in Delaware.. The long guns were funny. Noone I ever knew and I knew a lot of duck hunters had ever heard of them.
-
Michener seemed to me to be good at the spirit of a story even when the "letter" of the details was skewed for literary effect.
-
I really liked Chesapeake, it' s my favorite JM book................it IS fiction. Messing w/ details doesn't bother me in fiction books.........jean
-
Here I am more of a purist. Many of us get our notions of a time or place from fiction, not non-fiction. I believe the author has a duty not to make up or mix up "facts" (as opposed of couse to the characters and incidents of the story) or to tell us in an epilogue if he/she does.
-
Hear Hear Joan.. I like authors who make you realize you could use them as mapquest. Robert Parker who just died did that in Boston. I lived outside of Boston for ten years and it was amazing how accurate he was.
Charlotte McLeod also writes about Boston in one of her series and describes a neighborhood right down to the curtains.
So I resented some of Chesapeake..Coming from Delaware, the people were different, but not quite as different as he wanted to pretend.
-
Louis L'Amour used to claim that if he wrote of a pool of water in the
wilderness, that pool was there and the water was fit to drink. I won't
swear that was entirely true, but it certainly added to my pleasure in reading his books.
I agree with JOAN and STEPH. I like my historical and geographical
background to be correct.
-
I think we all really feel that way.
Joan Grimes
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another author who makes me want to visit their area.. Rita Mae Brown.. Her town sounds so real and I Have been to Charlottesville and it is so very beautiful.. I know the little towns are probably a delight. Now if only I liked cold weather.
-
The next Mrs. Murphy book in my pile to read is "Tale of the Tip Off". I some to go before I catch up.
-
The Christmas book by Brown was interesting. She brings in the murderer way out from left field.. Hmm. But Tucker was a genuine hero in this one.. I always wondered if she has a corgi. I know that she has cats.
-
A little book, A Year of Cats and Dogs by Margaret Hawkins, has strangely caught my interest. This novel, written in a diary-like format, uses the I Ching divination's to head each page or two division. I Ching can be defined as :the dynamic balance of opposites, the evolution of events as a process, and acceptance of the inevitability of change. (Wikipedia) Example: "Lin / Approach
Good approaches the superior person"
Maryanne, on the brink of celebrating "the big 5-0", is abandoned by her lover of ten years. She withdraws from her social life. her dog walking buddies, and, eventually from her job. She asks, "What happens when nothing happens?" The anchor of her days is caring for her Rottweiler, Bob, and her cat, Clement, with occasional dog sitting of her neighbor's collie, Gregoire. Though she feels she is surrounded by death she is not depressed, she does not take drugs, she simply does nothing. Like I said, this is a strange tale but it has me enthralled. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/h/margaret-hawkins/year-of-cats-and-dogs.htm
-
Does sound intriguing, Jackie.
Joan Grimes
-
I am reading another first novel. This one from a woman who grew up in society in Charleston. Belonged to the Camillia club.. and cotillion and came out.. At this point in the novel, she has moved to Ny and is drinking herself to death.. It is good, but sometimes, you just want to shake her good and hard.
-
I'm reading James Michener's Caravans. I read somewhere that, if you want to know about life in Afghanistan, read his book. Not much has changed there since he wrote the book. It's not like his other huge novels that start at the beginning of time and span generations. It's shorter and much easier to read.
My f2f group has chosen Out Stealing Horses this month. It's written by a Norwegian author, Per Petterson, and was translated into English not long ago. I'm enjoying it very much.
-
Does it say what Maryanne lives on, JACKIE? It's amazing how savings
disappear when one is not working.
I was interested in the Per Petterson book they first time someone
mentioned it, but couldn't find it in any nearby libraries. I think I'll take
another look and see if it's turned up anywhere.
-
Maryanne has savings enough to last for six months if she wants or one year if she budgets. She is free-lancing for her old firm, also. Plus she finds another opportunity working part time for the shelter where she found Bob, whose formal name is Roberto to go along with the cat who is formally Clemente but called Clement. There is not much nothing in this .little book, 207 pages, but it is so savory that I find myself lingering along the way as I read, not my usual breakneck pace at all.
-
I am still slogging along on the novel. She seems to have thrown her life away, although I would bet that at the end, there will be peace.. Still if this is a memoir, the lady needs to clean up her act.
-
I would like to tell you of a book I just finished and highly reccomend it.
Roses by Leila Meacham. I put it on my Kindle and couldn't put it down .
-
I've just started Roses on my Kindle, too - I'm liking it.
-
Roses is on my wish list at the paperback swap club.. So sooner or later, I will get to read it.
-
Greetings -
I started Roses yesterday and am not quite sure how I am going to keep myself doing what needs to be done today instead of spending all my time reading. There is also the fact that I would like to drag this one out a bit so I can enjoy it longer. And yet on the other hand - on a cold gray day - what can be better than curling up with a good book.
Have a good day all.
Mary
-
Mary I could not stop reading it. It was funny last night at dinner I was talking to a lady and she said she couldn't figure it out but everytime she went in to make her bed she found herself laying in it. Shes also mad at me because I have her Starvation Heights to read and she can't put it down.
-
Greetings -
Well other than taking a short time out to pay the bills for this month and a couple of quick meals I did nothing else today except read. I just now finished Roses. It's been a while since I've had a book that I could not put down. Wow!! A good read.
Mary
-
OK Judy.. First Mexican hat and now stealing books from little old ladies.. Wait wait.. Thats what we are..
-
;D
-
Steph maybe I should read what I write before I hit post. I meant I gave her the book and not have her book. She's unhappy because she can't put it down. Her son had me show her my Kindle as he wants here to get one. She has some reservations about it because she needs very large print. I am told that her grandson works at Amazon so she could probably get a discount always a plus in my world.
-
Steph: I was browsing Yahoo Groups and found there is one for friends of Corgis and thought of you.
-
I belong to Corgi-L, and two spinoffs Corgiwives ( which is a widows group) and corgibooklovers( a brand new bookclub for books with dogs). Like all of them.. The bookclub discussion is not quite settled down. Seniorlearn is much much better for discussions.
Aha Judy, a likely story.. I know what you mean. I wish I knew someone close who has a kindle. I think I want one, but am not quite sure.
-
I wish I could loan you mine. ;)
-
Oregon Public Radio's Early Bird drawing prize for today is an iPad. Too bad I've paid my dues already.
-
The lady that I told you about has had her grandson order her one. She says that she will be on my doorstep for months, thats what you get for touting your Kindle. hehe
-
I think Amazon should give SeniorLearn and SeniorsandFriends donations for all the advertising you are doing for the Kindle ;D ;D ;D............i'm sure between all the discussions at least 2 dozen have been sold :P................jean
-
I gather from reading that there are several new things out that are like Kindle, but none are compatible. I do so wish companies would not do that.. Makes it hard on readers.
I am reading My Lobotomy by Howard Dully.. It is a memoir written years later by a man who had a lobotomy at age 12.. The sins committed in the name of medicine is remarkable.
-
It sounds as if there's probably going to be a VHS/Beta and then the Blue Ray ans whatever the other format was problem with the various ebook things. I guess there must be 4 now? Kindle, the Sony one, the B&N "nook," and now the I-Pad.
I also saw the news that Amazon caved to Macmillan and will charge what Macmillan wants, not the $9.99 for new titles that it did formerly. It sounds as if things could get very interesting in the e-book world over the next months.
I really want one...but now don't know what to get. Guess I'll sit and see how all of this resolves itself.
jane
-
There was a little blurp in our Sun paper saying "A priest in Poland is using an electronic reader for schoolchildren to leave their fingerprints in order to monitor their attendence at Mass".......the columnist commented "And i tho't checking for envelopes was strict."..............
That seems so wrong on so many different levels, but i tho't you'd appreciate knowing another way readers are being used. :P
jean
-
Jean, I can understand your concern, but the kids seem to like it. Apparently if they attend enough mass over a period of time they can skip the exams required for confirmation.
The kids love the idea.
Reuters interviewed one young churchgoer:
“This is comfortable. We don’t have to stand in a line to get the priest’s signature (confirming our presence at the mass) in our confirmation notebooks,” said one pupil, who gave her name as Karolina. Poland is perhaps the most devoutly Roman Catholic country in Europe today and churches are regularly packed on Sundays.
While the fingerprinting idea seems to have gone down well with the kids, it must make some adults nervous that someone out there (possibly in the Vatican?) has access to a huge database of tiny fingerprints.
-
That is interesting. I can understand why the Kids like it .
Joan Grimes
-
Electronic.. The kids love anything like that. They dont consider later, when they might not be happy for someone to be able to track them.
-
Poetry
My library f2f book group, since Valentine's Day is imminent, chose to do Poetry for our February reading! I just want to tell you, that poetry and love for it is not dead! We had 13 people attend, which is amazing. The format was: Bring your favorite poem or two, bring a poem you have written. These will be read aloud and discussed briefly, not in any academic way of course! I can't begin to tell you what a hit this was, and since we had such wonderful response, our librarian group leader has said that we might do it again this year! As for the menu, we had e.e.cummings (twice) Carl Sandburg; Edna St. Vincent Millay; Kay Ryan; 4 people read their own poems, or ones written by a family member; plus there were others that I had not heard of, or poems that we knew most of the lines of; (leave it to me to forget the poets' names). But, wow. we were all so uplifted and most lingered on past our appointed hour, to chat and rehash. If you are in a f2f group, you might give this a try. It goes without saying that not specified, short poems were in order rather than epic odes!
-
Tomereader:That sounds great.
When I'm on Seniorlearn, I always go into the poetry discussion last. It sends me on into the day feeling uplifted.
-
No, Joan, not IN the poetry discussion, although from time to time, I pop in and read the posts.
-
I saw you were there, and changed my post.
-
A different approach. Every time I have joined any of the poetry book groups, they tend to want to read their own.. Just doesnt work well for me.
-
Guess I'll sit and see how all of this resolves itself.
That's generally a good tactic, JANE. The first wave of new products are
always expensive and generally still have a few bugs that need to be
worked out. The later models have more competition and are generally
cheaper and work better.
STEPH, the poetry discussion here only has one bona fide poet,
Fairanna, and her poetry is beautiful. Sometimes she will share some of it with us. The rest of us just post seasonal topical poems that we enjoy.
-
Steph: We have also spent the month on one poet, posting and discussing poems by that poet. Right now we are sharing poems about winter: snow, ice, storm, cold, etc. Drop in and try us.
-
Possibly will try the poetry. My problem is I have strong likes and dislikes in poetry..
-
I admit that if I think I'm not going to like a poem, I just skip it. (Don't tell).
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So? Who reads every word of every post?
-
Steph, you said I am reading another first novel. This one from a woman who grew up in society in Charleston. Belonged to the Camillia club.. and cotillion and came out.. At this point in the novel, she has moved to Ny and is drinking herself to death.. It is good, but sometimes, you just want to shake her good and hard.
I missed the title and author, would you give them again, that sounds interesting...............jean
-
I have now finished Help and Roses both on my Kindle
Now I am not sure what to read next. Maybe I will
start South of Broad, anyway Pat Conroy's new book.
I wonder who is going to win the super bowl??
-
I'm a horrible sports junkie, but I can't get excited about the Super bowl unless my team is in it (the Washington redskins-- don't hold your breath!) It's so hooplahed up!!!
-
JoanK,
I love football.But it is college football that I love so much. I have never followed a pro football team. Hence I don't usually watch the Super Bowl. I wish I did have a favorite pro team to follow.
Joan Grimes
-
First novel I was reading... Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch.. In the end, it wandered. I suspect she will turn out to be a good author, but this one did quite a bit of wandering.
-
Thanks Steph......................
I also am a college football fan, especially since my son played at Gettysburg and then coached at colleges from Davidson in NC to Montana State. The atmosphere is just so wonderful, of course, i hate it that we don't get to see half-time shows on tv any more..........altho if they were all as bad as U2 last night, i don't mind......... :D .........jean
-
I like college football too, but I am far away from my team (U. Maryl;and). LA is a great college football town (UCLA, USC) but I'm not interested in them.
-
Jean I thought that was the Who was U2 there too?
-
Definitely the Who..
I am rereading my journals from our travels in the RV.. Since the RV is one of the things I really have to sell, I will have the journals to remember with.
-
Tough to do, Steph - but such wonderful times to remember.
-
Judy - you're right, it was The Who........see, they were so boring - for me - that i forgot who they were.......LOL......of course, the pain med i'm taking isn't helping my rational processing either............my point still stands, i miss the half-time shows...................jean
-
I dont like football, but I used to love the regular marching band shows in the college level.
-
I loved the bands, too, Steph - but now all they do is show "talking heads" - yuck!
-
What is so additionally sad about "no marching bands time" on TV, these band members usually have to raise money to make the trip (I presume they do that also in college) and they probably have family members who are not able to make the trip to see them perform. And the #1 reason, the bands work so darn hard. I mean, it's practice, practice, practice to get all the drills right, not to mention the music. I had a high schooler in band, many years ago, and they made a trip to Miami to play at half-time of a dolphins game. Had I not been a chaperone, I would not have been able to see this performance, and no one at home saw it, because they didn't show half time.
-
The almighty dollar tramples us once again.
-
I spoof a song from "Cabaret": "Money makes the world go awry"!
-
Tomereader: ;D
-
I watch figure skating Evan Lyacel gave a new best personal performance that was amazing. . .not just athletic but artistic for a change. won first. on channel 805 UNIVERSAL SPORTS in HD. it's the ladies turn. . .must go.
claire
-
I am knee deep in a genealogy report.. Someone from facebook got in touch. I dont mind looking, but the format she used is somewhat confusing.. Sigh.
-
I find facebook very confusing to navigate.
Joan Grimes
-
Joan - and it's (f-bk) worse since they "redesigned" the "homepage." I totally lost my "friends and family" group, have to do it again. ............jean
-
I am reading Pat Conroy's latest book and it sure doesn't grab me. I usually love his books but among other things its pretty wordy I think. I will finish it but I hope it gets better.
I go in for a nuculear stress test on Monday and probably will have a couple of stints put in on tuesday. My cardiologist is sure I have some blocked arteries so we shall see.
I have had so many tests lately, its makes me thankful I have insurance.
-
Judy, I didn't care for Conroy's Beach Music and Prince of Tides, but I loved South of Broad. It's more like his earlier books, IMO.
Good luck with your tests and procedures next week.
-
I go in for a nuculear stress test on Monday and probably will have a couple of stints put in on tuesday. My cardiologist is sure I have some blocked arteries so we shall see.
I have had so many tests lately, its makes me thankful I have insurance.
Good luck with the test, Judy.
I am so very tired of doctors , tests, and treatments. Getting old is not for sissies.
Joan Grimes
-
Amen
-
doctors: saw min on wed. we agreed on October for the next one usually three or four months, but there isn't anything fixable about me. . .just old is all. I had to argue with his staff though they wanted the four month routine. I won.
-
They wanted me to have a colonoscopy and a mamogram. They aren't required after 75 and I'm nearly there so I said "No".
-
Hmm,, I got a note that I am due for a colonoscopy.. But first my regular doctor says not until we get the coumadin on an even keel.. and two with my husband dead, I need to find someone willing to take me and wait with me until I can go home. Oh me, I am sure that people will say.. sure,, but since you never know when they are available, this should get interesting.
-
That's good news, JACKIE, because I had already decided I wasn't going
to have any more mammograms. I simply can't twist myself into a pretzel anymore to fit into those atrocious machines. They really need to re-design those things.
-
On the contrary - I wouldn't miss my annual mammograms - nor would our four daughters. I have had breast cancer, successfully treated with lumpectomy and radiation. It was found on my routine mammogram. I'll be 74 next month and now 5 years cancer-free. Do NOT arbitrarily decide to stop getting mammograms.
-
mammeograms: I stopped getting them at eighty. still do self exams and see doc every four months although I've pushed that up to seven or eight months now. I can't believe I lived this long My sister died of breast cancer age fifty seven. Ithink if I were going to I would have by now since it run in families.
claire :P
-
steph transportation to and from hospitals can be done here by their system or a county system or another special medical system here for a small amount. you might check into it. transportation wise II can still drive on this license for another years although my vision makes it questionable and there are cabs too if you can spend money. I know it's a whole new world. I still drive but I did get interviewed by ACCESS the county bus for us oldies and could use it. It's just easier to use the little red Nissan truck or not make unnecessary appointments when I think I can. I hate hospitals and some tests have to happen their . . . . so they DON'T.
Claire
-
Poetry: do you remember the POETRY CHALLANGE. That's how I met Jan Sand. His poetry is a combination of philosophy, politics, and very beautiful and often funny. He lives in Helsinki and we are still in touch only now he gets up in the small hours and goes to feed his DUCKS. We all submitted our own and it was fun. That's how I met Zinnia too. There is room for that but it should be separate I think.
I'm not usually a poet fan but Edna stVincet Millet captured me a few years back. how to spell that? even spell check doesn't know.
claire
-
that isn't the poet I mean. I mean NANCY MILFORD her book is called SAVAGE BEAUTY. I looked to see how to spell EDNA ETC. AND FOUND I DIDN'T EVEN REMEMBER THE RIGHT NAME. so much for poetry and me.
-
Judy - good luck on the test and if you have to have stents.......i had 3 put in 4 yrs ago and have been fine ever since, getting stress tests every yr.............. But my cardiologist wants me to have 2 more ultrasounds on carotid and aortic arteries................i'm susupicious that they're just a money maker since it's done at his Heart Center, but what can we do? My GP does nothing these days but refer us to specialists or for tests............hhhuuummm.........it's a puzzlement................jean
-
Good luck on your tests, Judy. I believe that the stents are the procedure that President Clinton just had.
FYI, everyone, If you go to the PBS website at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/index.html#giveaway in the middle of the page, one of the blurbs let's you click to sign up for a giveaway of a set of Jane Austen DVDs. When you complete the form you can either sign up for the email newsletter that announces upcoming PBS programs or just enter the contest.
PBS is going to show an adaptation of John Buchan's The 39 Steps on Masterpiece Classic on February 28. Read more about it at http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/masterpiece/39steps/39steps.html
Written in the depth of World War I by British public servant John Buchan (later to become Governor General
of Canada), The 39 Steps was eagerly read by soldiers in the trenches, and since then has been adapted several
times for screen, most famously by Alfred Hitchcock in 1935. (A stage adaptation of Hitchcock’s 39 Steps is
currently on Broadway).
To make this experience even more enjoyable, PBS is offering our SeniorLearn readers a free copy of the book but for the postage. These free copies will be available to the first ten people who post a request in our PBS discussion at http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=1023.msg59466#msg59466 or who email JoanP at jonkie@verizon.net. Don't miss this one! We'll be talking about both the book and the TV show.
-
Go Judy, you and the ex pres.. Stents are in this year.
-
CLAIRE, you probably had trouble finding the right spelling because the
last name is Millay. Edna St.Vincent Millay.
I also had a breast cancer, but it turned out to be a 'ductal carcinoma'
(found only in the breast) and 'in situ' as well. The latter means it
was encapsulated and could not spread. I've had regular mammograms
since then, over five years ago, with no problem found. However, I
it was only with great difficulty and discomfort that I could get into all the positions the technician required. Another year and I know I will
not be able to manage it at all.
-
darn it mammeogrames hurt. nuff said. all that pressure to compress the breast and they don't always do the job either. More attention to womens health requirements has been a long term issue.
claire
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Spamming...
As promised, the poll to determine our Spring Book Club Online in-depth discussions is now open - We will stay open until Feb. 26.
You may vote once.
Notice the titles in the Suggestion Box heading are linked to reviews.
Note the two different categories:
1. Your first choice
2. All the titles that interest you for future discussion
VOTE HERE - (click this link) (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/X9T285W)
|
-
Have been reading Linda Fairsteins "Lethal Legacy". It has to do with libraries and specifically, the big research ones.. She loves to research and the book tells you a lot about how they work. Fun. Lots of details on the New York Public Library.. I know she is generally accurate, so it is interesting.
-
My f2f discussion group just finished Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson. He's a Norwegian author and this is his first book to be translated into English. It's an excellent story about a man's life in Norway. Almost biographical except that the author jumps back and forth in his life. I found it a bit confusing, but loved the story and the characters anyway.
For February, we're reading The Beet Queen by Louise Erdrich. I've never read any books by her but have heard her stories are mainly about Native Americans. I'll let you know what I think once I get it from the library. It's an older book and they had to request it from one of their outlying branches.
Nancy
-
I would be interested in learning more about research. I love looking
things up and finding out new things. I'm going to check and see if my
library has 'Lethal Legacy'.
I've been wanting to read "Out Stealing Horses", but the only Per
Petterson book my library has is "To Siberia". It doesn't sound like
pleasant reading. Do you know anything about that one, Nancy?
-
I read Beet Queen but forgot to read others by Erdrich.
-
Read Erdrich years ago but did not really like her books. I thought I should like her works and I really tried to like her but just did not care for the books she wrote. I don't think I would feel any other way now either.
Joan Grimes
-
Steph, I really enjoy Linda Fairstein's books, partly because of the interesting things one learns about New York. And of course, the Jeopary questions :D . Have you read her first one in the series -- Final Jeopary?
-
I always read Fairstein when she comes out in paper. She loves research and does some really wonderful history in each book.
Dont like Louise Erdrich.. Am with Joan Grimes.. Thought I should like her. Both she and her husband write.. But I simply did not like a single character in any of her books.
-
I don't like Louise Erdich, either. I really wanted to like her and tried a couple of books, but they just did not resonate with me. I usually like books about native Americans, but.....
What were the best books you read this past year (or two)? Most of us read alot, so if a book stands out after several months, it qualifies. The Book Thief was definitely one that stood out for me; so I am looking forward to our discussion next month. It is not usually the kind of book I pick up to read. I kept hearing about it and reading about it, so decided to give it a try.
Which one of you coined the phrase "intellectual interlude"? I love it and use it all the time instead of "senior Moment". It just sounds so much more classy!
Sally
-
I understand, JOANG. There are a couple of good authors that I feel I
really should read, but I simply find their books dull. They are not how
I want to spend my reading time.
I don't remember who first introced intellectual interlude, SALLY, but
I latched onto it, too. Sounds so much better. ;)
-
Well, I had The CHildren's Book by A.S. Byatt, home from the library for about two weeks. Started it, excellent writing, but so many characters and so much detail that I was overwhelmed and kept thinking, "Get on with it, get on with it. What is this book going to be about." And that was almost up to page 100, and according to Nancy Pearl, I only have to read 26. Then came the book within a book and I thought "Nuts, I'm not going to spend all this time on that." Then I started thumbing through it, and spent most of Sunday afternoon just thumbing here, thumbing, there, making a few connections, read the ending. A pretty good book with lots of interesting people. So, now I know most of what's happened and I probably missed out on a really good book. But I know I'll never go back to it.
Do you ever do anything like that?
-
Oh me, yes. There are certain authors who simply will not get on with the plot. They dither and dodge and generally drive me nuts..So I skip and jump.. Not fair and I am sure I miss stuff, but I simply dislike diversions in a good book.
-
It is no doubt unkind of me, but such authors remind me of people who
consider their every thought and idea remarkable, and want to give you
the benefit of it. ;)
-
ahahahah thank you for that Babi, that statement make my day. I could not have said it any better. ;D
It is no doubt unkind of me, but such authors remind me of people who
consider their every thought and idea remarkable, and want to give you
the benefit of it.
-
I've been wanting to read "Out Stealing Horses", but the only Per
Petterson book my library has is "To Siberia". It doesn't sound like
pleasant reading. Do you know anything about that one, Nancy?
No, I don't. Out Stealing Horses was brand new to me. One of the ladies in my book group selected it.
Sorry. ~~Nancy
-
Read Erdrich years ago but did not really like her books. I thought I should like her works and I really tried to like her but just did not care for the books she wrote. I don't think I would feel any other way now either.
Joan Grimes
Joan,
The book just arrived at my local library (it needed to be sent from another branch), so I'll start reading it tonight. I'll let you know what I think. I've been wanting to read a book by Louise Erdrich for a long time. I hope I'm not disappointed.
Nancy
-
Ever since Steph mentioned Fairstein's Lethal Legacy I've been dying to get hold of it, and my library doesn't have it. Today, I found a new source, maybe. I was talking about it at bridge club, and one of the gals said, "I'll check our library. We've got a great one." She lives in a retirement condo and everyone donates their books to the house library. Whoop de do, we've got two retirement condos in town. They both have libraries.
Those of you who live in retirement condos -- JUdyL and others? -- how do you handle check-outs in your library? Do people have to sign for books when they check them out, or is it like where my aunt lived, you just pick what you want and bring it back when you finish?
-
Pedlin.. Another good source for books is large rv parks. They always have a lending library and their big deal is generally bring one, take one..
-
Steph had mentioned Lethal Legacy on another site and i remembered that i had read it and enjoyed it............as i remember it was a little slow getting into, but finished well. That was my first FAirstein book, but i will read more of them...............jean
-
I picked up Earthly Joys by Phillipa Gregory yesterday at the library. I looked at Virgin.....something....about the Virginia colony, but it looked like it was a follow up to EJ w/ the same characters. Does anyone know if that is a series? I've read her Boelyne books and liked those, but i tho't her other "queen" books stood alone and assumed her other books did also........................jean
-
Gregory is a prolific writer, so there may be several series. She also likes to write about the same period in English history, so you may run into the characters several different ways.
-
thanks for that feedback Steph - and also on the mystery page...........jean
-
Been reading Bookmarks, but dont enjoy it the way I used to.. Too many books, I would not want to read, besides,, they seem to have been stuck on short stories this month. Not a favorite of mine at all.
-
Someone mentioned,..somewhere..a book by Sheila Kohler called "Becoming Jane Eyre". It sounded interesting so I gave it a try.
Kohler is undoubtedly a skilled writer, but the book left me cold. It
consists almost entirely of reverie or memories as narrated by an
observer. Even the rare occasions when there is current interaction, it
is detached and mundane. I soon reached the point where I really didn't
care, and returned the book to the library.
-
Just back from a few days at the coast with my sister. We trade books and authors back and forth. She had one I loved, The Red Hat Club, by Haywood Smith. Five women who have been friends since high school sorority days meet monthly for 36 years; then it seems that the men in their lives become strangers one by one. They share their lives and loves, cry together and provide hugs. They have Traditions governing their taboos. When I finished I wanted to go to Atlanta and drop in on the next lunch!
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/haywood-smith/red-hat-club.htm
-
Jackie - i'm reading another Haywood Smith - it's upstairs, but i think the title is The Red Hat Club Rides Again................enjoying it also..........I also read Queen Bee of Mimosa Branch by Smith.......it was good............jean
-
Jean: Glad to hear about other Haywood Smith books. I really like her chick lit for the rest of us.
-
I read at least two of the Haywood Smith books. One of the Red Hat and another one that the title escapes me, but I liked very much.. She is very southern of course and that attracts me.
-
I, also, enjoy the Haywood Smith books--light, funny and southern!
Sally
-
Pedln I don't go to the library. We have our own library here and I have my kindle and 3 shelves of books still to read in my apartment.
Once or twice a month the library system comes here and puts up a colection of books and tapes for the guests. I have not looked at it but I am sure its good.
I just go to the doctor. I have had a blood test, heart scan 2 chest Xrays at the hospt.
An angogram a lung scan and 2 more chest x rays in the last 2 weeks. That doesn't leave much time to play. hehe
-
There are tiimes when our social life consists of talking to doctors!
-
Ain't it the truth!................jean
-
Well, Judy, I hope they're saying that everything is good!!
-
I hope that the doctors are telling Judy that all is well. I know her husband has had his problems.
I am very envious of the place she is in.. Books everywhere, it looks like.
-
Three shelves of books waiting to be read, JUDY?!! Goodness, are they
that unappealing? :o I wouldn't get another library book for ages.
Unless, of course, we were going to discuss it on Seniorlearn. ;D
-
Babi - i say every time i return books to the library that i am not going to get any new ones - i've got plenty of books on my shelves at home that i need to read. BUT, inevitably, there is ONE book that i want to get, probably for an SL book discussion :P. So as i look for that one, i see ........aahhh, that one looks interesting..............and almost always end up w/ at least 3 books, often more. Most of the books i have at home are non-fiction, so i usually bring home fiction books, especially mysteries............I just have no will-power when it comes to books........jean
-
Jean: "I just have no will-power when it comes to books." the story of my life!
-
I am the same...no will power at all when it comes to books.
Joan Grimes
-
When it comes to books if we all had just a modicum of will power we probably wouldn't be here enjoying ourselves so much. And think of all the lovely empty shelf space we'd have. But how diminished our lives would be without our books, our crowded shelves and the camaraderie of these friendly, thought provoking discussions.
-
Oh me.. Will power. I dont think I want it with books. Was picking up a prescription yesterday, stopped at the book rack and wham.. Three new paperbacks with authors I adore. Sigh.. Oh well.. I knew I would get them.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beautifully said, GUMTREE. In fact, I hope you won't mind if I point it out
to PAT as a good quote for her monthly Books review.
-
Babi ;D
-
My son castigates me when he thinks I've been impulsive in buying something. I point out that it is not impulsive when it is on my mental list, as books always are, especially certain authors.
-
Too many books and I simply dont care. I figure I will just read what I want.. I like to have choices and right now I have tons of them.
-
JACKIE, tell your son he is not to castigate his Mother. Most unfilial!
-
Babi: In spite of my efforts, he is typically a male who knows best what others need to do and he will tell them where or not they ask! I'm stuck with him as he is stuck with me; there's no market for used kids I learned long ago. Seriously, he's a great help to me and I love him so he's allowed a little castigation now and then cause it's clear that it's my money and I choose what to do with it.
-
My two sons are struggling with their roles with their Dad gone. They are not quite sure how much help I will accept since their Dad and I have always been independent. Oh well, we are all in the process of learning how to deal with the hole in our lives.
-
Steph - why not talk to them about it all. I'm sure they want to help but maybe don't want to intrude. - it's hard for them to guess just what you need - tell them how you feel and don't be afraid to ask for help whenever you need it. Perhaps they need your help right now too.
-
My children and I have, over tome, drawn closer to one another though their father died long after the marriage ended.
-
JACKIE and STEPH, I've got one, too. He worries about me, but he tries
not to be too obvious about it. Really, I don't know what I would do
without my three kids. They are my helping arm and my safety net, besides being a joy and people to laugh with.
-
I just finished reading Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman. It is the story of a 12 year old girl who finds herself in the role of caretaker to her mentally ill mother, and how her life changes after her mother suddenly dies. --- Her GreatAunt comes and whisks her away (in a big, shiny car) to a new life in Savannah, Georgia. The story is filled with humor, the wisdom of very independent older ladies and tremendous warmth. I laughed out loud and highly recommend it, a real page turner.
This is the author's first book, and I hope she has more stories to tell.
Evelyn
-
I'm reading Earthly Joys by Phillipa Gregory. For those of you who aren't familiar w/ it, it's about a gardener for Earl Robert Cecile in the 16th century. There was a lot of talk about the "knot gardens." Altho i had a pretty good idea about what they were, i went looking for them on Goggle.
Here is a video you might find interesting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AWByZ60I-I
and here are some images
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=knot+garden+designs&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=4feGS7GrHMbPlAeulLg9&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCIQsAQwAw
sorry, i know there's a way to make a link and not have that long url, but i don't know that yet...............
some of you who are quilters may be interested in knowing that one of the sites suggested that people look at quilt patterns to get an idea for designing their knot garden...........jean
-
also just finished CeeCeeHoneycut and enjoyed it also.
-
CeeCEe has gone on my to be read list. Sounds good.
Finished Archangel last night. Loved it. So neat to find a new author that I enjoy. Oh.. Sharon Shinn and she writes fantasy with a biblical tinge of all things.
-
Shinn's other series doesn't have that Biblical tinge, but it's very engrossing. I love the characters.
-
I do not read Fantasy at all...so I will pass on that one.
-
Someone here recommended The Bell Ringers by Henry Porter and I'm so glad I paid attention. Mysterious death of a former British Cabinet official brings former love to his inquest in the borderlands between Wales and England. Other mysteries follow, complicating any picture we are beginning to sketch so it's becoming quite delicious. Alomost parenthetically, a mention is made of "the great game of Afghanistan", Kipling's Kim's tentacles again!Oh, joy!
-
I think 'twas me who recommended "The Bell Ringers" - - jolly good wasn't it? And scary/frightening about how much info can be gathered on individuals.
-
JACKIE: "there's no market for used kids I learned long ago". Don't tell my kids. When I get exhasperated with them, I tell them I'm going to trade them in for a used camel. (Or else I say I'll put them back in my stomach where they come from. My 6'5'' 200 pound son just laughs, I don't know why).
-
Joank: Beat's me, too. ???
-
The library just called and CeeCee is in. I will probably pick it up in the a.m. It sounds interesting. I am currently reading Edgar Sawtelle for my ftf book club, finishing up Sue Grafton's U is for Undertow, and re-reading The Book Thief. I want to finish up the Grafton book before starting CeeCee. Too many books going at one time puts my brain on overload!!
Sally
-
Salan, does your f2f bookclub talk about one book during one meeting or are there multiple sessions per book?
-
Stopping in with the results of the preliminary vote for our Spring Book Club online discussions - we need a Run-Off vote since the votes were scattered among the 12 nominated titles. Thanks!
February 27- March 7 RUN-OFF VOTE for Spring Group Book Discussions!
Please vote for your first THREE choices from the top five titles you selected in the preliminary vote.
Remember the titles in the heading are linked to reviews.
RERUN VOTE HERE - (click this link) (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PJKHSZ8)
Title | Author | | When Everything Changed (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113764557) | Colins | | Staying On (http://www.powells.com/biblio/0226743497) | Scott | | Forgotten Man (http://www.amityshlaes.com) | Shlaes | | The Doomsday Book (http://templetongate.tripod.com/doomsday.htm) | Willis | | Story of Edward Sawtelle (http://www.bookmarksmagazine.com/book-review/story-edgar-sawtelle/david-wroblewski) | Wroblewski | | Noah's Compass (http://www.powells.com/biblio/18-9780307272409-0) | Tyler | | Wolf Hall (http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780805080681-6) | Mantel | | The Broken Teaglass (http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780553807332-3) | Arsenault | | Possession (http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=0679735909) | Byatt | | Bleeding Kansas (http://www.powells.com/biblio/17-9780451224484-1) | Paretsky | | A Woman of Independent Means (http://www.readinggroupguides.com/guides_W/woman_of_independent_means1.asp) | Hailey | | Roses (http://www.powells.com/biblio?show=HARDCOVER:USED:9780446550000:19.95#synopses_and_reviews) | Meacham |
|
-
Walked by the Barnes and Nobel yesterday. Not a good thing.. In I went for a DVD and out I came with the DVD and four books.. Hmm. possibly need to start another basket for not yet read books to match the first very full market basket.
-
Marcie, my ftf reading group discusses one book in depth. The leader usually gives us a little background on the author and/or the setting. Then we go around the table, giving everyone a chance to comment on the book--ask questions, read certain passages aloud, etc. Some of us come early and stay late to discuss other books we are reading. We have a wide variety of interests, so the discussions are usually very interesting. Some members' recommendations I always take and others, I do not! The group has been meeting for 12 years. There are 12 members and 7 of us are "founding" members.
We meet once a month and I find it most enjoyable.
Sally
-
The Bell Ringers, Henry Porter. Got it. Do mention this one in
the 'Mystery' discussion, JACKIE.
-
Thanks, Salan, for the information about your book group. Congratulations on founding a bookclub that has been meeting for 12 years.
-
Our library has a book group, but alas,, it is another night meeting and I am simply not quite ready for night time reading..Oh well, maybe later in the year.
-
Yeah, that's true. 7pm in winter isn't all that agreeable, but 7pm in summer is easy.
-
Babi: Stop that! You're reading my mind again! My daughter has vision problems which make it almost impossible to drive after dark so she relishes the freedom that the long days of summer bring.
-
Many members have expressed a great deal of interest and support for including Discussion Groups/Bulletin Boards on the SeniorNet National Website. We encourage all members interested in helping to re-establish the Discussion Groups to contact: discussiongrp@hq.seniornet.org.
DID ANY OF YOU SEE THIS NOTICE AS PART OF "SENIOR NET"'S LAST BULLETIN? Will we all rush back if they do?
-
on NPR this morning was word of a novelization of Alice Liddell, the "Alice" of Alice in Wonderland. Melanie Benjamin, piqued by a seductive portrait of the then seven-yr-old by Charles Dodgson, and further intrigued by this from Alice's letter to her older sister:
But oh my dear, I am getting tired of being Alice in Wonderland.
Does it sound ungrateful? It is. Only I do get tired.
Judge the photo for yourself:http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124132534
Alice I Have Been is the historical novel wherein the 80+-yr old Alice reflects on her life and the impact of the instant bestseller AIW written at her request by Dodgson when she was 10. Tim Burton's new movie of Alice looks like it is for adults 'cause what I've seen of the trailer scares me. Maybe today's child won't react as I do. I've put my name on the list for Alice.
Another historical novel, this one in my hands as I speak, is Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier. In this one Mary Anning, born in 1799, becomes one of the world's foremost fossil-hunters. Her pioneering efforts led, indirectly, to Charles Darwin's voyage on the Beagle and we know what that led to. Maybe reading this will compel me to finally read
The Origin of the Species.
-
Tomereader...
I'm not holding my breath for any "discussions" reappearing on SN. The newsletters I've gotten seem to be interested ONLY in Learning Centers.
Who knows what whoever is "in charge" there now...[the latest director I heard of, Jodi Lyons, is gone] has in mind or who they think would do the discussions.
I don't have very kind feelings for SN and how they reacted to the crash of the discussions, so I'm sure that colors my thinking.
jane
-
I'm with you, jane - and I'll check it out and make a comment.
-
Maybe someone has seen what SN lost when it cut us off. Such shabby treatment barely deserves an answer but I will make my disdain known to them you betcha! How they can expect us to continue to support them financially puzzles me.
-
I discontinued my membership and newsletter from Senior Net more than six months ago so I haven't seen their latest bulletin. I am inclined not to go back.
My best bud, George, has just started a computer class at the Senior Citizens Center in Mansfield, PA but he is not affiliated with Senior Net. He has gotten a huge response from the seniors up there. Thirteen signed up, sixteen showed up and more keep calling the center for info.
-
If you were in America's Prophet discussion, please go in and say goodbye and read the message from our author, Bruce Feiler.
-
It always bothered me that Senior Net seemed to discount the discussions for the classes in regular places.. I had talked to several teachers for Senior Net who seemed to not even know.. and I hated the redo, so I am not a candidate to go back.
-
Sorry about that, JACKIE. It must simply be that your thought projection
is so powerful. ::)
I'm not surprised at the letter from Alice Liddell. I think any child
brought to the attention of an admiring and doting public would soon
grow very tired of the whole thing.
Personally, TOMEREADER, I'm perfectly happy here. I don't particularly
want to return to a site that pulled the rug out from under us with no
notice whatever. Very rude!
-
As far as SeniorNet goes, I felt that they dumped us and I in turn opted to dump them.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
You and me both Alf - Their conduct in pulling the plug without any warning or explanation was outrageous.
-
To Babi and Alf43, I certainly have no intentions of re-joining with SN, and was not inferring that anyone here should do so. I was merely passing on the information that they sent to me via their email newsletter (which for some reason I still get). I was very upset when they "dumped" us and was so happy to find SeniorLearn and SeniorsandFriends. And here I shall stay!
-
I'm still so incensed at our shabby abandonment that I sent a blistering reply. Especially when they are reminding me that my membership is due for renewal!
After the shabby treatment we former bookie SeniorNetters received when we were cut off with no notice or explanation do you believe we would come back? We should take out an ad inviting those seniors who care about joining an online community that cares to join us in the alternative web sites we established when SeniorNet cut us loose. SeniorNet doesn't care is the message you sent and we received it loud and clear.
-
I never had any dealings with the old SN other than the discussion groups - never knew what else they did. So I completely lost touch when the discussions were axed - and don't care about anything else. Oh, well.....
-
Yes, I received the pleasant reminder from SN, too. I simply deleted it...from my email and from my memory.
-
Well, I too, sent me info about renewal at Senior Net, and deleted it. However, several years ago I did take some lessons at my local SN.
Now, all I want to do is take part in Book Discussions.
Sheila
-
They're really stupid if they think any of us want to come back (but clearly they ARE really stupid!)
-
I got a new ( to me) book that is about Guinivere. It is a compilation by a famous historian on whether Guinivere was based on some real women.. Interesting.
-
Steph - What a coincidence - My TBR pile has a book on Guinevere just begging me to read it. Mine is by the Arthurian scholar and historian Norma Lorre Goodrich and the title is simply Guinevere
I've had it quite a while and have browsed through it a couple of times but think it needs a concentrated effort to get the most from it. Is yours the same one?- I know there is a plethora of titles dealing with every aspect of Arthuriana - I've a good few of them myself :D Fascinating subject.
-
Same book. She has written on Arthur and Merlin as well. Like you, I keep paging around, but I need to settle down and dive in..Looks good though. I love the Arthur legend.
-
Odd isn't it Steph -we're half a world away from each other and yet paging through the same book. Weird. I read the first chapter last night -she's just setting out possibilities. Might read another chapter tonight. Over the years I've taken a few courses on Arthurian literature. One was given by a Ph.D student and was really really strange -candles, meditation etc. Another was by a very seasoned Prof. who held me entranced at every meeting - funny how I keep wanting more. A couple of years ago I picked up a copy of a new edition of Mallory rendered into modern English orthography. As I read that I tracked it against the Vinaver edition of Mallory - interesting where it deviated and either included more material or left quite pertinent (to me) parts out.
-
Ican see where I had better start, the chapter at a time sounds like a good idea. I finished off a fluff by J.D. Robb last night, so something with substance sounds good.
-
I picked up Guinevere at the library yesterday, i'll read along w/ you two. .... :) :)..........but not for a week or so, i've got a couple TBR's that have to go back to the library next week.......sooo, one of us is in NZ and one is in Fla and one in NJ........anybody on the west coast interested?..............:)...........jean
-
Is Oregon far enough west? http://pics2.city-data.com/city/maps/fr165.png My library has it! i'll catchup when I pick it up.
-
I picked up Guinevere at the library yesterday, i'll read along w/ you two........sooo, one of us is in NZ and one is in Fla and one in NJ........anybody on the west coast interested?..............:)...........jean
Jean: Wash your mouth with soap and water - one of us is in Australia not NZ - two different countries - two different nationalities -
But good Lord - all this interest in Guinevere ? You're going to read along with Steph and me ? And now Mrs Sherlock too! How fabulous! Do we want to discuss it ?
I've just read the first two chapters - found the first a little dry but the second one had me totally hooked.
Steph - have you started on it yet?
-
ohhhhh! i'm soooo sorry Gumtree - I tho't Caroline was from Australia and you were from NZ - don't we have someone from NZ on SL? ..........I know they are separate countries, i just got your "homes" mixed up...............soooo sorry. ...........my mouth is frothing w/ soap......... ;D. jean
-
Mabel-Jean - That's OK. I meant to make a joke but re-reading it now I see my post sounds a little cross. I wasn't. Just amused. Lots of the folk on SL and elsewhere get the two countries confused or think we are just one. I can't say I know Caroline but there is a Carolenz somewhere - she lives in NZ but has Aussie connections.
BTW you can rinse your mouth free of soap now ;D
-
Hah,, today I can actually start Guinivere. I am going to the gym, then a book talk about an author who does those research books on small towns and then I should have the afternoon to do what I want.. Which is at least read the first two chapters.. So come on down every one.. We can discuss as we go along.
-
Gumtree - i took it as a joke............. ;D ;D ;D ....and loved your sense of humor.........jean
-
Ah Jean, I remember the soap. It was Palmolive and it tasted peppery. :P
-
Good Grief.. I read the first chapter and it was sort of dry, but then the second one. I have read that one twice. Whew.. This is one of those books, I wish I could read french.. and had a library of probably a dozen other books on this period and the Arthur legend. I am ready to reread the third chapter, because I got really lost in that one. The coronation .. but mostly the idea of killing off your wife when she has a female child, so you can control the land is horrifying and I would assume true.. Whew.. A silly aside is that I always thought of Guinivere as a redhead, not a brunette and the idea that there is actually a grave in Scotland for a Guinivere was really wild. I will put that on my list of things to see and do whenever I get back to Scotland.
-
Steph: I thought Goodrich said Guinevere was a blonde - perhaps golden tresses ? I have got a library of perhaps a dozen or more books on Arthuriana and they're not helping me much right at present :D - have never read about GUINEVERE - it's always Arthur and Merlin and Lancelot, Mordred and Kay. I'm concentrating on this book to start with and hope then to do some wider reading.
I do have one book that contains extracts from the Prose Lancelot - just need a little time to search through it to see if anything is quoted relevant to the early part of Goodrich. If so, I'll post it here.
The 'grave' in Scotland is really a memorial stone -I don't think it is actually the grave - my copy has a depiction of it so I guess yours does too.
Have you read the part about the three Guineveres?
This is wonderful having someone to share a little of this book with - thanks.
-
We do have a Caroline from NZ, but I haven't heard from her in a while. I miss her, a wonderful person, but quite sensative about being mistaken for an Aussie. Her computer name is Kiwilady, which would tell us Yanks if we knew enough to know that "Kiwi" is slang for a person from New Zealand. Through her, I know a lot more about NZ than I did.
-
Joank: Kiwilady's name is spelled C-A-R-O-L-Y-N, the same way my mother spelled hers.
-
Sorry, I can barely spell my own name. :-[
-
Yes, Kiwilady's real name is Carolyn. The Carolenz I mentioned is another poster who also lives in NZ. I think they both post mostly on S&F now.
-
The three Guiniveres thing is interesting. science fiction author named Marion Zimmer Bradley did a fictional account of this period and all of the females many years ago. As I remember, she postulated two..
Somehow I never ever equated the french with the Arthur legend. But this author sure does. I am slowly going through this next chapter after the coronation, but she is getting more and more complicated in spots.
Ah,,just a memorial. I reread that and see what you mean.. I knew that in England, they consider Arthur as from Wales, but here it is mostly Scotland, I notice.
-
Went through a period of studying the Arthurian Legends but lost interest in that sort of thing. The mother of my oldest son's girlfriend when he was in high school and college was an Arthurian legend scholar. Wonder whatever happened to those people. Oh well I guess they are no longer important in my so-called life. So I guess I lost interest the legend too. Oh well so much for that. There do seem to be signs of Spring appearing in Alabama of fand on now. However it is still too cold and dreary. Have a good day Everyone.
JoanGrimes
-
I always enjoyed Kiwilady' s input. It would be nice if she could find time to visit us, too.
I've read so many books, and seen so many movies, based on the Arthurian legend that
I simply got tired of the whole thing. One can get too much, you know, even of a good thing.
Chocolate comes to mind. ;)
-
Steph: There are many French tales either dealing with Arthur or which touch on his story. I gather the French consider Arthur was their literary property long before the English got round to writing about him. He is reputed to have travelled far and wide so it is no surprise that many places throughout the British Isles lay claim to him - exactly where some of the places actually were in the 6th century is another question. Goodrich seems to put up a lot of information in quick succession and gives a plausible explanation but as always we're left wanting more substantiated FACT - which, of course, with these legends we will never get.
I tend to immerse myself in Arthuriana from time to time usually when a book or a conversation piques my interest - then just as suddenly I put him aside - until the next time.
-
Yes, I have always loved Arthur and from time to time get involved with the legend. The coronation chapter has gone on and finally gets around that Wales is considered ARthurs home in many cultures. But somehow she involves Danish preroyalty in this.. Wow.. That one came from out of the blue..
I always remember Mary Stewart and her retelling of Merlin.. Possibly called The Crystal Cave??
-
Oh I read the Mary Stewart things too.That was a phase I went through. At least I think it would be described as a phase. Not sure though.
-
Mary Stewart wrote three books about Merlin, STEPH. "The Crystal Cave" was the first, then
"The Hollow Hills" and some title with 'Enchantment' in it, which I can't quite remember. I
devoured them all.
-
I remember reading Mary Stewart long ago - can't recall the titles but they weren't about Merlin. I'll see if my library has those mentioned here.
-
Ahhhh! Mary Stewart-another author that I had forgotten about. I read all the Merlin books (loved them) and any thing else she wrote. I think I must have burned myself out on her. I haven't read her for years. Maybe I'll go back and read some I missed. Isn't it funny how we sometimes take authors by spells??
Sally
-
Isn't it funny how we sometimes take authors by spells??
Sally
It sure is Sally - I think they put a spell on us. ;D
-
Just finished reading Rosellen Brown's "Half a Heart." This was the first on of hers i had read. It was the story of a white woman from Texas who had taught at a Black college in the 60's, had a baby who was taken from her when the baby was 8 mos old. 18 yrs later they find each other. It was a good characterization of mother/dgt relationships, black/white relationships, family/friends relationships. Much of the book is written as the introspections of the character being focused on at the moment, rather then dialogue between characters...............There was a lot of back and forth btwn today and 2 decades ago, that's not my favorite process of story-telling........................... There were sev'l places where the author was very verbose, saying in 200 words what could have been said in 50 and i skimmed thru much of that. There were passages that didn't have any effect on the story and again i skimmed. ..................... i will probably try another one of hers, but if that one is the same, it will be my last one of hers................it was about C+ for me. ................jean
-
Reading about the Mary Stewart books brought back memories. I can remember when I read The Crystal Cave, we were living in California in a Navy enlisted community. One of my husband's friends asked me what I was reading, and I told him the Crystal Cave, and I loved it, but I didn't think he would like it. The next time we saw him, he chastised me for saying that he wouldn't like it, because he thought it was great, too. I wonder what I would think now if I reread it?
-
I'm going to have to get something by Mary Stewart now that some of you have praised her work. I'd never heard of her.
Has anyone read Hilary Mantel's WOLF HALL? I'm reading it now and enjoying it. It's about Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell and the argument over Henry's wish to marry Anne Boleyn. I hadn't realized Henry was so interested in theology. The book takes some getting used to in the way it's written, with no quotation marks around the talk. But very well written, making me want to read more about some of the characters and about English history.
Marj
-
HenryVIII and his daughter Elizabeth are subjects I love to red about but when i started Wolf Hall I got no more than 1/3 into it before I gave up.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Yes, when I thought about it, I realized there were three books in the Merlin series. I also read quite a few others by her at one time. If I thought about it at all, I would have assumed she was dead.
-
You mean she's not?! Goodness, how old is she now? No longer writing, I assume. Bring me
up-to-date, please, STEPH.
-
I dont honestly know how old she would be, but older than me and I am 72.. She was an excellent writer, but someone when they mentioned her gave me the impression that they had seen a new book.. Must google and find out.
-
I just "googled" Mary Stewart. She's 93 yrs. old. Didn't say whether she was still writing.
Sally
-
93! Really?! My grandmother lived to that age, but then she always was a remarkable woman.
The life she lived, she had to be strong.
-
My Mother is going to be 103 years old on April 25 this year. She is truly a remarkable woman. Mind is still sharp. She still reads and works crossword puzzles and other more challenging puzzles. She is almost totally deaf. Uses a magnifying glass to read. She has a hole in the retina of one eye. I visit her every day. She has always been my best friend. I do not think she would take on writing a book though. I really doubt that Mary Stewart is still writing. But then what do I know. Just the over whelming joy of having a granddaughter accepted to Medical School yesterday but i have already spammed these boards with that news. Oh well it is good to be able to express joy on a rainy , stormy day in Alabama in early March.
-
Spam away Joan Grimes - it's wonderful of you to share your joy with us. .I bet your own mother is as pleased as punch about her gt granddaughter too - and why not. Good news is always welcome everywhere.
-
Finished Gregg Olson"s book Bitter Almonds and I loved it. I read all his books, they are true and most center around the Pacific Northwest and are really thrillers. I also love Greg Isles and most of his books center in Natche Mississippi.
Great authors both of them.
-
Judy: Northwest authors are always on my list. Thanks for a new name to watch for.
-
Oh Joan, spam away. I rejoice with you. Grandchildren are quite special and this one sounds like a keeper.
Still sloging away at Guinivere.. Some of the book is so interesting, but other parts get too too deep in conjecture.
-
Hope you keep slogging away Steph. I feel much the same but am still finding the book interesting. The author Goodrich is certainly not one to entertain any view unless it agrees with her own and let's face it - historical accuracy is impossible with these legends.
-
Congrats to your granddaughter, Joan. Where is she going to med school?
-
hank you Mary Z. She will be attending Med school in West Virginia. It is located at Lewisburg West Virginia. That is near Greenbrier where the Presidential Bunker is located. I hear that it is a really beautiful area. I am sure that it gets very cold there though. Joan Grimes
-
How wonderful Joan! To have your mother still living and sharp, and a gr-dgt off to medical school! Your stars must be aligned properly........ ;)
Maybe it's the good company you keep here on SL....... :P
It's a good day!............................jean
-
Thank you Jean.
That is my granddaughter who is off to med school and of course my mother's great grand.
The wonderful things make all of the other things seem worth it.
-
I actually ran out of something to read this past weekend. So I went
to scanning my bookshelves, looking for something that appealed.
Would you believe I opted for Washington Irving's "Sketch Book"?
Irving is so faithful to the ideals of that day. It was a pleasure just to read that elegant prose and the gentle views of his times.
-
i have traveled in that part of the country in our motorhome...Kept looking for Icabhod Craine and the headless horseman. Sometime strange what pops into ones head as they remember things they have read and studied in the past.
-
We went to upstate New York, etc last summer in the rv.. There are some truly beautiful places in upstate New York. I loved Chatauqua and vow to go back and take classes someday.
-
I am frequently surprised by the odd things that pop into my head, JOANG, especially when
I'm half awake. ???
My ex-husband is from up-state New York, STEPH. During the time I knew him, his folks had
some cabins on the St. Lawrence where regulars came yearly for the fishing. I remember
walking up a hill that had tiny wild strawberries, which I naturally sampled. Lovely memory.
-
My late Husband was from the Catskill Mountains of New York. It is one of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen and filled with interesting lore and legends. We used to spend at least a month every summer in that area. We would take our motor home and camp and visit around to his relatives...his sisters, one of his brothers and his oldest daughter live in the area. I have only been back twice since his death. Once for the interment and then once for a visit with the sisters and brother right after his first great grand child was born. It was a nice visit. I flew up to Binghampton and one of my sister's-in-law and brother-in-law met me at the airport. However Delta Airlines no longer flies into that airport and I now feel that it is too involved to try to fly up there again. Also the in-laws are getting too old to drive that far to pick me up also. I would really love to drive up there again. It is a wonderful drive up through Tn, VA through the Shenondoah Valley, and on up to Mt Upton where my husband's family live. Oh well at least I have had that experience and have wonderful memories of it all.If the temp ever got up to about 80 degrees the natives of the area would always say to us " Well you managed to hit our one day of summer this year". Then everyone would laugh and we would launch into tales of what summer was like here in Alabama.
-
I'm sure most of you here have read "The Help". There is an interesting interview with the author, Kathryn Stockett, at @katiecouric:Kathryn Stockett. It runs over an hour, but is worth the time. She also has, via Skype, two book clubs, who have questions/input, and a final interview with three ladies from Jackson, Mississippi.
-
Sounds very interesting...I really enjoyed reading that book...I am the person recommended it to these boards. Thanks for that link.
Joan Grimes
-
I just started the first chapter of Guinevere last night. Two people had mentioned that it was hard going, but they loved the 2nd chapter. I actually enjoyed the first chapter - but, it is another book w/out footnotes, which frustrates me, as i said in the Am'n Prophet discussion. At one point she makes a statement something to the effect that Arthur has more literary references, or issuings than any one else. It's not clear as to what time period she is speaking for, but i tho't "REally? More than Lincoln or Napoleon?"
I remember sometime ago reading/seeing something that was deciding if Arthur was a real person, or how many persons might have been culled together to make the fictional Arthur. She appears to be sure that there was an Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot as they stand. She mentions gravesites, etc. Huuuummmm. Looking forward to reading some more of the book............................jean
-
I have loved the time we've spent in upstate NY. Very beautiful and interesting.
-
Mabel--Jean: I didn't really find the first chapter 'hard going' but just a little dry - my expectations were probably for a different kind of book.
I'm into Chapter VI and have found the assumptions Goodrich draws to be fascinating. Interesting too are the threads she pulls together.
The fictional Arthur combines the attributes of many stories and I can live with that - it's what makes the whole legend so interesting.
The historical Arthur, Lancelot, Guinevere and the rest are real but I doubt any scholar will be able to disentangle them from the web of so many intertwined stories that have grown up around them and have their roots in France and Germany, Scandinavia - let alone England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
That we are here reading and discussing these legends today so many centuries later is proof of their power.
I agree that the lack of footnotes in this book is something of a drawback - an irritation perhaps - though I will say she has provided an extensive bibliography and the index is OK too.
-
I agree on Guinivere. She pulls together so many legends.. The false Guinivere, who seems to be of french origin is particularly interesting to me. Noone could be that much like the real one..But the book draws you in if you like the Arthur legend.
-
Speaking of Arthurian legend books, I read The Mists of Avalon ("The magical saga of the women behind King Arthur's throne.")by Marion Zimmer Bradley some years ago and loved it. I bought the book, which I don't normally do, and just may reread it someday soon.
I've downloaded The Help from my library and have it on my iPod Shuffle. However, the darn thing thinks it needs to shuffle the chapters, too, so I've listened to much of the book - twice at least! :D
Nancy
-
I read the "The Mists of Avalon " some where in my past too. I don't think it was so many years ago but have no idea how many it has been since time has suddenly flown by me and I am in that time period called old now. :'( Whatever that means. I liked it when I read it but sure don't want to read it again. I guess there are too many other things out there to read even if they are too formulmatic. New roads to follow. My late husband and I went to France and followed in the steps of the wandering minstrels who spread the Arthurian legends. (That is if you believe that is where they came from to begin with.)Joan Grimes
-
I did not realize until Guinivere that the french are so into the Arthur legend.. I liked the Avalon series from Bradley, but then I really read all of her books and loved Darkover.
-
I just finished Edgar Sawtelle for my ftf reading group. What a "downer"!! I wanted to throw the book across the room and stomp on it when I finished. I certainly do not intend to read this author, again--even if it was well-written. It will be interesting to hear what others in the group have to say. I should have known what kind of book it was when I found out it was an Oprah selection. I would not have finished it if it hadn't been for my reading group. There are too many good books out there and too little time.
Sally
-
Thanks for the book review, SALLY. I was only mildly interested in the Sawtelle story and I'm
definitely not in the mood for a downer. Oprah has recommended some good books, but
they are a bit slanted toward the angst. I think we do need to read books like that; they
broaden our understanding. But too much can be,..well...too much!
-
Steph: Yes, indeed the French have long laid claim to the Arthur legends and some believe they invented the lot. But not so. Arthur stories were written in Wales long before Chretien de Troyes popularised the legend for his medieval audience in France from where it spread to other countries in Europe- Troyes and later French writers were in fact indebted to the Welsh sources and use Welsh names for some characters. Best known of the Welsh literature- and the greatest - is The Mabinogion which I guess you already know.
The Guinivere book is turning out to be absorbing, annoying, fascinating and irritating in turn. Can't think why I've had it for so long and not read it before this.
-
Finally got my copy of Guinivere. I'll be trailing along behind. Wonder what her name is in Welsh since Guinivere is obviously French.
-
Salan, I've had Sawtelle in my TBR pile for quite some time. If I had known it was an Oprah selection I might not have bought it.
-
I plowed through Sawtelle and wondered why anybody would enjoy reading this type of story. It isn't that I want all my reading to be Pollyannish (is that a word?) fluff - but I do not enjoy reading about terrible lives and mistreatments over..and..over..and..etc.
-
Well, I read it BEFORE it was an Oprah selection, and I mostly enjoyed it; however, I could see where it was headed and not happy the author foreshadowed that so much. Also, the ending should have been better, but don't see how it could have been. Do I remember reading somewhere that there will be a sequel or prequel? Or that this is part of a trilogy?
-
Callie, I found nothing redeeming in Edgar Sawtelle, and the author couldn't have come up with a more hopeless ending. I, also, do not need to always "Pollyannaish" books, but do not need to read books that are "dark". Tomereader, if there is a sequel, it will not be on my tbr list!
Sally
-
Sally: Sorry that you are so unhappy about Edgar. While it is not a happy story I was intrigued by Edgar's coming of age and would like to read more by David Wroblewski. When does your book club discuss this book? Please let us know what happens in the discussion.
-
Finally got my copy of Guinivere. I'll be trailing along behind. Wonder what her name is in Welsh since Guinivere is obviously French.
Glad you got your copy of Guinivere. You won't be trailing me for long as I've had to put it on hold for a couple of days - will get back to reading it soon.
As for her name - she is known by many names. In Welsh I think it is Guanhumara - which is the name given in the first of the Arthurian texts we have - Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain
Hope you keep us posted of your progress.
-
Will someone please explain the difference between this site and "The Library"? I am never sure which site to post on, but assume that others (like myself) read both sites.
I am currently reading "Half Broke Horses" by Jeannette Walls. It's a quick read and I am enjoying it. I haven't read her other memoir, The Glass Castle. Have any of you read either of these books?
Sally
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Read both of the Jeanette Wall books. I loved them. But the abuses built into our system with uncaring parents is amazing.
-
steph I read the Glass Castle book some time ago and loved it. I still can't believe some of those things. wWonderful book
I have Half Broke Horses on my Kindle and will read it soon.
WOW whocould believe things like that occured I loved it.
-
Judy,,, still workin on the Mexican train stuff. Why oh why did I listen to you..
Just finished a fairly new Maeve Binchy.. I do like her for quiet calm sort of stories..Only Irish author I read.
-
Mexican dominos its like a virus you will never be rid of it . hehe
Thought I needed a change a pace so I read Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah and it was a great story and I really loved it.
Yesterday I called the Kindle people and fessed up that when I bought my kindle a year ago the dog bit through the covering and left three little teeth prints on the left side. He is still alive because it wasn't broken. Now it is starting to crack in those little places. Upstart of my call I am receiving a new Kindle today and the postage is also free.
can't beat those kindle people.
Nex t I will dive into Greg Illes
-
Good to know about your Kindle, Judy.
Mexican Train is definitely a chronic disease. I hope we get to play it with real people at the beach again in July. ::)
-
Us too! Mexican Train and beach in May..............and books, of course..............jean
-
Judy, I read Firefly Lane some time back. I really enjoyed it and plan to read more of Kristin Hannah.
Sally
-
I read a Kristen Hannah many years ago.. Have to remember to look her up again.
Is this a generic beach or are the Bookies planning a trip.. I had so much fun the winter beach trip years ago.
-
Our beach trip is a long-term (more than 25 years) family and friends get-together. We go to an area near Gulf Shores, AL - would love to have you, Steph. Somebody is ALWAYS reading. Our folks come from Delaware and Texas (and maybe even CA and CO). And we do a book swap, too. Left-over books come home with us to go into the library book sale or to the local used book store for exchanges.
-
Salan, the LIBRARY discussion is a place where we can talk about anything, including any fiction that we're reading or want to recommend. This FICTION discussion is dedicated to fiction books and is one of the "genre" topics, along with NONFICTION, MYSTERY, SCIENCE FICTION, etc. Our conversations do sometimes overlap :-)
-
I just finished Half Broke Horses. It was a quick easy read. I thought it was just so-so, but it did keep me interested enough to finish. I am starting Same Kind of Different as Me. It is April's selection for my ftf book club. Have any of you read it, and what did you think?
We just discussed Edgar Sawtelle. Only eight members were present and no one liked it. It lead to a lively discussion in spite of the fact that we all agreed.
Sally
-
In my f2f book club, we've found that the discussion is much better when we DON'T like the book.
-
I love it.. Book discussions being better whenyou dont like the book. I remember in the old senior learn, we discussed Edna St. Vincent Millay and we loved her poetry and hated the person she turned out to be.. Great discussion.
-
Joan, It is true that usually discussions are better with members disagree. Nevertheless, we found a lot to discuss that we didn't like and our reasons for it!
Sally
-
I see that Sunday night at 9 on the SciFi channel they are showing King Arthur w/ Clive Owen and Keira Knightley............fyi ..........jean
-
I may peep into the Arthur and see if I like that version.
-
Thanks Jean. Haven't seen the Keira Knightley one but we don't get the same programme so won't be watching with you.
-
I was digging around to read something different and ran on an older book that I have never read. It is nonfiction as it turns out.. But a brand new wife joins her husband in Iran in the 50's or 60's and lives in a tiny village. He is there doing work on his doctorate. I have just started and she decided to wear the womans all covering garment since when she didnt, everyone stared and pointed. I think I see her point, but would have hated it.
-
I just finished reading "Roses" by Leila Meacham. I really enjoyed it and read it quickly in spite of it being 600 plus pages. When I saw how big the book was, I almost didn't check it out. It's been a long time since I read a book that big. Big heavy hardbacks are a little hard to manage now that I am beginning to have arthritis in my hands.
Thanks to those of you that recommended this book. I will add my recommendation to the list. However, I am not sure that it would make a good discussion book. What do you think? Is there enough in it to provide a month long in depth discussion?
I am now reading Joan Medlicott's latest "Covington" book. I am enjoying it; but beginning to tire a little of this series. I really liked her earlier ones better.
Sally
-
Sally, what's the title of Joan Medlicott's latest? I've enjoyed the series but also think it's gone on just about long enough. (That won't stop me from keeping up with it, though :))
-
Sally: I loved the Ladies of Covington, too, but have taken a break. After a while I can pick up the series and may enjoy it again.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/search/?searchfor=book&keywords=ladies+of+covington
-
I thorouly enjoyed "The Covington" books. Now, that I am old, I look for books, movies and TV programs about elderly people. There are several channels for the young, but none that I have found for me and my peers. Sighhhhhhhh
Can any of you reccomend books about our age group? I am in the midst of reading "Roses", and am enjoying it. But, mainly I have been reading non fiction. I enjoy the period of the early 20th century. I have just begun reading "Those Troublesome Young Men". The discussion of this book begins April 1st. We could use some more participants.
Sheila
-
The Mrs. Pollifax series is about an older woman and spies.. Funny type.. There are several detective series that are about older people.. Try one of the links to mysteries..
James Michener wrote a book about a retirement village some years ago. Cannot remember the title, but it was good, a bit long winded, but then he always was.
-
Callie and Jackie, The latest Medlicott is Promise of Change. She also had one published around Christmas, titled Blue & Gray Christmas. I really enjoyed Blue & Gray Christmas. Promise is not as good--a little "too" much at times.
Sheila, I know what you mean about reading something "appropriate" for our age group. I get tired of reading/watching about 20/30 somethings. Some books that I have enjoyed are Jeanne Ray's "Step, Ball, Change", "Year of Pleasures" by Elizabeth Berg. All of Sandra Dallas' books, and most of Lee Smith's books. I am sure there are others, but can't think of any off hand. When I find an author that I like, I tend to read everything and then burn myself out on them. Do any of you do that?
Sally
-
Steph, We were posting at the same time. I had forgotten about Mrs. Pollifax. I enjoyed reading those.
Sally
-
I enjoyed the 'Covington' series, too, SALLY. In fact I introduced them
to my library. But after a time, they lost their charm for me, too.
I sometimes think an author extends a series too far due to it's success,
with the result that in order to come up with new story ideas, they lose
strengths that made the earlier ones so good.
-
My sister told me about Lumby, Washington, the home of The Lumby Lines newspaper. A small town, Lumby citizens are unique and quirky. The basic story, a couple who retire and move to Lumby to open an inn in the old monastery they want to restore, is enhanced by items from the newspaper, told soberly, which had me laughing out loud. The story is not told linearly but in bits and pieces as the town reveals its true wonder to we readers. I mentioned this before and one reader didn't enjoy it as I did but if you are in the mood for a few laughs and a "feel good" story about folks who are past their prime, give this series a try. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/f/gail-fraser/lumby-lines.htm
-
Sally, thank you for the Covington title. I do the same thing - try to read everything an author writes and get burned out before he/she does.
The main character of Carolyn Hart's "Henri O" mysteries is a spunky older woman. I haven't seen any new ones listed for quite a while but enjoyed the ones I've read.
"Golden Roamers" by Frances Weaver is an hilarious tale of a group of Senior Home residents who "borrow" a bus and travel the country. It's not a new book so may be hard to find.
-
The "Mrs Polifax" books you all mentioned are by Dorothy Gilman. I love them too.
-
Jackie, I bought the first "Lumby Lines" book (used from Amazon) after you mentioned it. I really enjoyed it. Our library doesn't carry any of them; so I will need to purchase others if I want to continue.
Sally
-
I've been reading Pillars of the Earth for about 6 mos..........now, i must admit that it is a book i own and i tend to pick up the library books first when i go to bed at night, because they have a dead line. However, i've been reading mostly cozy mysteries lately and as i got tired of them, i pick up PotE..........i must admit that i'm at the part where there's a long, long segment on Kingsbridge and Tom Builder's family which i find much more compelling than the wars betwn STephen and Maude. I know that a lot of people tho't it was a great book, but it hasn't been compelling to me thru most of it............and it has a little more of the "romance" genre than i expected - girl refuses boy, girl accepts boy, girl refuses boy for principle...........Oh Me!........jean
-
I read one of the Lumby Lines and loved it, but have yet to find any more..
-
Steph, I ordered my Lumby Lines from Amazon. I got it for one penny plus $3.99 for shipping. $4.00 total-not bad imo. I plan to order more if my library doesn't order them for me.
Sally
-
Good idea, salan. I splurged, and for $2.37 plus shipping ($6.36), I got a new copy. They had several titles: I assumed "The Lumbly Lines" was the first.
-
FYI: Lumby website: http://www.lumbybooks.com/home.php
-
I may check out Amazon. They are always good for older stuff.
-
I got the Lumby book on my kindle
Looks Good.
-
Just heard from my paperback swap. Lumby Lines is on its way.
-
I've just about decided. I think during my next library book sale I'm going to pick up a few
paperback books to read, just so I will have something to offer in Paperback Swap. There are
often older books I would like to read and simply can't find in the libraries any more.
-
Paperback swap takes hard cover, paperback, audios, and trade size.. They just started out with paperbacks, but have since branched out. They tell you what the book is.. Audios are two points in a trade. I love it.. I have a basket full of books.. When I read one, I put it back into the trade, along with anything else around. They ask that books be in good condition.. not necessarily new, but intact with covers etc.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
At the library i look to see if the book i want is in paperback, they're easier for me to hold while lying in bed...............jean
-
I FINALLY finished Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I think i am glad i struggled thru it. The last half of the book was much more interesting than the first half. I very much liked the characters, Follet is good at character development. I was frequently lost in the logistics of building the cathedral, but the sketches at the beginning of the chapters were helpful. I just couldn't picture some of what he was detailing.
In looking for reviews, i found on Goggle that there is a tv series coming in 2010 of the story................a cast of THOUSANDS, of course. ....lol....But Ian McShane and Donald Sutherland were the only 2 names i recognized. ................ i'll look forward to that, it should be much more interesting than the book............I'm sure the ambience of the 12th century and of cathedral building will be portrayed w/ accuracy. I like those historical tv series.................jean
-
Thanks for the heads-up about the TV show on Pillars of the Earth. That's one of our favorite books. Does it say what network?
-
Oh I loved Pillars of the Earth. I will look foward the TV production of it.
-
I finished Pillars of the Earth last year and can't wait to see the TV series. You can learn all about it here: http://www.the-pillars-of-the-earth.tv/
Once I've seen the series I just may pick up the sequel, World Without End. ~~ Nancy
-
I loved the sequel, The World Without End also..Thanks Nancy for that link. I will be going there to see the progress on the production. That will bean exciting TV production.
-
I will keep an eye out for the Pillars tv show. I did love the book and have the sequel on my look for list.
-
I'd love to see the Pillars dramatized. It's going to be on Starz - one of the premium channels, though. We may have to wait for it to come out on DVD (and sign up for Netflix again ::)).
-
I will have to wait for the DVD. I do not have Starz
-
Steph, go to the Amazon site and look at what they are offering about the Kindle..They are letting people get one on trial..If you don't like it after using it for a specified time then you can return it..I saw it last night...
-
I must admit that I attempted to read Pillars of the Earth and bogged down. I realize that was a violent period in world history but it seemed that Follett spent an unusual amount of time dwelling on the violence and it was taking far too long before he got to the building of the cathedral. I gave up reluctantly but I had the thought that I would try it again some time. I would love to see the movie but we don't have STARZ either so I'll have to wait for mainstream TV or Netflix to get it before I see it. But it is something to look forward to.
-
Phyll - the second half of the book had more relationship-story and less violence. I enjoyed the last half much better than the first..........altho it's not devoid of violence and meaness either...............jean
-
That's good to know, jean. I'm far more interested in relationships and the story than I am the constant telling and retelling of violent happenings. I may try again and just skip through to the last half.
-
I just skimmed the violent parts. I sometimes had to go back reread the parts that I had skimmed over. I loved the book.
-
pillars of the earth that was the first of this authors books that I read long ago and the only one that I liked. It took her fifteen years to research and write. I do have STARZ so am looking forward to a film on it. It is so very complex and interesting as a book and so visual that it should work well as a film. So when will it happen. . . .holding my breath.
oops it was a long time ago. this is Ken Follett not the lady I thought. I followedthe link and read the synopsis whichis just like a long long long novel that I liked the first time through and cold probably kindle except that this time I'm finding it just too too chuch. the film will be more interesting but it looks like a series based on the book and it will be long long long also. good for discussion though.
claire
-
the author I am thinking abut wrote a long complicated book set in British India. . . anyone?
-
welll I just kindleized this book and found the preface by the author to be truely interesting in itself. This is the only SERIOUS work he ever attempted. His usual bread and butter output providing a comfortable income and a comforrtable style for him. No wonder I noticed the DIFFERENCE when reading his other oboks. and no wonder I found them disappointing. PILARS is a work of LOVE. it is over a thousand pages and very inexpensive on the kindle. . . another reason to get one for those of you wondering about it. the price keeps going down too 359 when my daughter bought mine and now a hundred dollars cheaper at 259. go for it.
claire
-
I loved Follett period.. His spy stories were a bit too violent, but I still like his writing and the plots were marvelous..He wrote a sequel to Pillars, but I have not read it.
-
I'm keeping condition in mind, STEPH. That's why I'm not considering any of the paperbacks currently on the shelves in the 'computer room'. That's where my daughter works...and smokes!
Apparently the "Pillars of the Earth" will complete filming this summer,
but I couldn't find any mention of which station will be showing it, or
when.
-
Babi, Pillars is going to be on STARZ (a premium channel, which we don't get), but I couldn't find a date, either - probably summer at the earliest.
-
I picked up World W/out End, the sequel to Pillars, yesterday at the library. I also got Virgin EArth which is the sequel to Earthly Joys - YEEESS, i'm nuts! Two BIG books. I started Virgin Earth and it sounds pretty good, more of John Tradescant, the gardener's son. He's fleeing to the Va colony from the grieve of losing his wife to the plaque - in case you have forgotten. I think he's going to have to build a relationship w/ the native Americans to find out about the flora and fauna - the European immigrants are only growing tobacco. ............ jean
-
Finished the Witch Doctors Wife finally. I loved the descriptions of Africa and the animals, but the plot in the book was sooooo thin.. Still worth it for the every day life there in that period of time.
-
I don't take the premium channels, either, MARYZ. If it proves to be
popular, maybe one of the other channels will make it available, too.
-
I've mentioned how fond I am of Ann Bridge's books. She was the wife of a British diplomat and knew well the world and the locales she described in her books. That she also knew people was beautifully demonstrated in The Ginger Griffon, a story about a young woman who loses her heart to a man who reveals that he is married. Stunned she goes to pend a year with her late father's brother in Peking. On her trip out she accompanies a British diplomat and his family. Her uncle's illness allows them to invite her to stay with them in the legation compound. This is a coming of age story with the spectacular Peking setting. The legation is tightly knit, and her sponsors open many doors for her as she rebuilds her shattered ego. My library has few Ann Bridge books and I have now read them all. Boo Hoo! http://orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=bridan
-
Jackie-fiction or non-fiction?
Sally
-
Sally: Fiction. Bridge wrote some thriller-type stories about a young woman named Julia whose cousin Colin is in the Secret Service. Julia manages to play key roles in the defense of the realm, out-thinking the pros. There are 6 books with Julia in them. Bridge write so vividly about each locatio9n I feel as if I could go there and find my way about. Portugal is one place that seems to have the charms of Provence and Tuscany before all the Americans moved in. This is not great literature but she writes engagingly without the excesses of sex and blood-and-gore we see so much of today but it is not like reading about the Victorian age either.
-
Jacqui, do you remember the first of Ann Bridge's books? You have sparked my interest, and I would like to begin at the first one. Thanks.
Sheila
-
Jackie, please forgive me for misspelling your name! My daughter's name is Jacquelyn, and she goes by Jacq. So, that way of spelling your name, is stuck in my memory bank.
Sheila
-
I remember reading the
Ann Bridge books so many years ago. But I loved them..Had a friend in the consulare service and she said the protocol was sooo strict that she thought the books were funny.. But I didnt care.
-
Jackie-sounds good. I also would like to know the first in the series.
Sally
-
Would you classify Bridge's non-thriller books as romances, JACKIE?
I don't really care for romances unless they have other redeeming
features,..such as Charlotte Heyer's period romances. It's the colorful
historical background I most enjoy. The 'thrillers' sound good. I'll see
what my library has.
-
Julia Probyn, girl spy, is first featured in The Lighthearted Quest. The first three Julia stories are available inJulia Involved. This is where I started reading Bridge. The Ginger Griffon is a romance but much deeper than those of Heyer, which I love. Amber, the girl in Griffon, is portrayed with great empathy as she struggles with developing her own personna, falling in love along the way with unfortunate results. While love is the dramatic hook that the tale hangs on, the real drama is her character development and I was very much caught up in that. Bridge has a knack for incorporating the unique flavor of her locales through glowing descriptions of countryside and, in Griffon, the Forbidden City; She deftly captures the quality of the indigenes, both their foibles and their strengths. Definitely a feel good experience.
-
You have sparked my interest in Ann Bridge. I tried to find one of her books, for my Kindle. However, they didn't have any listed. I am disappointed. But, I did order order "Pillars", and it's sequel. "Pillars" does sound familiar to me. I think I read it years ago. I also got bogged down in the begining part. But, I think it is worth a reread.
Sheila
-
Always startling what you can and cannot find in various places.. I think that a big used book store might have some Bridges..
-
I couldn't believe...there was not a single Ann Bridges book in my
library. Like STEPH says, it's surprising sometimes what you can or
can't find in a library. I suppose any library will be influenced by the
tastes and opinions of it's head librarian.
-
To some extent, smaller libraries are at the mercy of space.. They will deaccession books if they have not been taken out in a certain period of time. I have gotten some wonderful genealogy books in upstate New York that way. Also older fiction that I loved..
-
While Salem is a small town of 150,000 it is the state capitol and there are several universities here so it seems to be well supplied with books I'm looking for. It is a member of approx 20 or so other local libraries which increases the potential pool of books. I well appreciate my good luck in this unexpected benefit of choosing Salem for my retirement home.
-
Library loan is a good good thing. But in Florida just now,, the strained budget is keeping libraries from not achieving the new books as quickly as they could be. Plus hours keep getting cut.
-
Has anyone read Christopher Moore? He wrote, among others, a book called Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. He was interviewed today on NPR's Talk of the Nation. He says that he writes funny books, and the title above sounds funny to me. Some of his books are vampires, taking place in San Francisco. http://www.chrismoore.com/ I'm way behind in my recreational reading, our discussion of Troublesome Young Men is keeping me busy, but I'll make room for this author.
-
I just found out that The Help is going to be made into a movie. I'm so glad. I think it would be easy to make since the story circles around the three main characters.
You can find out more about it here: http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/03/04/exclusive-dreamworks-acquires-the-help/
Nancy
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I ;D
-
Well that post just went away, so irratating when I try to get fancy and lose the whole thing.
My thanks to who ever suggested the Lumby series, I put one on my kindle and have not enjoyed such good reading in forever. Just pure pleasure to read. kuddo's to whoever suggested it.
-
Oh that is great news about The Help being mad into a movie.. I can hardly wait to see the movie. I hope that they do it right. It is one of favorite books. I found it when I was visiting one of my favorite sports sites to participate in talking about my University of Alabama Football team. I immediately bought it for my Kindle and read it . Then I spread the news to everyone on SeniorLearn. Joan Grimes
-
I have been heartbroken that yet another young no talent has grabbed up a book series. Katherine Heigl is going to be Stephanie Plum.. Stephanie needs to be quite different in looks and worlds different in attitude, etc. Yet another book ruined by ego, I suspect.
-
Ah, Joan, we have you to thank for one of the best reads ever.
Somewhere I read about The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova and am I glad I picked it up. This is one of those stories which are taking place in more than one time, told by more than one voice. Our narrator is a psychiatrist who is also a painter. His patient attempted to slash a painting; since his capture he has been mute though not catatonic. Investigation reveals that he is a famous painter himself. As the psychiatrist seeks answers to his muteness and his violence he delves into the man's history. Much more enticing than my description. this is not a thriller but an intellectual puzzle and immensely satisfying. http://www.amazon.com/Swan-Thieves-Novel-Elizabeth-Kostova/dp/0316065781
-
No, Kathryn Heigl seems a little too "perfect" for Stephanie...........we'll find out how good an actor she is is she does that role.............
Reading Virgin Earth, follow-up to Earthly Joys, so far it's similar to EJ and great writing. She spent sev'l pages describing the lonilness and panic of J in the boondocks of colonial Virginia. How different from our going to the grocery store to get whatever we want to eat and having our energy piped to us, as opposed to having tobe sure that your fire doesn't go out, that you have dry wood of a size that will fit in your fireplace, eating cornmeal everyday with no seasonings, killing and cooking whatever protein you might be able to get - and all of it as you get more and more undernourished and weak...............she takes you right there............................jean
-
I have always marveled at our early pioneers. They set off for an unknown land, knowing they will never see their families again. They arrive,, must find a place to live.. build something to live in. figure out how to get food,, make friends with an unknown people.. Then forge forward onward to the west in many cases. What incredible courage this all took.
-
JEAN, my daughter Val loved Jean Auel's books. Do you consider Virgin Earth and Earthly Joys
to be of the same type? Different period, of course. If so, I'll recommend them to her.
-
Yes, i think she might like at least Virgin Earth, since it's colonial America. The others are mostly set in Europe thru the 15th - thru 19th centuries - i think.........and very much about aristocracy and the people around the aristocracy. Others may have a better idea than i do .................jean
-
More about The Swan Thieves: The artist who attempted to damage the painting of Leda at the Smithsonian has been painting one woman for years. He paints her in different poses, wearing 19th century style clothing but his skill makes her seem alive, caught in a moment between one movement and the next. He is still drawing her in the private mental hospital as his psychiatrist furnished hium with supplies: easel, paints, paper, charcoal, pencils, etc. His possessions when he was delivered to the hospital consisted only of a packet of letters, old and fragile, written by the same hand in French. While we are reading about him and his troubled life we are also given translations of the letters which recount the growing affection between a young woman artist and her husband's uncle, also an artist. This is a deliciously complex story, the characters are vividly portrayed as attractive and sympathetic. http://www.bookbrowse.com/mag/nm_reviews/?detail=135717kd
Elizabeth Kostova also wrote The Historian which I will read next.
-
Mrssherlock, let me know how you like The Historian when you get to it. I gave that to my sister two years ago for her birthday. She hasn't read it yet. And she loves Vampire movies and Ann Rice books. The Swan Thieves sounds more interesting to me.
-
I tried the Historian - read about 2/3rds of it before I threw it at the wall. It seemed very repetitious and would have been better being cut by half. I'm not into vampire stuff at all and it was making me feel sick!
-
Depends on the vampires, I would guess. I love Charlaine Harris series on Sookie.. There is a sense of humor as well as vampire, werewolves, etc. I also like Patricia Briggs, who writes more about the werewolves and the fey( fairies), but also has vampires as villains mostly.I used to like Laurell Hamilton until she decided sex is the big seller and dived into all sorts of stupidity on sex.
-
Thanks, JEAN. If a book is part of a series, VAL likes to start at the
beginning. Does this series follow the same woman throughout?
-
The first book is Earthly Joys which is about John Tradescant, who eventully was the gardener for CharlesII, the second book is Virgin Earth which is about the son J Tradescant who comes to Virginia in the 1600's to see what plants and trees are in the colony and then returns when he is in danger during the revolution against Chas II. The author is PHillipa Gregory who, i think, is a very good writer, developing characters and doing in depth research of the period she is writing about................i'm sure others here have read her books and may comment on her writing...............jean
-
Phillippa Gregory writes mostly historical novels based in England, but the one where someone comes here sounds sort of different.
I am still on my fantasy kick and am reading a Patricia Briggs.. I like her. She has a certain flair for description and her vampires, werewolves, fairies, etc are so human at times and then suddenly not at all. Interesting.
-
The name Philippa Gregory is familiar to me,JEAN. I'm sure I must have read
some of her work, tho' I couldn't tell you what just now. Thanks for
answering my questions.
-
My daughter keeps lending me one of her historical novels, saying I'm going to like it. But so far, I haven't been able to get through it.
-
Gregory has quite a gift for making her novels interesting. Even though with the Queens and royalty , you know what happened, it is still fun to watch her take on it.
-
I just started Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace and haven't read enough to opine but it was discussed in glowing terms on an NPR show. So far, it's slow go and definitely not my taste but I'll continue awhile to give it a fair shake. Has anyone read or even heard of this book? Please give me your take.
-
Not an author I have ever heard of.. But then there are so many authors..
-
Some people have said they give an author 50 pages and if they aren't caught up in the story by then they quit.
-
I think 50 pages is a good idea. Somehow I think I am obligated to finish a book once I start and I need to quit it.
I am so Glad Pat mentioned the Lumbey Series in her book bites. I have enjoyed them so much I hope some others try them.
-
I never feel obligated to finish a book. I don't give it a certain number of pages - but if I reach a place where I decide I don't really care what happens to the characters, then I quit and move on to something else. Life is too short, and there are too many other books to read. ::)
-
I'm the same way - except I can never resist reading the last chapter so I at least know how it ends. Naughty me! :D
-
Callie, I too sneak in the last chapter so I know how a disappointing book ends. Sometimes, though, I go back and finish reading it after all, because I am interested in why a book ends the way it does.
N
-
I enjoy seeing how an author moves the story along - even if I've figured out how it's going to end.
The hardest thing is not to peek ahead when I can't figure it out! But...even if I do, I still have to find out how it happened.
-
I always feel a bit guilty when I stop reading a book, but sometimes they are just not at all anything that I care about. I have to feeling something for the characters..
-
I don't feel the least bit guilty about not finishing a book. If I can't spend my time now reading
just what I enjoy, when can I? Some authors are simply not to my taste. I'm sure they're not
bothered in the least. ::)
-
Good point, Babi. It is only ourselves we harm with negative feelings, isn't it? Instead of spitting and sputtering when an author insults my intelligence, I can deprive myself of the dubious pleasure of reading that author.
Saving Ceecee Honeycutt is Beth Hoffman's tale of a young girl's coming of age. Her mother is psychotic bi-polar and lives in fantasy reliving her supreme achievement, winning the title of Miss Georgia Vidalia Onion of 1951. Mother refuses to take her meds, refuses to seek help for her disorder, and Ceecee's father has written-off the family though he puts in periodic appearances. Ceecee is the caretaker and when her mother is killed by a car as she darts across the street, Ceecee loses both her reason for living and her only friend, 80 plus year old neighbor, Mrs Odell. This may sound grim and unappealing but Ceecee is worth hanging in for. Her Great Aunt arrives from Savannah to take Ceecee home with her and Ceecee's life really begins. Hoffman deftly serves up the horrors of Ceecee's early life without overwhelming either the character or the reader and when Ceecee begins to find love and acceptance her true character begins to show itself as the intelligent, funny, little girl who had to keep picking up the pieces left behind from her mother's antics.
-
Jackie I loved that book. Of course its about the south, I'll read anything about the south
-
Saving CeeCEe sounds like fun.. Like Judy I love books on the south..
-
Yeah, that does sound good, JACKIE. It would make a nice change from my recent reading,
too.
-
The Three Weissmanns of Westport is a semi-lighthearted romp through the vicissitudes of middle- and senior-aged women. Betty and Joseph, married for 48 years, live in a gorgeous apartment with Central Park as their front yard. Betty's two daughters from her first marriage, are successful businesswomen. When Joseph falls in love with his VP and informs Betty that they have irreconcilable differences and Betty must leave the apartment and she will receive no money until the details of the divorce are worked out, Betty's daughters step in and move with her to a dilapidated cottage in Westport. Sounds dreary, doesn't it? Author Catherine Schine works magic on the banal plot and, to quote the jacket, "The novel is a playful, devoted, loose-jointed homage to Jane Austen's beloved Sense and Sensibility . . ."
-
Jackie - this one sounds interesting. I love the play on words in the title "Three Weissmanns"/Three Wise Men.
-
That sounds just what I'm inthe mood for - will look for it tomorrow - Thanks Mrs S
-
I think this one would make a good discussion. Let me know what you think. Schine is not an author I've read before but now I'll read her other books.
-
I have reserved "The Three Weissmanns..." and look forward to reading it.
-
Hmm, will look for that one at B and N to see if I like the reading.. Strange plot. 48 years,, that is way too long to give orders to move to.
-
Yeah, STEPH. You would think in 48 years he might have noticed those 'irreconcilable differences" sooner. :-\
I'm going to check my library for that one, JACKIE. Ceecee Honeycutt, too. I do need
some upbeat reading.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
-
I just finished Carol Goodman's (http://www.carolgoodman.com) ARCADIA FALLS. I enjoyed it very much. It weaves between a fairy tale and a parallel mystery/story set in the present. It is set in an "arts" school and has a rich background about painting.
-
Saw and visited two bookstores yesterday. Both were used.. One was the worst mess, but wow did he have paperbacks of all types. Could not spend much time there, but did find one book right away.
-
I very much enjoyed the other Carol Goodman books I read, MARCIE. Thanks for mentioning
that one.
-
Arcadia sounds good, Marcie, but my library has not caught up yet with Carol Goodman's books, as it has neither The Night Villa nor Arcadia Falls. Hopefully soon.
But Jackie, it does have Saving CeeCee, so I'm #2 on the reserve list, and the Cathleen Schine book about the Weissmans is on order.
But, in the meantime I'm working on three others -- I love Noah's Compass, but currently don't give a twit about the characters in Goolrick's The Reliable Wife. Hopefully that will change as it's the May selection for my f2f group. The last one, Norwegian Jo Nebro's Nemesis, keeps getting better, but why is it in so many mystery types that the protagonist is an alcoholic detective who doesn't get along with his superiors?
-
I love that. You are right of course.. Authors seem to feel it necessary to make quirky detectives.. How many times have I screamed about Sue Graftons,, one little black dress for her heroine. Stupid, clothes are clothes..
-
PEDLN, maybe the alcoholic detective is a hang-over from the old genre
of hard-drinking tough guy PI. And dealing with the seamier side of the
world every day has to be one of the most soul-abrasive jobs in the world.
;) Ah, yes, STEPH. The 'little black dress'. It seems to be the 'tough gal' concession
to the social norm. They're much more comfortable in pants and boots.
-
I'm about to start the "P" book in Sue Grafton's series. That "little black dress" should be in shreds by now. :D
I just finished "Magic Hour" by Kristen Hannah. The plot centered around a "wild child" who suddenly appeared in a small town park in rural Washington state after having been kidnapped at the age of two and kept in a cave in the woods for several years.
Same basics for authors like KH - female professional (in this case, a child psychiatrist, of course) who has trouble with romantic relationships and conflict with at least one family member (a sister) - hunky male professional who resolves the first problem and a less hunky male who is finally recognized for the "kind good person he really is" by the side character (sister). "And They All Lived Happily Ever After". :)
However, the story development is different and I thought it was very good.
-
Kristen Hannah also wrote some interesting books at the beginning of her career. Sort of otherworldly actually. She was a favorite of my readers in the used book store. Not so graffic as many of the romance writers.
Bookmarks came yesterday.. Yum.. I know it always seems to present me with at least half a dozen neat ideas for books.
-
Hey, I have a "little black dress -- the only dress I own!
-
I love dresses and skirts.. Always have.. I live in Florida so until now I have mostly lived in shorts, but not overfond of them. With the scar from the surgery running from hip to knee and being lumpy,bumpy,discolored..I am not happy about showing it.
But the little black dress is such a cliche in the book.. That and the cars.. But I would guess that protagonists need to be different.
-
And everybody has their own little personality quirks, don't they? We come to expect them in our series characters, too. I have to forgive Pendergast for constantly showing off. ;)
-
I picked up a Janice Woods Windle novel at the library. She wrote True Women, about Texas pioneers in the 19th century. I think it was based on some ancestors of hers and was very historically accurate. It was made into a tv movie, don't remember if it was Lifetime or not, w/ Dana Delany. It was probably 10 yrs ago. I liked that book a lot, so when i saw Will's War, i picked it up. I'm just getting started but it's also Texas-based. Windle found the transcript from a trial in which an ancestor of hers was the defendant - a Texas German who supported the farmers and workers union during WWI, when Germans weren't very popular. They were accused of threatening the life of Woodrow Wilson and the country in gen'l.
I've just begun to read about the trial, it sounds like 2 very good attorneys facing off against each other and she has the exact words from the transcript. So far, it sounds fascinating.
She also writes strong, active women, who i think are also based on her ancestors. .................... jean
-
My adoptive Grandmother was German and in WWII, we lived with them since my Dad worked in the Navy Yard in Portsmouth, VA. Hurtful teens used to come out front of the house and call her a nazi and say she was poisoning animals( she adored all animals) and was horrible. I cried and she comforted me with the fact that they had no idea who she was or what she did and I should not worry.. I learned later that her brothers children were draftees in the German army and all died. She never said a word while it was happening.
-
That's sad, STEPH. It has always seemed wrong to me to call all of a family's siblings into war.
It should be forbidden to leave a family with no one to comfort their parents and carry on the
family line. I believe in the American military services, if all but one of a family's offspring is
killed in action, the remaining child will be discharged and sent home. (I think I saw that in a
movie, so I'm not certain of it's accuracy.)
-
There was a movie about five brothers, named Sullivan i believe, who were all killed in WWII. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sullivan_brothers
-
Yes there was a movie about the Sullivan brothers who were all killed in WWII. I remember that. Joan Grimes
-
I think Saving Private Ryan was about the effort to find and return a soldier who was the only remaining child. I didn't much like the outcome of that movie.
-
Am finally reading The Lumby Lines.. Sort of interesting, although the plotting is elementary. They go on and on about the beautiful scenery and weather and do not mention the more or less daily rain and fog in the Washington State area..
-
Understandable, STEPH. Down here on the Texas Gulf Coast the tourist trade doesn't say
much about the heat and humidity, either.
When I returned to Texas, six months pregnant, in June, after two years in California, I spent the
first couple of week mostly panting on the sofa, re-acclimating. ;)
-
As I recall, Lumby is east of Seattle where there is not the nearly constant rain. But the author doesn't know her geography very well - she says that it takes 8 hours to travel from Seattle to Lumby!
-
I really enjoyed "The Lunbly Line". But I agree the plot needs some more gristle.
-
I still read fiction for "entertainment value" and make no effort in catching the author in geographical/historical errors. Lumby Lines was not the type of read that I require "gristle" in...perhaps in my mysteries! It was quite an entertaining, relaxing, "cozy", if you will, read for me, which is usually out of my genre category!
-
I didnt mean that I didnt enjoy Lumby Lines.. But last year was my first trip to Seattle and that area.. The constant rain, fog,greyness impressed me, although I still loved it and especially loved the gorgeous flowers that come from that sort of moisture.
-
Impressed, STEPH? I'm afraid it would have depressed me. As a
native-born Texan, I don't tolerate chill and damp too well.
-
Well, color me embarrassed! Seattle to Pullman, WA, can take 6 hours per Google Maps, and stops for lunch, sightseeing, etc., surely account for the difference. It takes little more than 4 hour from here to Seattle, that,s why I was confused.
-
Is there really a Lumby in Washington? I just checked my online maps program and the only Lumby I could find is in British Columbia, not too far north of the WA/BC line. But it didn't look like a straight shot on an interstate, so that's maybe why 8 hours.
When I go to Seattle to visit daughter and her family the sun always shines ;D
-
Lumby is made up as far as I know.. It drizzled every day in Seattle and poured when we went to Tacoma and Portland.. But we just put on our raincoats and enjoyed the place.. I would not live there.. They are too surprised when the weather is clear.. But Pikes Market is a great joy.. The variety of fish alone made me envious. I love fish.
-
I have been tasked to find a "book buddy" for a friend of mine who is going to Portland in August (I may go, too - not sure) on an Exploritas trip. She wants to know if any of you (my on line friends) live in Portland and would be interested in spending time at Powells Books with her. Let me know.
-
I am envious. We talked last year about coming back to Portland since it poured when we were there. The Rose Garden and the Japanese Garden were glorious, but very very wet.. Alas, I live in Florida.
I am doing an Exploritas in St. Petersburg at Eckerd College in August.. Its called Law and Order and will feature how they really work in real life, not the tv show. Sounded interesting.
-
That sounds like an interesting one, Steph. And we've always loved the Elderhostel/Exploritas progams. The grandson of one of our oldest friends goes to Eckerd - we'd never heard of it until he decided to go there. Have fun.
-
Just opened - the Book Club Online Discussion for May - Anne Tyler's Noah's Compass (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=1291.0). Lots to talk about here, even if you don't have the book yet - retirement issues, memory loss, etc...all told in Tyler's inimitable style and gentle humor.
Looking forward to hearing from YOU there!
-
Eckerd for some reason is Elderhostel-Exploritas friendsly. There have to be 7 or 8 classes during the summer. There are several places, I have noticed that do this.. There is also a conference center in Montreat, NC that has lots of classes..
If the kids wouldnt howl like wolves, I would take the Switzerland at Christmas one, but oh me, the commotion at the thought.. Oh well.
-
Steph, we decided to take a trip over Xmas one year (Elderhostel to Antarctica in 1996). We could've gone on 26 Dec, but decided to go over Xmas - that the kids needed to know that we'd be gone sometime. They didn't even complain too much. Of course, none of the families have spent Xmas Day with us for years - we've always thought the young grandkids needed to be in their own homes on Xmas Day and make their own traditions. Anyhow we all had a great time. ::)
-
I haave lived in Washington almost all my life and I have never seen a Lumby. I think this is just plain fiction. I googled Lumby Wash and Lumby Oregon. It is fiction I think.
-
I am about 116 pages int "Roses" by Meacham, which I know many of you liked. I'm not too
happy with it. I find myself unsympathetic with Mary Tolliver, and annoyed that the author told
me up front how her story was going to turn out. I may not continue with it. But maybe it's
just me. I seem to be having a hard time lately finding a book that I enjoy. I do except Troublesome Young Men', tho. It was excellent.
-
I am sure Lumby is make believe. There was an interview with her in the book that I had.. She lives in New England and calls Lumby a combination of how they live and places they have seen.
-
Babi, I was less than thrilled with "Roses" but finally just hushed (here and in "real life") because so many others thought it was wonderful.
-
Ah have not tackled the Roses book yet. I have put it on my wish list in my swap club.
I finishe4d A Conspiracy of Paper by Liss yesterday.. Amazing book.. I had never really thought of how the stock market came to be and along with a good mystery, he does a good job of explaining. The book came from his doctoral thesis which is an interesting idea..
I also read The Coffee Traders, which he wrote. Again an interesting look in how markets develop along with a mystery.
-
I have never been disappointed by David Liss, no matter what the subject. He's on my automatic list. I ordered Roses but sent it back unread since the comments here which were so positive at first changed their tone and the book began to sound trite. Too many books, not enough time (left).
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I have often admitted to possessing some inexpicable drive to read the entire book, however despicable I might find it. I have been defeated in my attempt to read Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. I've "read" only about 60 pages and find it absolutely unreadable. To a large degree I believe that the author is writing to a much younger audience to whom I cannot relate. Secondly, the author's style and syntax is far beyond my mental reach. My ego is greatly diminished when I read those glorius reviews and, since my son presented this book to me for a birthday present, I must now admit to him that I'm not as smart as I pretend. This has been a sad adventure. Maybe I'll just lie to him and say something along the lines of "someone stole it."
-
I dont know.. Sometimes highly touted new authors are not for our age group.. I wouldnt assume you are not smart enough.. How about it is not interesting enough to hold you..
-
Steph: Thanks you for your comment.
-
I enjoyed Roses, but then I like family sagas with Southern settings. I recently returned 2 books to the library after reading only 20 pages in one and 30 in another. I usually give books at least 50 pages, but simply could not get into these. One was Crepes of Wrath by Tamar Myers---too full of trite cliches and another mystery that I can't even remember to title of. I just checked out South of Broad by Pat Conroy and find it very good so far.
Sally
-
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one dissatisfied with her books lately. I was beginning to worry about how crabby I seem to be lately. >:( At least I'm in good company.
-
I tho't i'd really like Tamar Myers books, seeing that i'm from Pa Dutch country - i've read 2 and was not excited about them. What a disappointment...............jean
-
Tamar Myers is definitely a cozy writer and she seems to love formulas.. I read her African book and was not even that crazy about that one..
-
I just started A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett, looks like it may be an interesting read. Has anyone read it? This is just my second Follett book. I had the impression that his books were all "action/spy" stuff, but then i found Pillars of the EArth and it was pretty good, so i looked for another of his historical novels and found this one..........jean
-
The subject of reading award winning books has been spoken of here. How can a book I don't like (or even despise) win an award. This article in the WSJ books section is one person's answer. http://tinyurl.com/fictionawards
-
the novel that "shall best present the whole atmosphere of American life."
I had no idea that was the criteria, so the Pulitzer Prize has nothing to do w/ the best piece of literature of the year, which is what i always tho't it was about. Well, dam, i learn something every single day - and a lot of it here on SL.
Altho it doesn't really matter, i don't pay any attention to book prizes in deciding what i'm going to read and when lists are put out, i've usually only read about 1/2 of the books on them.
Thanks for that Jackie ................ i can see why A Thousand Acres won using that criteria. ...................... jean
-
I just started A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett, looks like it may be an interesting read. Has anyone read it? This is just my second Follett book. I had the impression that his books were all "action/spy" stuff, but then i found Pillars of the EArth and it was pretty good, so i looked for another of his historical novels and found this one..........jean
I have read all of Follet's books. I have always enjoyed his writing..
I hope that you enjoy A Place Called Freedom, Jean.
Joan Grimes
-
I have read most of Follett, but A Place Called Freedom is not one I have. Will look for it.
-
I read "Garden Spells" by Sarah Allen Addison some time back and really enjoyed it. Now I have discovered that Ms. Addison has two books that I haven't read--"The Sugar Queen" and The Girl who Chased the Moon." I have put them on my TBR list. Have any of you read these? What did you think?
I also put Rebecca Wells book "The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder" on my list. Anyone have comments on this one??
Sally
-
I just started The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. Judging from past comments, nearly all have read this mystery but this is my first read of a Larsson book and I must say that he is an accomplished writer. It's a great page turner.
-
I like Rebecca Wells, so will look for it.
-
I really do need to read that Larsson book. When it was first mentioned here my library
didn't have it, but now it seems they do. More than one copy, in fact. Thanks for bringing it
up again, JIM, otherwise I might never have re-checked.
-
I started The Three Weismans of Westport last week. Did not like the characters for some reason. Then I picked up Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. I like the characters, but for some reason I did not have the patience to read the book. I guess too much going on. I will check out the Major again, when I'm in a more introspective mood.
So now what?
I do have Garden Spells in my TBR stack, but maybe I should pick up a short mystery instead.
-
I enjoyed Major Pettigrew's Last Stand but thought it ended very abrubtly. However the more I thought about the more I understood the reason for the abrupt ending...
I just read The Apothecary's Daughter byJulie Klassen...I really enjoyed it. If you like a historical romance you might enjoy it.
However the one I read all night was Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay and I really liked it.
JoanGrimes
-
Sorry you didn't like Weissmanns; I do have a funny sense of humor and see things in that light when others do not. Once in 7th grade English we were doing silent reading and I got tickled so I had to laugh out loud. The teacher didn't see any humor in what we were reading nor did my classmates. Made me feel about 3 inches tall to be the center of all those eyes, starring . . . I've read one other book by Schine, The New Yorkers, and her writing just seems to click with my sensibilities.
-
Yes, it is funny that a sense of humor manifests itself so differently for people.
-
I agree, Joan, that SARAH'S KEY was a great read--one of my best of 2009!
I'm reading THE LITTLE STRANGER by Sarah Waters. Has anyone read it? This is my first (and probably last) book by Waters. Am a little disappointed in it and finding it quite repetitious.
Marj
-
Two 'pats' for "Sarah's Key". I'll have to add it to my list. Rosnay is a
new name for me.
-
Finished Anna Pigeons latest adventure. It was fun and enjoyable.. I did not like the winter one, but this one was back into her life and even had a bit of her husband in it..Anna needs to be with him more often..
-
I'm faced with a serious enigma. I just completed The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and have started The Girl Who Played With Fire, each by the recently deceased Stieg Larsson. Both are laced with violence and sex, the latter of which is royally overdone. Yet the books are extremely well written and the plots are mesmerizing. He left a third manuscript in this series with his editor before he died at a young age, and I'm sure to buy it when it's published. I can take the violence if it doesn't distract from the storyline and this doesn't, but the sex is an embarassment to an old codger like myself and I would never recommend Mr. Larsson's books to anyone I know. Senior Learn gives me the opportunity to express my feelings with anonoymity. I have a library stocked with books that I'd readily recommed and know that there are millions more of the same ilk. So why am I reading Stieg Larsson?
-
Mr. Larsson was a very good novelist. I thought perhaps the S & V was a bit overdone, but you have to know where Salander is "coming from" to appreciate the story, especially the second one. I just read a review in yesterday's paper, that warns everyone not to expect much from the third in the series, "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest", implying that it was not nearly as well-done as the first two. I've only read Dragon Tatoo so far. I read a lot of mysteries/detective novels, and have come to "expect" sex and violence, so I just kind of let it roll off my back. Movies are the same, but hey, I can turn off the movie in an instant if it upsets/bothers me(or others) in any way. JIm, I recommend you don't spend your hard-earned money on this 3rd episode, just wait till it's out and at your library. I think I have waxed unpoetic in other boards about overdone S&V in the movies. They in Hollowood seem to think we like this, or that it sells. For me, it won't sell tickets...if it has a star whose acting I like, I may rent it when it comes out. Otherwise, phfffft! And I wouldn't pay $6.00 to $10.00 to see much of the stuff that passes for box office fodder these days. Look at the Oscar nominations: Up in the Air (Clooney); to me that was a terrible waste of time, although I did like the two actresses who played opposite him. Look back in time to "The Departed" that won almost every category it was nominated in. Not much sex, but vile language every half sentence, and violence out the hoo-ha! (You know it's a really good movie when all the "stars" are dead at the end!) LOL LOL LOL
At the other end of the spectrum, I just watched "Up" the animated film. Very cute!
-
If the story holds up without lots of sex, why put it in? I think a lot of writers put in extraneous stuff just to fill pages. More pages, more pay.
The very first book I read that had a lot of gratuitous sex in it was a Harold Robbins. While the story was very good, it could have been cut in half and been just as good. I don't remember the title but it was the only Robbins I bothered to read.
-
Thanks to tomereader & crybabe. Enjoyed your response and recommendation not to bother with the Larsson's third novel. Tome, your right; simply let it roll off the back and enjoy the story. Cry, I, too, believe that much of the s&v nonsense can be cut without damaging the plot. As for Lisbeth, she is defined by the kinky sex.
-
Excuse me, Frybabe, not Crybabe.
-
Excuse me, Frybabe, not Crybabe.
;D It could well be Crybabe, Jim. I got laid off work two weeks ago after working at Fry for 15yrs . What a pain to have to recreate a resume and go job hunting. Can't afford to retire just yet.
-
Hmm. I have Larson on my to be read list, but lots of violence?? and sex.. Maybe not. Violence since the accident is beyond me. I start to cry and cannot watch movies with any and dont really want to read books with it either.
-
Thanks for the tip, TOME. I will avoid "The Departed". I haven't seen
"Up In the Air", but had heard that it was a good and upbeat movie. Has
anyone else here seen it? If so, what was you take on it?
Best of luck on your job hunt, FRYBABE. I know it isn't easy.
-
Babi, I gave Up in the Air 4(out of 5) starts. It's upbeat, fun, but not particularly memorable.
-
Thanks Babi.
-
I feel like odd man out here but I read both of Larson's novels. Had to just slog through the first one and the second one went a little bit faster but I did not like either one.
My kindle popped up this morning with the 3rd one and I called them to take it off. I am not not paying for a third book when I didn't like the other two.
I have been reading some Mariah Stewart books and enjoy them. They are a fast read a dn I particularly like Detective Rizzso.
-
Talk about odd man out, I liked the Larsson books. Violence and sex I can skip past but his description of the financial, societal, and moral practices are fascinating. The leading characters politically interest me; conservatively political believers may not be comfortable with the liberality of the magazine but it suits me just fine.
-
I would probably like the politics, etc, but still the violence makes me put them on a much later route.
-
Side note: PEDLN, great picture of you in the heading. You're looking wonderful. I didn't
know you were one of our award-winning Latin students....but I'm certainly not surpried.
Congratulations!
-
Shes right. Good picture. I even remember why Pedlin and not your name from our talkes in Charleston.. Some day I will get some extra time and then back to Latin, I will go.
-
Steph and Babi, thanks for the kind words. And Steph, yes, do go back to Latin. Since you've been there before you know how good those "aha" and "oh yeah" moments feel. In addition to the learning and the fun, Latin is a great picker-upper.
-
I am really thinking about the latin classes.. Hmm. I need some sort of different stimulation. My brain needs other things to do beside grieve.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Oh, do re-join us in Latin Steph. It is such fun. After a year off, I hope to be back this fall too.
-
I'm thinking of returning to Latin as well, though my history is dreadful. The very first assignment I read and thought, surely we aren't to translate this word for word, so I carefully submitted the sense instead. Too embarrassed to try again, I slunk into the closet and hid. Maybe I can come out now?
-
Jackie, I suspect that you and I can be soulmates. I am with you on the latin.. But I am sitting on the fence just now trying to decide.
I am reading a Jody Picoult.. This one is The Pact and I think it is one of the older ones. I can only read her once in a while. Several of her book infuriated me.. but others come through with a little gong of belief.. She writes well.
-
Has anyoe read THE LITTLE STRANGER by Sarah Waters? It was my favorite book read this month, the first I've read by her. It's a very well written ghost/haunted house story, about a family living in a crumbling great mansion in the English countryside, which house seems to be alive. Or is it? It provoked a lot of fascinating discussion in the Constant Reader book group.
Marj
-
Finished the Pact. Not a believable ending, but then not a believable couple either.. She was nuts and somehow hid it from everyone.. I dont think so.. Not the type of nuts she is describing.
-
I really enjoy Jodi Picoult. Right now I am in the middle of "Handle With Care". The first novel of hers that I read was "The Pact". She really makes me think. Her book that I am reading now has me riveted. It is about a couple whose child is born with a serious disability. Her mother learns that her obstitrition missed the disability on her first sonogram. The mother, and the doctor are best friends. Then, the mother learns that she has a malpractice lawsuit, and files for wrongful birth.
I don't want to put the book down. What would I do, if I were the mother? How would I respond if I was the dr. and learned that my best friend filed a lawsuit against me?
Sheila
-
I can only read Picoult maybe once a year. She writes topical, but I am never too thrilled with her conclusions.
Tried reading The ARt of Racing in the Rain, but stopped.. I cannot really even handle the death of a dog , or human.. Nice book though. I will put it away for when I am not quite so tender.
-
Just started South of Broad and love it.. He sucks you in so quickly..
-
Here are some books that I recently read and enjoyed: The Help by Stockett, Whiter than Snow by Sandra Dallas, The Four Seasons by Mary Alice Monroe, The Forgotten Garden by Sarah Addison Allen, and South of Broad by Pat Conroy. Have any of you read these and what did you think? What books have you enjoyed this past year?
I just checked out The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen, and The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. I have'nt started reading them yet. I must quit checking out library books so that I can get to my piles and piles of tbr books that just keep growing. I always feel that I must read library books first as they have to be turned in. Consequently, my tbr books have been neglected.
Sally
-
I know a number of us read "The Help", SALLY, and enjoyed it very much. I haven't read any
of the others.
The thing to do about your tbr books is to plan your outings to avoid the library. You know if
you go in you're going to pick up something. Return books to the book bin or slot; going inside is dangerous. ;)
-
Sally: I've read the first two and added the next two to my library reserve list. there is a series about five women who became buddies when they were in high school and have met every month for lunch since then. Great fun, they are engaging and their lives and history are recounted as the story unfolds. the first one is The Red Hat Club and the author is Haywood Smith. I've read all the Red Hat books, nice, light reading, a perfect change of pace.
-
BookTV today is talking about the state of books today - lots of panel discussions. At 4 p.m. EDT will be something on e-books. Following that, someone will be talking with Pat Conroy.
-
Sally.. The Glass Wall is a good good book, hard to read, but excellent. She really was raised by wolves.. Some people should not have children.
Still forging ahead on South Of Broad. I do like it very much.
-
Well, I watched quite a bit of BookTV on CSpan over the weekend. I particularly enjoyed the interview with Pat Conroy. As soon as I finish one of the three books I am now reading, I will begin reading "South of Broad". Thanks for your comments about it, Steph.
Sheila
-
Sheila, I hope you love it as much as we did. I'm ready to go back and reread The Great Santini and The Lords of Discipline.
-
I also liked the Conroy interview, Sheila. I've never read any of his books. About time I looked into that. He seems a rather fun guy to know.
-
Just saw an ad for The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, a novel written as her "side" of mythology of her life. The author is also bringing out a series on Elizabeth the First and the Tudors. Sounds interesting.
http://www.cwgortner.com/Confessions.html
-
Frybabe, Conroy's books are free-standing - different characters, etc. But, having said that, they are (to some extent) autobiographical, so it might be best to read them in chronological order.
-
De Medici.. Hmm. Will have to look for that. She has always been a woman who fascinated me.
-
The Catherine de Medici book does sound interesting. And it's interesting to me that it's written by a male. I usually associate books about female royalty with women.
-
I am reading a Lorna Landevik books just now. Something about Mount Joy.. Interesting and a bit more substantantial than most of her books. I am enjoying it.. Surprisingly for her, the speaker is a man..
-
That name, Lorna L, rings a bell, Steph. I think I brought one of her's home from my daughter's one year, but it's been a while. Have't read it, don't remember the title. Now will have to look for it.
-
Lorna Landvik??
-
Steph, I've read almost all of Landvik's novels. Some were really good and some were just okay. Can't remember what ones, though. I just know that I enjoyed most of them.
Sally
-
I have just finished listening to The Help. I've send a copy to my daughter for her birthday. It's the best book I've read this year. I highly recommend it.
I'm now reading The Last Lecture for my f2f book group and will start The Other Boleyn Girl as soon as I'm finished.
Nancy
-
I loved The Other Boleyn Girl, both the book and the movie.
-
Due to my connection with Simon&Shuster and their author of "Moses-America's Prophet" they send me notices every once in awhile of new books. This one looks pretty good so I am leavingyou all a link.
http://books.simonandschuster.com/Her-Fearful-Symmetry/Audrey-Niffenegger/9781439169018/?mcd=enmu100610&cp_type=enmu&md=epb&cp_date=100610&custd=351522 (http://books.simonandschuster.com/Her-Fearful-Symmetry/Audrey-Niffenegger/9781439169018/?mcd=enmu100610&cp_type=enmu&md=epb&cp_date=100610&custd=351522)
Aberlaine,
My daughter highly recommended "The Help" and she doesn't read that much. So I have it reserved at my library.
-
I read Landvik's "Angry Housewives Eat Bon-bons" - funny, well-written, i liked it...............our f2f group is discussing The Help on Sunday. Someone recommended The Three Weissmanns of WEstport. I just happened to get it when someone returned it to the library yesterday. It's a "new book," they have sev'l copies, so there was no "hold" on this copy. I started it and am enjoying it, altho having been married for 43 yrs, it could be a little scary - husband leaves wife after 48 yrs of marriage!!! ..............jean
-
Audrey Niffenegger's books are unique but I've enjoyed them. Time Traveler's Wife was more engrossing probably because I am a fan of SF, but her talent produces extremely good books IMO.
-
I finished the Mount Joy and enjoyed it. I think I have read all of Landvik's books.. She writes of midwestern communities and with such love.
I still have both The Help and the Three Weismanns on my to be read list. I will get to them.
I have a new Spellman and think I will read that one next.
-
"Her Fearful Symmetry" is very good, but like TTW, it gets kind of strange. Loved the parts about the "cemetary", (and did you catch the play on words?) This is another of those "some folks liked/loved it; some folks hated it" type books. Personally, I enjoyed the story.
-
Have not opened the Spellman book.. Realized I needed to at least try to catch up on several magazines. Hmm..
-
I only read one magazine these days, and it was a gift subscription.
My friend knows me well, I think. It it the "Smithsonian" and it always
has articles that interest me. Makes for good bedtime reading when my
regular books are heavy hardbooks.
-
Babi: count me among the fams of Smithsonian. Never a dull page. And I love the ads in the back.
-
Did this group happen to read "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver? And if so, did you do a discussion w/questions on it?
-
The Poisonwood Bible was discussed. The archive of the discussion is at http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/archives/fiction/PoisonwoodBible.htm
I don't know if there were questions for that discussion. Maybe Ginny would remember.
I found some questions for that book at http://www.readinggroupguides.com/guides_P/poisonwood_bible1.asp
-
KIngsolver is one of those authors I gave up on. I used to love her stuff, but she got more and more intricate..Off my list.
-
Me,too, Steph (re Kingsolver). Neither one of us could even get into Poisonwood Bible, much less finish it.
-
There are some authors that I started out reading and liked, but over the years, both they and I (hmm grammer lacking here) changed in different directions.
Just finished another Patricia Sprinkler. I think it was the first one in the southern series.. A bit too drawn out and obvious, but fun.
-
Kingsolver's Poisonwood Bible was a DNF for me. Have often thought someday I'd read it again and finish it.....but I probably won't. Too many interesting books to read.
I just finished MUDBOUND by Hilary Jordan. Very interesting book. Good writer. Makes you realize what it must have been like living in the deep South before the Civil Rights movement, when a black person had to ride in the back of a truck if you gave them a ride, even if it was raining, where a black could be hanged and no one did anything about it, and forget it if you were a black man and even looked sideways at a white woman. Laura, an educated woman who thought she was destined to be an old maid teacher, is courted by a nice man and marries, but finds he wants to farm and they move to a 200 acre farm in the Mississippi Delta with his misogynist, racist father. When her husband's brother and his black friend return after WW2, the trouble starts after they've been used to the way things were in Europe and find they have trouble living under the racist rules in Mississippi.
Marj
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
That's pretty much my take on Sprinkle, too. A relaxing read with a nice puzzle to solve.
-
I loved The Other Boleyn Girl, both the book and the movie.
Thanks so much for your opinion. I love learning history through books. But not history books. I watched all the Elizabeth movies and loved them all. I thought the Helen Mirren one was the best.
Think I'll start The Other Boleyn Girl as soon as I finish one of my others. I can only remember so many story lines at once. ;)
-
Mudbound sounds interesting. I lived in South Carolina in the late 50's and Columbia at that time was extremely segregated.. They even had a black fair week and a white fair week.. Weird..
-
Oh, yes, Aberlaine. Learning history through fiction is more fun, but a
little iffy. Some is well researched, and some is...well...fiction. I have a
bad habit of criticizing, aloud, films that pull some really bad boners,
like using current slang in medieval settings.
-
Babi: Maybe you could consider the use of current language in a medieval story as simply translation, as in from French to English? I'm thinking of Chaucer, I'd not be able to understand much of it.
-
Bookmarks is here. So I made a list and just ordered several of the history fiction types from my swap club. They look good..I love bookmarks..
-
Not translation, JACKIE. I'm thinking of cheap movies where the medieval
characters are saying things like "Yeah, right." or making references to
things that don't exist yet.
I think my library has Bookmarks, but I may be confusing it with some other book magazine. I like historical fiction, too. What is Bookmarks recommending, STEPH?
-
www.bookmarksmagazine.com
-
Most libraries have a free "BookPage" every month. As far as subscription magazines, I have Never seen a Bookmarks at my library, in two branches. They may have it downtown, but I don't go there.
-
Babi, Bookmarks reviews, has articles, etc.. There are always at least half a dozen suggestions that I write down and look for .. They have a wide variety of recommendations..Fun.. Our Ginny turned me on to it several years ago and I love it. One of the few magazine subscriptions that I enjoy. That and Southern Living actually.
-
No, you're right, TOME. "Bookpage" is the publication I've seen at my
library.
I love Southern Living, STEPH, but I don't subscribe. Far too many far
too tempting things to eat, and gardens that simply make me despair.
My 'gardening' is largely limited to weeding and pruning.
-
Just finished The Three Weissmanns of Westport. If you love Sense and Sensibility and want to pretend that nothing has changed for women since that time, you might enjoy this book. But! What a soap opera, right down to the unexpected pregnancy. What 20-something is not on birth control pills? What single 50-something male does not know to use condoms? One reviewer said every woman will love this book..........5 women desperately seeking a man?!? I don't think so. What whiny, self-absorbed people. I read to the end hoping that at least one of them would get a life of her own...............didn't happen! I don't understand the popularity of this book. The comparison to Sense and Sensibility is apt, but we are now in the 21st century, the desperate S and S behaviors didn't work for me. .................. jean
-
Mabel: I took the book far less seriously than you, and found it wryly comic, absurdity on top of absurdity. I'm sorry you feel ripped off, it was meant to be enjoyed not arouse anger.
-
I began a new, fiction book, yesterday. It is called: "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand", by Helen Siminson. It is a gentle, story of a widower, and an East Indian widow. I really like the gentle pace. It is very relaxing to read. A nice change of pace from what I have been reading.
Sheila
-
Sheila,
I enjoyed Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" also... It was different from what I had been reading but was a nice change of pace for me...
On my trip home from NC I listened to Hannah's List by Debbie Macomber on audio cd in my car....It kept me awake and amused but was a rather transparent plot...I knew from the beginning what the ending would be...It was the first book that I had ever read or listened to by Debbie Macomber...
Joan Grimes
-
Macomber is a romance writer. gentle, but predictable.
Just finished reading an odd book.. I think non fiction actually. In Patricia Sprinkles book about the southern murder, she mentions the brain injury by the husband. She gave a list of books, she had used to characterize the book.. One of them was Where is the Mango Princess by Cathy Crimmins. I got it from my swap club. It is a truly fascinating book.. about a man who is run over by a boat in a terrible accident.. His brain injury is horrible, but he lives and this is his wives story of the recovery.. Absolutly fascinating book.. I know very little about brain injuries and nothing about the recovery if possible and this book is really good.
-
Coincidence! I just started "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand", too, SHEILA.
My older daughter's library had it on hold, and she just brought it to me
last evening. It's a nice change of pace.
I had a nephew who suffered a terrible head injury in a car/motorcycle accident
years ago. It was a miracle he survived. It affected his life for many difficult years, but
he did gradually make a recovery.
-
Jackie - my written response probably sounded "angrier" then i was about 3 Weissmanns, disappointed was probably a better word. I did giggle a couple of times, but i mostly just wanted to smack - lightly ;D - all of the women in the book. It seemed so old-fashsioned to me and I was surprised at some of the positive reviews i saw and that my library had 5 copies, all "out." .................. it's o.k., most of the books i've read lately have been delightful, so i was due for a disappointment.................. :P .........jean
-
Will move the Three Weismanns down on my list. Just now a brand new book has caught my attention.. The Lonely Polygamist by Brady Udall. The man has four wives and lots of problems.. Read a reveiw in Bookmarks and now its way up on my list. Sounds fascinating.
-
I read earlier the good reviews here of The Help. I was on the reserve list for weeks but finally picked it up day before yesterday. Finished last night. I was born and raised in Virginia and it brought a lot of memories back of that time in our history. It was a very good book.
-
Mabel, I did not enjoy the Three Weissmans either - in fact, I did not bother to finish it. I did not like the women characters - funny maybe, but I guess right now I didn't appreciate their behavior - perhaps stupidity is too strong.
-
I had better get The Help.. I will be the only person who has not read iti if I dont hurry up..
-
I had better get The Help.. I will be the only person who has not read iti if I dont hurry up..
You're probably right about, Steph, but it won't be time wasted. I haven't met anyone who has NOT liked it. Just an amazing first novel, and they're making a movie of it. Yay.
Sheila and JoanG, I'm looking forward to reading Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. DIL gave me her copy to bring home as her book club had read it. She knows the author, who came to their discussion, and whose children attend the same high school as my grands.
-
Hi Pedlin my friend. Are you coming to Seattle this summer?
Just finished Anne Siddon's new book as did another lady here at fairwinds. She is quite a literary person and told me to read it as she could not put it down. I fell for it and to say the least it is not her best work. Very disappointing. I enjoyed the Help very much. I have now read 45 books on my Kindle, I thought I would use it mainly for travel but find I like it very much in bed too.
-
I just spent the most wonderful evening...I watched " To Kill a Mockingbird" on Turner Classic movies tonight. It has to be the most wonderful movie ever made. I think I enjoy it more each time that I see it. I took a weekend bus trip to Monroeville, AL a couple of years ago...when they were having one of their special weekends...I enjoyed that throughly also...Joan Grimes
-
That's definitely my favorite movie, Joan - as it is for our daughters and granddaughters. Two of our girls stopped in Monroeville a couple of years ago on their way to our week at the beach. It's special!
-
Yes MaryZ. It really is special.
Joan Grimes
-
Ah, my literate friends. I am ashamed to admit that my favorite movie is an old one.. Robin and Marion.. Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn as I recall. I am a Sean Connery serious fan..Sigh.. Very romantic movie.. MDH hated it.
-
Steph, what did you think about South of Broad? I loved it and gave it an 8 out of 10. However, much to my surprise, I was definitely in the minority in my ftf reading group. Most of them felt that it was too contrived. I loved Conroy's writing and had no trouble accepting the premise. Have any of you read it and what did you think? I will be interested to hear.
I am currently reading "Arcadia Falls" by Carol Goodman and "Cutting for Stone" by Verghese. Both are good so far. I will read "Loving Frank" next for my ftf reading group. Anyone have any feed back of these books?
Sally
-
Sally, we both loved South of Broad. We felt it was more like the "old" Pat Conroy - when he wrote The Great Santini and The Lords of Discipline. We didn't care for Prince of Tides and Beach Music.
-
How can one not love Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn...especially Audrey! As far as I'm concerned, everything she did was good. I don't remember her playing Maid Marian, but I'm going to see if I can find the film.
I've just started an old pb entitled "Red Sands" by authors I don't know..Paul B. Thompson and Tonya R. Carter. The dialogue is florid,
the plot combines adventure and fantasy, it is all over-the-top,...and I
find myself wholly amused by it. ::)
-
Sally wrote: "I am currently reading "Arcadia Falls" by Carol Goodman and "Cutting for Stone" by Verghese. Both are good so far. I will read "Loving Frank" next for my ftf reading group. Anyone have any feed back of these books?"
I have Cutting for Stone on my TBR list, but it's over 500 pages, so it will be awhile before I get to it.
I haven't read Carol Goodman's Arcadia Falls. Perhaps I'll give it a try.
Her Night Villa was a DNF for me, needed editing I thought, pretty repetitive and boring IMO, altho many here at Sr. Learn who read it really liked it.
Marj
-
I have read Loving Frank....It really left me with a bad taste....Frank Lloyd Wright really is a disappointment to me...I had visited one of his houses here in Alabama and really wanted to read more about him...but he was a real disappointment to me...Glad I have read the book though and know what he really was like...Joan Grimes
-
FLW was undoubtedly a genius forging a new path for architecture but he was an SOB, IMHO. I read Loving, DNF, it was too grim. Speaking of Help, Stockett writes a jacket blurb for Sarah Blake's The Postmistress. Iris is postmaster she insists, of Franklin, the easternmost town in Massachusetts, on the very tip of Caper Cod, surrounded by water. Iris is the young doctor's wife, whom he leaves behind when he flees to 1941 London to help the Brits while Germany is trying to pound the city flat. 100 bombs a minute for five hours, Blake states, one dreadful day. Reporting from London is Ed Murrow's protegee, Frankie Bard who brings her unique skill at narration, carrying the listeners along as she describes the horrors. The lives of these three women tell a powerful story, full of the details which make up a war for those not directly involved. This one will be with me for a very long, long time. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/sarah-blake/postmistress.htm
-
Loving Frank is fiction, Joan. There are several nonfiction books about Frank Lloyd Wright. I have started Death in a Prairie House.
He was a fascinating man, but very arrogant, from what I understand.
-
Yes, I know that Loving Frank is fiction...I have read some non fiction about him too that really backs up his arogance and his whole attitude that is presented in Loving Frank....Just do not like the man...Joan Grimes
-
Salan, I enjoyed Arcadia Falls. I like the interweaving of fairy tales or other stories from the past with the current action. I also like the references to art or literature in Carol Goodman's books. I usually look for non-fiction books that provide more background about the art or literature topics that are part of her books. I've read all of her books and enjoyed them all (The Ghost Orchid somewhat less than the others).
-
I loved South of Broad, although it was a bit over the top occasionally.. Hated Loving Frank.. Like Joan G.,, I love his architecture, but Oh me,, what a terrible man.. We went to Taleisen in Wisconsin several years ago. Beautiful in many places, but oh me.. bathrooms are almost non existant, stair cases are teeny.. and the furniture is built in, so his taste is enforced, not whoever lives there. Still there are glorious bits. Falling Waters was spectacular..
The Postmistress sounds interesting.
-
Mrs Sherlock, thanks for the summary of THe Postmistress. I was unfamiliar with either title or author, but am now #2 on my library's hold list.
Frank Lloyd Wright was/is a big name in my hometown of Racine, WI. He designed the Johnson Wax building and also Wingspread, the home of the HF Johnson family (now a conference center). When I was a kid every out of town visitor to my home was dragged over to tour the building. And as a kid, what fascinated me was the fact that there were no windows.
Now, across the river from my SE Missouri home is the Stinson Library in Anna, IL, supposedly designed by FLW, but probably more likely by one of his students. I've been saying, for the past 30+ years, that I'd like to go visit it. Maybe some day.
-
My list of books I want is getting way out of hand. Ever since the accident, I am reading at about half the speed I used to. Still terribly hard to concentrate and sit still. I am so restless. I would guess looking for the man who is not here.
Also I realized the other day that planning for our rv trips and others took up a lot of our time. We searched the web, talked of areas, planned on rv parks or hotels.. Amazing.. when I think of the hours we investesd in travel. I would guess this was really our life.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
This might be a good time to find some new interest, STEPH. Is there
any volunteer work you might be interested in? Something you would like to learn how to do? Some old activity you'd like to resume? Quite
a few possibilities for someone who's feeling restless and looking for
something to occupy her mind. Happy hunting!
-
Florida at this time of year is not into volunteer work or clubs.. It will start up again in late August or September. I did try to volunteer at the library. but they only want childrens room volunteers and I simply do not want to deal with small spoiled children. I love my own grandchildren, but have never been a child person.
Cant volunteer at the hospital. Just not quite ready for hospitals.. Too vivid a memory.
I am going to volunteer at the genealogy part of the library in the fall.. I love genealogy and work at that . However ours is tiny and not at all complete.
I look at the volunteer lists each time they come out.. But most of them are not anywhere close to me.. So.. whine whine whine.. I know.. but I am really looking and thinking. A local animal rescue is almost done with their no kill shelter and I talked to someone about volunteering there. I am better with animals than people.
-
I spend a lot of time on Animal Planet on TV. A new animal shelter opened near
me recently, but I decided it's best to stay away. I don't think I could leave without taking on another pet, and with vet bills what they are I can't handle more
than the two cats I have now. I have enough trouble remaining firm about not
feeding the wee beggars that come around here. (I don't believe they are homeless, no matter how pathetically they mew. They look too clean and well.)
-
My two cats arrive at the kitchen every day at 4:30 even though they know feeding time is 6 and 6; woke up my son this morning at 4! This in spite of two feeding bowls with one cup each of their dry food! Since they are indoor cats they don't have access to neighbors, plus neither of them mews. The one that doesn't purr is practically a slut, demanding petting when he wants it. Not spoiled a bit.
-
As long as the shelter is a no kill, I should be fine. They seem to specialize on hunting type long legged large dogs and I have two corgi.. which is the limit in my townhouse community. Besides it is hard to walk more than two dogs at once. I have done it, but dont really like it.
-
Tell me about it, JACKIE. One of my two cats expects personal service,
sort of a "Tell me that you love me" performance. He wants to be escorted to his bowl, and see my hand actually crunching, or sprinkling, or whatever. He will ignore the food in his bowl while he butts at my feet for that personal service. I don't know if he's spoiled or terribly
needy!
Walking dogs is probably one of the volunteer services. They are
supposed to get some daily exercise. If they are long-legged hunting
dogs, be ready to trot! :D
-
Babi: A dog has an owner, a cat has a staff. My sister is a dog owner, boxers, and she is impatient with the silliness of cat keepers.
-
I'm w/ your sister, Jackie, I'm definitely a dog person, not a cat person. However, any animal that was waking me at 4am would be in danger of finding another home.................. ;D ;D ..............I am definitely NOT a morning person, either. ................. jean
-
I am a morning person, so the dogs do not bother me when they start moving about around 5-5:30 am.. They know this is when we get up.. If I raise my head and simply go..NO.. they settle back down. We are old together and that helps.
-
;) True, Jackie. But they are beautiful creatures, and have such distinct
personalities that they are a pleasure as well as, occasionally, a nuisance. But then, that's true of any live-in companion, animal or human. ::)
-
My two cats give me more pleasure than my two kids and I get unconditional love in return. Such a deal.
-
When my daughter moved in with me, two months ago, she brought her 1 year old Yorkie, Isabella, with her. I enjoy bpth dogs and cats. One of her friends asked her about adopting a nine week old, kitten. Her friend had found two kittens, and their mother, homeless, and has taken them in. She has found a home for the female kitten, plans to keep the mother, and wants a home for the male kitten.
Today, we decided to try him for a week. He is really beautiful. I hope it works out.
Sheila
-
Sheila: I'll be pulling for you and the kitten.
-
Be patient.. Cats are much more a solitary creature than dogs..
-
Our DIL had a cat when she married our son. I could live w/ her (the cat). When i'm over babysitting i never know she's around unless she wants to go out on the balcony then she goes to the door and meows. She's much less intrusive than our dog. Maybe i'm a "dog-person" because i've never lived w/ a cat........... :-\ :-\ ..............jean
-
I like all animals and have had a wide variety over the years. No cats just now, because when we traveled in the rv, did not want the litter box stuff. Dogs are a bit more complicated..But I cannot imagine my life without a dog.
Still reading the book written by an Englishwoman about reaching 60.. Interesting sort of nonsense in many ways..I do wonder if its true that the english no longer have to pay for presriptions at age 60.. That would be a wonderful thing.
-
Since England has 'socialized' medicine, it may very well be true. I am happy enough that a lot
of my taxes ceased at 65. ;D
-
I think it likely to be true. In Australia 'seniors' in possession of the means tested Health Care Card or whose sole income is the Government Pension are only charged a small fee to cover pharmacy dispensing costs and get the actual medication free.
-
The book which someone mentioned here that they bought in the dollar store is interesting although I simply cannot agree with a good deal of the what I dont want to do at 60.. But each to his own.
-
Thanks for the review, Steph. I started the book, but am only a few pages in. It is sitting by my bed in case I want to read something in bed which means I only ready a few paragraphs before nodding off or my cat intervenes. He places himself between me and the book and only moves after I turn the light off. Oh, yes, if I am still playing on the computer at 1:30am or after, he comes upstairs and gives me what for. It's time for bed MOM! Once I turn the computer off, he often goes back downstairs. So what is he - the lights out patrol? ;D
-
That's so funny, Frybabe. You've got a great companion :-)
-
There seem to be a whole lot of books about what to do in old age, all written by people around 60 i.e. people who are guessing. Most of us know more about it than they do!
-
Jackie - don't know when you put up the new "picture," but i just noticed it.......cute..........jean
-
Frybabe - Ahhhh Cats! My cat just tolerates me living in "her" house. As a matter of fact just the other day she suggested that I should start paying board / rent to her. :o
-
Sally wrote: "I am currently reading "Arcadia Falls" by Carol Goodman and "Cutting for Stone" by Verghese. Both are good so far. I will read "Loving Frank" next for my ftf reading group. Anyone have any feed back of these books?"
My book group read Loving Frank a few years ago. The one woman who was "into" architecture was able to ignore Frank's idiosyncrasies and look at the talent. I couldn't. I disliked him immensely, which means, I guess, the book was well written.
Nancy
-
My list of books I want is getting way out of hand. Ever since the accident, I am reading at about half the speed I used to. Still terribly hard to concentrate and sit still. I am so restless. I would guess looking for the man who is not here.
Also I realized the other day that planning for our rv trips and others took up a lot of our time. We searched the web, talked of areas, planned on rv parks or hotels.. Amazing.. when I think of the hours we investesd in travel. I would guess this was really our life.
It takes years to get "yourself" back, Steph, and then it's a new you. I lost my husband ten years ago and it's only in the past several years that I can look back fondly. Allow yourself lots of time to heal.
Hugs, Nancy
-
Thank you Nancy, you give me hope. I am still in the cry every day mode. I keep hoping that I can have memories without tears, but not yet.
-
The book which someone mentioned here that they bought in the dollar store is interesting although I simply cannot agree with a good deal of the what I dont want to do at 60.. But each to his own.
Steph, would you please email me the name of that book. The daughter of a friend of mine turns 60 tomorrow, and I'd like to send her a review of some that touches on that. Thanks.
-
Just read a fun book. The Bride Will Keep Her Name by Jan Goldstein. The book was in the fiction section of the library, but i would call it a mystery. The author is male, but the protagonist is female. He does a good job writing from a female perspective.
His site is here: http://www.jangoldstein.com/goldstein-bio.htm
It was an often humorous story about a woman who gets an e-mail msg a week before her wedding saying her groom is not who he appears to be. The best parts of the book are the interaction between the bride-to-be and her 2 best friends who have known each other since childhood and will do anything for each other. The parents and in-laws to be are well drawn characters - in both senses of the word - also. I like it. I'll look for the other 2 books...................
June 29 - I copied the above post from the "mystery" site because i got two of Goldstein's other books at the library last night and i tho't you might want to know about them here, they are not mysteries. I started "All That Matters" and read almost the whole 200 pages last night. It's a very different book, from The Bride. It was his first book and got great reviews. I don't want to give any of the story away, so i'll just say it's a wonderful story about a grandmother who survived the holocaust and a 20-something granddgt who thru interesting circumstances have to live together after having been out of touch for a couple yrs.
Again JG does an amazing job of writing women's tho'ts and voices. I highly recommend it. There is a lot of discussion about death and dying - but not in the least depressing. The grandmother has a wonderful philosophy of life that she learned from the woman who hide her as a thirteen yr old from the Nazis
The third book looks like it will be entirely different again. The title is something about Nantucket, it's upstairs and i have forgotten exactly what it is..............I will, of course, let you know what i think of it..........
June 30 - I LOVED "All That Matters." Finished it last night. Some may consider the ending schmaltzy - I might have been one of those, except JG does a great job of including humor at just the right moments. For any of us who have experienced depression and/or lose, or longed for a great realtionship w/ a grandparent/parent, this provides a lot of food for thought. .....................it is interesting to me that the reader reviews are all over the place. Some think the writing is great - i'm one of those - others think it's terrible...............uuuummm wonder why that is. ................anyway, i tho't it was a great story told in just 200 pages..........sorry this got so long....................jean
-
Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen, is a light little book, sort of a small r romance, but fun. Pretty good premise with just enough suspense, in the sense of what'll happen next, not in the frighten-the-reader sense. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/a/sarah-addison-allen/garden-spells.htm
-
Book by Virginia Ironside... No, I dont want to join a book club, diary of a 60th year.
I finished it. She is very very english and urban, so her idea of 60 and ours will simply not computer. But it is interesting in part.. This author writes a column in London..
-
"No, I don't Want to Join A Book Club" was not at all the read I thought it was going to be. Let me just say "disappointed". Didn't know it was so incredibly "English", and yes Steph, our ideas of 60 don't quite match up to hers.
-
Thanks Steph and Tomereader. I'll go check this out on the Internet somewhere before I send my birthday greetings.
-
Please forgive me for running this PBS promotion again, but the programming is scheduled to begin in a little over a week, and I have many FREE copies of Agatha Christie's book to give away. Can't figure out what to do with the extras. Can you think of anyone who might like to receive a copy?
Come July, PBS is celebrating A Christie's 120 birthday - with PRESENTS for all -
We know you have seen film productions of "Murder on the Orient Express" - but how many have actually read the book? If you are interested in receiving a free copy of the book (except for some postage), please email me your full name and mailing address and I'll get it off to you as long as the supply lasts. My email address is jonkie@verizon.net.
-
I haven't read a Stephen Birmingham book in a long time. I picked up Shades of Fortune at the library just for fun. It's his typical NYC Jewish family who owns a cosmetic company and there's a lot family squabble going on.......... i'll let you know if i like it in the end... :) .........jean
-
Sarah Addison Allen writes of young southern damsels in some distress facing difficult decisions which become more complicated when they gather into the mix a young, to-die-for male who hangs around. Not your typical Romance and with a touch of Fae, she places her heroines in unusual milieus where the reader is never sure of her footing. I loved the first, Garden Secrets as did my cousin who recommended it to me. My daughter loved it too, read it in one sitting. The Sugar Queen is her second and again I am enthralled. These are light Summer reads with Allen's unique twist to character and plot. Five stars.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/a/sarah-addison-allen/
-
Jackie, I loved Garden Spells. I recently read The Sugar Queen and The Girl Who Chased the Moon. I enjoyed both, but not nearly as much as Garden Spells.
Sally
-
I had great fun with Too Big to Miss by Sue Ann Jaffarian.. Sort of a cross between a novel and a mystery and fun.. Also has a sort of subliminal message on wheelchair bound and also heavier humans.. Interesting. Will look for the rest of her stuff.
-
I will look for The Garden Spells sounds good.
I just read an enteresting book by Richard Russo called That Old Cape Magic.
I was not a funny book for the most part but I LOL at the ending. Good book.
I will look up Garden Spells now on my kindle
-
We had a good discussion here last year, led by Traude, on That Old Cape Magic. I, too, found it an interesting book and enjoyed hearing the views of the others in the book discussion. We're going to Cape Cod in Sept. so it was neat to learn the names of some of the area, etc.
jane
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I'm about to start the first book in the Cedar Cove series, 16 Lighthouse Road, by Debbie Macomber. My book group took July off and I want to read some simple, quick books. If I like it I'll continue with the second one.
Nancy
-
Iam not a Russo fan, so will skip it.. Lived in New England for 10 years. Some of the cape is wonderful.. but not all.
-
My favorite Cape Cod book is not fiction: "The Outermost House" by Henry Beston. Back before the Cape was built up, he built himself a house on the Eastern edge, lived there for a year, and wrote about his experiences. I reread it when I'm stressed, and let the sea wash the "busy-fussy" out of me.
-
Nancy - i don't know that Macomber series, i'll have to look for it.......i want some light stuff also......i'ts to hot to think :D.......jean
-
Yes, light is better this summer. Just too muggy down here in Florida..
-
I just finished my third Jan Goldstein book The Prince of Nantucket His writing is so beautiful, almost lyrical. This book also includes 3 generations, as did All That Matters his first book. He speaks to real issues, again a young woman, this time a teen-ager, is having real problems w/ not having much connection w/ a father who is divorced from her mother. The protagonist is the father who is forced by his sister to reconnect w/ a mother who he hasn't had a relationship w/ for decades. The mother is a renown artist living on Nantucket who has alzheimer's, but has lucid moments. It's a real story of how we make choices in our lives and often have made the choice of ambition and later in our lives begin to figure out that those roles are not necessarily what we want in the maturity of our lives. It also talks about the reality of finding out as adults that what we tho't was happening in our families in our youth was not the truth at all. .................... I remember liking that issue in Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe. .......i recomment all three of Goldstein's books, the third one is very different, a little mystery titled The Bride Will Keep Her Name .......jean
-
I am reading a book called Lost andFound.. About a woman who is unexpectedly widowed, retreats to an island, lies or at least doesnot mention, she is a psychologist or a widow.. She goes to work part time as an animal warden,, and has met several interesting humans. I can only read a bit at a time, but it is interesting. Very different from the way I feel, but she expresses her grief and anger in dreams.
-
Thank God for dreams. They are often the only outlet people have for the emotions they try
to keep buried. They've probably helped a great many people cope.
-
I've gotten myself a new mp3 player which works wonderfully. I'm listening to The Bridge of Sighs and have added the first book in the Swedish Millenium series: The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo. In addition, I'm reading The Other Boleyn Girl. That's going very quickly, unlike The Bridge of Sighs. I may have to stop listening to that one.
Nancy
-
Nancy: My library has audion books to download for MP3 players so I'm looking at models now. It's encouraging to hear about your success with this system.
A pleasant little book that made quite an impact on me is Somedays There's Pie by Catherine Landis. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/l/catherine-landis/some-days-there-s-pie.htm
A 20-yr-old woman flees her husband who has become an evangelical Christain, caught up with a group of 20 some families who're setting up their own Little White Church. Ruth had lkeft home to get away from her family, not monsters, but not a good fit for our girl. She comes to rest looking at a river and a little, bent-over elderly lady sits beside her so they start to talk. It's no surprise that Ruth goes home with Rose who's standing by 'til Ruth gets back on track. The friendship between these two, 72-yr-old Rose, 20-yr-old Ruth, is beautiful and sweet, though this is not a smarmy over-sugared story. These are 'real' people, warts and all, who find a deep bond in spite of their differences. I'll be looking for Landis' next book. BTW, did I mention this is another southern women story? Is that a separate genre now do you suppose? It is certainly very popular here.
-
I have been meaning to recommend this book for some time. Has anyone read "The Book of Lost Things" by John Connolly? An Irish writer who normally writes crime, and is the creator of Charlie Bird, the private detective. The Book of Lost Things is quite far removed from his other books. It is a kind of fairy tale for adults. The only part I didn't like was his take on Snow White, but the rest I loved.
-
Jackie - will look for C. Landis, that sounds like a good read........jean
-
Will check out Landis.. Sounds good. I have the Book of Lost Dreams in my TBR pile.. Just have not gotten around to it.
-
Jackie, Catherine Landis is going to be the speaker at our Annual Meeting in November (Friends of the Library of Chattanooga/Hamilton County Bicentennial Library). She was raised here, and her parents still live here. I've talked to her on the phone, and she sounds great. I'm in the middle of Some Days There's Pie. Her second book is called Harvest.
-
Maryz: Lucky you. She sounds like someone it would be great to talk with, listen to. I'll be eager to hear how the event goes. Harvest is now on my list.
-
It is always fun when you get to meet an author whose books you have enjoyed..
-
PIcked up "Somedays there's Pie" yesterday at the library, haven't started it yet, have a couple others to finish first..........jean
-
Just received four books in the Mitford Years series from Amazon. I was looking for some quick, light reading and I saw that this series was recommended. I need to wait until I finish listening to the books I've downloaded or I'll be completely confused!
-
I listened to most of the Mitford series. Very light, calm and sweet tempered. Not much plot but the characters are fun.
-
The Stephen Birmingham book, Shades of Fortune, that i picked up a week ago is o.k. Typical SB, NYC, Jewish, wealthy family fight. Entertaining. I as think i said before, i haven't read a SB in a long time and just took it when i saw it.............jean
-
Jean, I agree that Birmingham is one of those old authors, who is predictable, but like you, I pick him up if I see one.. Interesting take always on old Jewish families in NYC.
-
Was it here where someone recommmended The Postmistress? I had trouble at first with the jumping around between London and the US, and with the characters that just seemed to appear without introduction. But now I'm finally getting into it and am enjoying it. The chapters dealing with the London blitz and the broadcasters there are fascinating.
Another title I saw recommended here, I think, I had to return without finishing -- The Imperfectionists -- well reviewed and highly recommended by many. Maybe another time. I think timing sometimes affects our mood about books, just as it does with films, but this title just didn't appeal.
-
Pedlin, I just finished the POSTMISTRESS. A good book, but I'll say no more. Post when you finish it.
-
Just finished Almost Paradise by Susan Issacs. I've liked most of her books, some are laugh out-loud funny, some are more serious, but good stories. This one is just so-so, and lord have mercy, it's over 600 pages long........i read to the end, but i wasn't sure i was going to make it. I tho't of quiting a couple times, but plowed thru because she had set up the book w/ a look at the end before you started the first chapter, so i was curious to find out how this woman got in the predicametn that she was in at the end............in a happier situation, i got the sixteenth Evanovich from the library yestereday, read the first 100 pages last night............jean
-
I like Susan Isaacs, but the early ones are better. Evanovich is great when it come to Stephanie.. Not fond of the early stuff being reprinted and dont do graphic novels.
-
I just finished reading DOOMSDAY BOOK by Connie Willis with another group. I was hesitant about reading it since her Lincoln's Dreams was a DNF for me. But I really liked Doomsday Book. About a history student who goes back in time to the Middle Ages. Just like being there yourself at a horrible time. But offset with subtle humor. Very good.
Marj
-
Marj: Doomsday Book is a favorite of mine, one I read over again every few years. Willis has written more about that History Department and its students' forays into the wilds of the past. One funnye on is To Say nothing of the Dog which stars an Oscar Wilde Victorian Age setting (think of "The Importance of Being Ernest"). Her latest, Blackout, also shares that milieu and is book 1 of 2: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/w/connie-willis/blackout.htm As the title hints it is about London during WWII and book 2, All Clear completes the tale.
-
Not that I am big on plays, but The Importance of Being Ernest is my very favorite.
-
Thanks, Jackie, for your recommendations of more by Connie Willis. I will add them to my list.
Marj
-
Was it here that I heard about "The Lumbly Lines" some time ago? I liked it, and am now trying to figure out what id the second in the series.
-
There are three Lumby. I read the first and have the two others in my tbr file.. Nice gentle sort of books.
I loved To Say Nothing of the dog, but have put aside Doomsday until I can deal with death better.
-
Joan: you might enjoy a look at the website of the author, Gail Fraser, Her husband did the charming art for the books and his works can be purchased there. http://www.lumbybooks.com/
-
One of Susan Isaacs' best books IMO is "Shining Through". It was published in 1988 about a young woman during the war years who goes from being "an average American girl who is transformed into an extraordinary woman of action and shining courage" (from the blurb). I got it at one of our "Friends of the Library" sales for a quarter and have read it a couple of times. I've tried several of her other books and didn't care for them at all.
-
I loved Isaacs first book. A very funny mystery based on Long Island, where I lived for a year. LIstening to the last part of a Jody Picoult about an Asburgers Syndrom child..Got it for the Nashville trip to play in the car.. Interesting in that it seems to consist of several voices..
-
I listened to most of the Mitford series. Very light, calm and sweet tempered. Not much plot but the characters are fun.
That's what I need right now, Steph, calm and quiet. It seems my days have gotten very hectic and I need to escape into another world that's relaxed. Thanks for the review.
Nancy
-
We've just now opened the vote for fall book discussions. You can vote for your top choice in Part I of the poll and then in Part II click on ALL of those you would be interested in discussing at some time. Some great choices - note that there are reviews linked to the book titles in the header in the Suggestion Box (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=309.msg78842#msg78842) if you are not familiar with some of them.
Are you ready? -
Click Here to Cast your Vote! (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3GVFW3V) -
-
I am still listening to the Jody Picoult.. The research must have been extensive. She really delves into Asburgers.. I still do not quite grip why the mother insists that Jacob ( who has asburgers) never lies.. Because of course he does and misleads as well. Oh well books are books in the end.
-
Jackie: thanks a bunch. I've ordered the second Lumbly book (Stealing Lumbly) online.
-
Senior brain kicking in. I am read a book called?? Journal of Lost Things.. or some such. A story of a Tasmanian girl who comes to NYC at age 18 and goes to work in a vast used book store. I just love it so far. I think it is the first book for the author.. I also think someone mentioned it here and that is why I have it..Anyway.. Thanks to someone .. It is a good book thus far.
-
Just finished a book called In the heart of the Canyon by Elisabeth Hyde. It was about a two week trip rafting through the Grand Canyon. There were a varied group of 12 people and their guides. Interesting. I have also started the newest Miss Julia book by Ann Ross. Perfect for a summer read.
Sally
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Will look for the grand Canyon book. Sounds interesting. We did a rafting trip many years ago. Fun, but I still wanted to be heliocoptered out for a shower..
-
I, too, am reading Jodi Picult's book "House Rules". I am amazed by all of the research she does for all of her books.
In addition, I am reading "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand". The author is Helen Simonson. It is a light, fun read, IMO.
Finally, I am reading "Potter's Field", by Patricia Cornwell. I am finding it even more grisily than her other books, which I have read.
Sheila
-
Am on the home stretch with Secret of Lost Things.. May have to reread it however to catch all of the asides and literary puzzles. Am listening each day to one of the discs for House Rules.. I keep marveling that noone has tried to discover what Jacob actually saw and did.. I would think with Asburgeres that would be critical.. I know.. its a book and not life.
-
I downloaded several free Austen books. I finished "Persuasion" and now into "Pride and Prejudice". I never read them during my school years.
-
Deep in the trial in House Rules.. Now the Momma becomes clearer in that to some extent, she drove her husband away with her obsessive need to be everything to Jacob. Interesting. Since I had a Mother who did some of this sort of thing with my brother after he was hit by the car and eventually recovered, but was crippled. My Mother spent her entire life after that fending off everything that disturbed her son.. Not a good thing.
-
When one family member becomes the entire focus of the mother/father, as in major illness or accident, the effect on the family can, and often is, profound as the other members struggle for acceptance of the need of the afflicted one and the loss of their own individual support system within the family. Divorce, alienation, aberrant behavior, souls in torment and drifting without an anchor. Obsessive behavior on the part of the parent destroys the objectivity needed to take care of her/himself as well as the other family members.
-
Jackie, I agree and that is probably why the Jody Picoult.. House Rules resonates. I spent my life from age 16 being truly unimportant to my Mother and I know how that made me feel.. So Theo in the book makes me remember how it all felt.
-
Ah, yes, STEPH. My older daughter's husband was hemophiliac, and his
mother was like that. I think she felt responsible for his disease, and
spent her life hovering over him. Whenever we were all together, I never saw her sit down unless she was eating. It was somewhat unnerving.
-
I finished listening to House Rules and as always the ending was horrible. Jody loves to abruptly end her books. Its like she got tired of it.. Not even remotely possible.. Oh well, the description of Asburgers was interesting.
-
Steph, you just stated the main reason that I quit reading Jodi Picoult a couple of years ago. She is a good writer, but her books left me depressed---not what I want in a book at this time in my life.
Sally
-
MOst of her books end badly for a favorite character. Sort of a hall mark for her.. Like you, I want up type things just now..I am not going to get it in the new book either.. Still Alice is a book about early onset Alzeimers in a Harvard professor.. Fiction, but sticking to what is know about early onset.. This is a great mind going and knowing it.. Fascinating, but as the disease is progressive, not going to end well. Written well though.
-
Steph: Your mention of the early onset Alzheimer's in a Harvard Prof. put me in mind of the real life case of the novelist and philosopher, Iris Murdoch who was still actively writing when the disease struck her. The experts say that her last book Jackson's Dilemmashows evidence of her already having Alzheimer's. I've read a lot of Murdoch's work and have Jackson's Dilemma on my TBR pile - it's been there forever - I've started it two or three times but never get very far with it - but I don't think that's got anything to do with the state of Murdoch's health at the time of writing - more likely the state of my mind at the time of reading :D
-
I finished Still Alice by Lisa Genova last night. She really is a wonderful author and has written a second book that is not yet published, but will be soon. Early Onset Alzeimers is mostly a genetic problem or so it seems. I loved the book.. Sad but clearly showing not only the beginnings, but since she writes in Alices voice, showing the progress. I highly recommend it.
-
I've just listened to and watched an interview with PD James on her 90th birthday in August.
It's really neat and only 8+ minutes long.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/video/2010/aug/03/pd-james-crime
-
Thanks, MarjV for the link to the P.D. James interview! An interesting woman. I always remember her saying that her parents had an inkling very early that she would be a mystery writer when her mother read "Humpty Dumpty" to her when she was a child, and she asked, "Was he pushed?"
Now I will get her first book that was mentioned, COVER HER FACE, and read it. Along with her Adam Dalgliesch mysteries, I also liked the so-called science fiction book she wrote, THE CHILDREN OF MEN.
Marj
-
I am struggling with The Hour I first Believed by Wally Lamb. I must confess he is rambling pretty bad at this point. I think about a third of the book thus far could have been edited. I will stagger on, but may start skimming..
The Columbine part was good and accurate. Most of the rambling is about the male main character..Oh well..
-
I saw the movie about Iris Murdoch and really did not enjoy it at all. I
picked up one of her books but did not finish it. Same reaction.
I like the P. D. James books; Children of Men was the only exception. I
found it unpleasant in a way I can't quite describe.
Isn't the male main character in "The Hour I First Believed" supposed to be Wally Lamb himself, STEPH? I haven't read it; that was just the impression I had from posts about it.
-
I dont think so.. This man is a messed up human. His wife was in the Columbine massacre , in the library hiding.. This is mostly the story of retelling that.. the mans alcoholism and messed up family life.. The wife ends up in jail because she was a DUI and killed a young boy.. It is sort of a you name it type book. I am skimming for the coherent parts. I like Wally, but the book really needed editing.
-
Hmm. Well, I like Wally Lamb, too, but I think I'll skip this one and let you do the honors. I've
gotten to where I won't even attempt a really long book unless I'm confident I'll find it worth while and engrossing. When I was young I thought nothing of reading huge tomes, but that was when I had all the time in the world.
-
Marg: thanks for the interview. I'll post it in the Mystery corner.
-
The Results are just in - you all have selected quite an interesting group of THREE for the Fall line-up:
ZEITOUN (Eggers)- An American epic. Fifty years from now, when people want to know what happened to the once great city of New Orleans during a shameful episode of our history, they will still be talking about a family named Zeitoun
We will read and discuss David Egger's Zeitoun in September with Ella and JoanK. This is a true story, but as gripping as Fiction. Just opened today - Zeitoun (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=1585.0) . Please drop in now and let them know whether you will be part of the discussion.
LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS (Le Guin) - Story of a lone human emissary's mission to an alien world. Groundbreaking science fiction hat leaves you thinking about gender issues, "nature vs nurture," nationalism and more. Proposed for October
EXCELLENT WOMEN (Pym) - High comedy about a never-married woman in her 30s, which in 1950s England makes her a nearly confirmed spinster.Often compared to Jane Austen Proposed for November
.
-
Looking forward to the Barbara Pym book...Always enjoyed her books.joangrimes
-
Flajean, the British Prime minister Benjamin Disraeli claimed to have read "Pride and Prejudice 17 times. I claim to have beaten him.
-
So far I've read 4 Jane Austen books. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite and next is Persuasion. Path, They are both books that can be reread more than once but since my first read is at age 74, I doubt if I'll be able to catch up with you. :D
-
Yes, I started young.
-
Yes, I started young.
Me too - but doubt I've made it through all of the books 17 times - Persuasion is the one I've read most times - closely followed by P&P.
Flajean: I'm always happy to hear of a new Jane Austen convert - I keep wondering whether you have read other 19th century writers or is Austen is a leap into uncharted waters for you.
I'm currently reading Tolstoy's Anna Karenina for perhaps the seventh time. Always find something different each time and find my sympathies attached to different characters - have never had much time for Vronsky though.
-
Gumtree, yes, Austen has been a delightful leap into uncharted waters.
-
If you have discovered and come to love Jane Austen, you may also love Elizabeth Gaskell. A large number of HER books have been made into films by the BBC as well.
And again, I recommend D.E. Stevenson and Angela Thirkill to any and all Austen fans.
-
Jean: I envy you: all those unread Austens!!
GUM: you have me beat on Anna Karinina -- I've only read it 5 times. About time I read it again.
Don't forget to check on Zeitoun, if you're interested. Not Austen or Tolstoy, but very good narrative non-fiction about a Syrian's experiences in hurricane Katrina.
http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=1585.0 (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=1585.0)
-
I recently read Jude Morgan's "An Accomplished Woman", which some reviewers have compared to Jane Austen with good reason. I
was surprised to find that Jude Morgan is a man; I expected from the
book that the author was a woman. Morgan's Lydia Templeton is a
bit more strong-minded than some of Austen's heroines, tho'. She
is not above cursing, though of course not in public. And she would
much prefer a liquid restorative to smelling salts. But she is most definitely a lady. A very enjoyable book. I'm hoping to find more by
this author.
-
Babi: This looks good. I love JA and also Georgette Heyer, this looks like it may have elements of both authors.
-
Will put Jude on my list to look at.. I am not quite sure about Zeitun... Will think on it.
-
I have way too much fun on my Kindell. I discovered a book called Thew Goddess Of Fried Okra by Jean Brashear and am loving it so far.
I read the Help when it first came out and enjoyed it, about the same time I read one I believe was called Roses and it was very good.
Also read the Fixer Upper and loved it. Every night I scroll through the best sellers and Kindell best sellers and always find something fun and not very expensive at all.
I have also aquired and I POd Touch and it is amazing, I don't think I have ever like anything as much as I do it. I know all news as its happening almost immediatlely. A few miutes ago it said a black hawk chopper had crashed trying to save 5 people stranded on a ice glacier in Alaska.
Have followed all day the plane crash in Dillingham which took Ted Stevens
I have met him and all Alaskans will mjiss him.
-
Judy,, glad to hear from you. I can hardly wait for my IPAD.. Sorry to hear about Ted Stevens.
-
I'm feeling the same reluctance to read 'Zeitoun', STEPH. I don't
doubt it is as good as people say, but I've read so much about that event, and of course followed it closely when it occurred. I think I just want to put it behind me, now.
-
I agree with you, Babi. I'm bored with the subject of Katrina. Just as i don't want to read any books about Columbine. Enough is enough!
marj
-
The tone of Zeitoun is factual storytelling, not whining "Oh woe is me". It's not "heartwrenching", more like a good suspense story. I couldn't put it down.
-
A friend gave me 3 of Dana Fuller Ross' books yesterday. I started Wagon's West: Independence. I can't believe i haven't come upon these books before. I like historical fiction and this is a boatload of historical fiction. There are 24 books in this series and he and his wife have written many, many more.......... That does concern me a bit. They must be doing them w/ assembly lines...........lol.......or help from "interns." He has about 4 different pseudonyms. I've just started, this first one is in 1830's; Andrew Jackson wants to send pioneers to the northwest to save that terrirtoy from the British and the Russians. Have any of you read any of his books.........here's the "fantasticfiction" site on hiim.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/r/dana-fuller-ross/
I'm also reading another Lorna Landvik novel (she of Angry Housewives Eating Bonbons.) This one is entirely different. It's title is Oh My Stars about a group of young adults who fall into being a club band, writing and playing their own songs, in the middle of the 20th century. A young girl who has had her arm amputated in a textile factory inadvertantly becomes their manager; the band eventually is 2 young white males and two young black males. They travel from carnivals and clubs in N. Dakota down thru the center of the country to Memphis. The story weaves it's way thru the complexities of their being an inter-racial group and her being "deformed" and the way people assess them and how they support and encourage each other. It's nicely done.
Jean
-
There are tons of Dana Fuller Ross books, I always assumed in the bookstorethat it was a proprietary name like the Hardy Boys series.. They are quite different in tone. The states are very popular and sometimes hard to find in paperback.
-
JEAN
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
JEAN, thanks for the url. I just ordered the first 3 of Dana Fuller Ross's books. I have enjoyed some of the books which you have mentioned liking. My taste in books, is similar to yours.
Sheila
-
Just Jean??? cryptic message..
I decided to read a beach book each evening to help me go to sleep in the motel at elderhostel... So I picked Candace Bushnell... One Fifth.... She wrote Sex and the City.. The book is like the old Cleveland Amory types. All about the rich rich rich.. but easy to just browse when you are tired.. Perfect beach book for anyone still doing the beach.
-
I am finding "Independence" enjoyable, perhaps too obvious in what's going to happen in the story. I've also had some problems w/ the "facts" of the story-line. e.g. the wagon train starts on Long Island, goes to Albany, than to Syracuse and all along i'm thinking "why are they going to Albany and Syracuse, they are headed to ST Louis?" Then he takes them from Syracuse to Harrisburg, Pa??? If they went to Albany to get on the Erie Canal, i cld understand, but they don't. There's no explanation for those places, except that the wagon master had an army depot on the Hudson River make a special wagon for him, but surely there were army depots in Pa and a trip from Lng Is to Harrisburg, thru NJ and Pa seems more likely................but maybe i'm just being picky because i know the area, and after all this is FICTION.............(calm down Jean and just enjoy it). .................................jean
-
Jean: I would have no clue that the route was anything less than direct to St Louis. I'm going to pay more attention to those details from now on.
-
Never read any of the series of Dana Fuller Ross, but I suspect that they needed it for the plot. But you are right. St. Louis was the jump point.
-
I just need to stop being so picky and enjoy the book...........i have a tendency to be critical of that sort of thing, i don't know why, i'm not generally critical or judgemental........I think this may have raised it's ugly head because the friend who gave me the books said she learned a lot of history by reading them. I guess i want her history, and others who are thinking the same thing, to be accurate, history being my 3rd or 4th favorite thing............ :)....jean
-
Really good historical fiction is hard to come by.. David Fulmer on New Orleans does an excellent job of a certain era.. I think that Phillippa Gregory is not bad on English history, although a tad romantic. Still she seems to flesh out some historical characters nicely. Janice Holt Giles did a really good job on the American west..
-
Louis L'Amour had a reputation for accuracy in his Western novels,
also. He reportedly knew the land well, and what he described was actually there. I felt I learned a great deal from his earlier novels, but
his late ones tended to be more lecture than story.
-
Historical fiction needs a good base in facts, true, but the story is still the thing, isn't it?
I'm not sure about the wagon trains to Independence, but maps and mileage weren't as accurate back then, and there weren't always the necessary supplies in every town, and I believe some of the trains picked up wagons along the way to get enough for the trip. Roads also needed to go where easiest and safest. Someday, maybe in my next life, I will be able to research all these things.
This reminds me of when I was reading one of the Maisie Dobbs mysteries set in England after WWI. One plot involved a "white feather" group - I wasn't sure about the accuracy of that, but a friend who is tied to his computer by his wheel chair spent some time reading up on the white feather society for me, and I appreciated the story line even more.
-
And, of course, Tony Hillerman was incredibly accurate in his place descriptions. We have driven over his roads and found his places many times. And the Navajo had great respect for him because of the accuracy and respect he showed in depicting their people and culture.
-
I'll post this on mystery also. Steig Larsson's site has a map online showing the locations of various sites he refers to in his stories: http://www.stieglarsson.com/millennium-stockholm-map
The Stockholm City Museum has organized a walking tour to places such as Blomqvist's favorite bar and the hangout for Salender and her friends, both real places. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20100712/ap_tr_ge/eu_travel_trip_sweden_dragon_tattoo_tour
-
Steph, I'm reading "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory. I don't know if it's historically correct, but it's a great story.
-
Tony Hillerman.. Oh me, when we went to his part of the west some years ago, we found we could actually trace the steps in the novels. It was so neat.. He is such a good writer..
I am now reading The Boleyn Inheritance. I have always been intrigued by Anne of Cleves, so picked this up. Interesting portrayal of Anne and Mary Boleyn, the widow of George is a main character. Of course the Duke of Howard is one of the manipulators.. And Henry is already a monster..It is good thus far. Its my go to bed book and excellent in that it is episodic..
-
Good points, NL. The most direct route wasn't always the best or the
safest way to go. And some cities(?) were gathering places for folks headed West.
-
Authors who write about the west always attract my attention. Ivan Doig has gained a permanent place on my TBR list; I will read whatever he writes. Whistling Time was the first of his books I read, a story about four boys growing up motherless in the Montana of 1909-1910, one hundred years ago. The story starts when their father engages a housekeeper whose newspaper ad reads: "Doesn't cook but doesn't bite either." Great characters, sense of place strong, engaging plot. Next I picked up two, one in which the housekeeper's brother from Whistling Time stars, and the other about WWII called The Eleventh Man which features the 11-man undefeated football team starting line at Treasure State U of 1941 who enlist to a man when war breaks out. The principal, captain of the team, is plucked from the air corps just after he gets his wings to become a roving correspondent for the fictional military news service whose initials, TPWP, becomes known as Teepee Weepy. His assignment? Follow the stories of his teammates who are serving in severasl different branches of the military scattered all over the war front. I was 6 when Pearl Harbor was bombed so my memories are those of a child; the writing seems to me to be real, as real as fiction can be, and I've gained a new respect for those who leapt to the defense of their country. This is a tough story to tell and it is tough reading. It has the same authenticity, to me, as the best WWII homefront movie, IMO, "The Best Years of Our Lives". http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036868/
-
Did I ask here (or was it another of my groups) if anyone had read
anything by:
http://www.craigallenjohnson.com
-
I haven't yet read him but his first book is now on my TBR list. Thank you for the mention.
-
Almost done with Wally Lambs book. It has wandered all over creation. He really has two books in one. Dont know why his editor did not enforce that.. Interesting in parts, but not in others.
-
That first book cover looks familiar to me, TOME, but I can't say I
remember reading it. The title doesn't ring a bell, either. Maybe I read
another book that had a Western looking fellow with a rifle slung over
his shoulder.
-
I love Tony Hillerman, too. Interesting that when PBS filmed some of his mysteries, I found that you didn't get as good a sense of the country from seeing it as you did from reading Hillerman's descriptions. You feel every bump in the road.
-
We went to an Elderhostel that included a section on Hillerman. The speaker was a Navajo. They truly respect Hillerman and the way he depicts their culture and history. And they realize that he makes the landscape and weather characters in his stories.
-
I'm reading a new book..almost finished...that I'm not sure how to classify. It's titled "The Tower, The Zoo and The Tortoise", by Julia
Stuart. The tower is the Tower of London, the tortoise is Mrs. Cook,
reportedly the oldest tortoise in existence, and the characters are the
Beefeaters and their families who live in the tower. All I can tell you is
that I've thoroughly enjoyed it.
-
Babi: Sounds like fun. Is it fiction? I've put my name on the reserve list.
-
Oh, yes, JACKIE, it's fiction...but the Beefeaters really do live in the Tower. And old as it is, it's not the most comforable place to live.
-
I remember our guide who was a retired beefeater telling us that they lived in the tower and the legend of the ravens who also live there. Interesting but was never sure he was telling the truth. Sounds like he was.
-
Yep, he was. The ravens are messy and bad-tempered, but TRADITION! prevails! ::)
-
For all of you who remember Jon Lamaitta died yesterday morning.
Sorry about the spelling of her last name.
She was active in the early years and I am sure she was at the Chicago trip.
She has veen sick for a long time and this is a good thing.
Their are memorials at both Senior and Friends and at Norms site on Yahoo.
-
I'm now up to my eyebrows in books. I'm reading two - The Other Boleyn Girl and Zeitoun - and have five on my two mp3 players. I think I've overdone it on the audio books, but they last forever. I never have to return them to the library, only erase them.
I'm also waiting for "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" in audio format. That's my book club selection for September.
-
My September book club is The Lost Symbol.. I am staggering around in the beginnings, but oh me, does he have to have such drama in the villain.. Sigh.. and a cut off finger.. Think this one is not going to be a favorite of mine.
-
"The Lost Finger." Forget that one,..got it, thanks!
-
Was it here that we were talking about how to repel ants? After not seeing an ant since I moved to California, suddenly I'm overrun with them, an aftereffect, I'm told of the termiting that was done last month.
-
I only just now read, sprinkle 20 Mule Team Borax around the perimeter of the house, or inside, along baseboards. Keep your pets away from it. I'll go back and find the article, and post it here about multitude of uses for borax.
-
Pets and small children.. No Borax..
I am reading at bedtime, a Phillipa Gregory..This one on Anne of Cleaves and Katherine Howard.. It occurs to me.. What did Henry VIII have that would cause a sore never to heal and smell horrible. Need to find a decent biography of him. Possibly that will make the issue clearer. I get the weight,,but both of women go on and on about the horrible smell from a sore.
-
This is what I found on line, and right from the Brits themselves:
The sores – varicose ulcers, which began on his left leg when he was 36, and later affected his right – may have been caused by the restrictive garters he wore to show off his calves. They never healed, and increasingly restricted his mobility.
He was horribly overweight, and had, so they say, malaria and many other conditions and diseases. You can google just
Henry VIII sore leg
and get a lot of information.
-
Thanks for the borax tips. I think my grands are old enough thatthey wouldn't get in trouble with it. But I'd rather use something non-toxic. I remember man6y tips (red pepper?). If I could remember which discussion it was in, I could find it. Does anyone else remember?
-
One of our Aussie buddies mentioned a series about English country life as exemplified by one family, the Cazalets, before and during WWII. Elizabeth Jane Howard, wife of Kingsley Amis, has a deft touch in juggling the lives of this family which consists of father, mother, four adult children, their spouses and children, plus servants and satellites, i.e., one wife's sister and family plus the children's female tutor, and so on. Reading the first book, The Light Years, I've become enamored. Happily there are more Howard books for me to read.
-
I know I mentioned THE CAZELETS in here some weeks back; but I'm from Virginia and living in Maryland and not one of the Aussies.
I adored the books and the mini-series. I own both the videos and the DVDs. I watch them over and over. I passed the books to a granddaughter, who loves them as well.
-
Well I always heard that henryVIII's terrible stinking sores were caused from syphllis from which Henry suffered...Joan Grimes
-
Joan, that would've been my guess. ::)
-
I've heard a chalkline words to stop ants..............jean
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Mary: Forgive me; my mind is like a sieve. I do thank you for the mention, didn't know it was on DVD.
-
I heard syphilis as well, but varicose ulcers sound more likely. I saw the famous portrait of him at a museum( Tate probably) in London. That was likely late 30's or so since he is very stocky, but not really fat.. Formidible man.. I just found that several books I have read talk of the incredible vanity and that when he was young, he was good looking , but later all you hear is that he became a monster. Interesting what ultimate power can do to you.
-
MrsSherlock, The Cazelets was on Masterpiece Theatre some years ago, and that is what caused me to read the books and buy the series. It was a mini-series, not a seasonal series. If you go to Barnes & Noble (which is where I practically live) and click on DVDs and then put the name THE CAZELETS in Search, it will show you what is available. For those who do Amazon instead, you can do the same. And if you do Amazon.uk you can find all of the Masterpiece Theatre stuff. DO NOT order DVDs or videos from the UK; they won't work on our equipment. Books, of course, are just fine and it is cheap and quick to order them this way. You can often get things directly from the UK that are not yet available here. You do have to be a bit careful, though, even with the books, as frequently a book will have one title in the UK and another in the USA. This was true of the Harry Potter books, for instance.
One of my friends was raving about The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest last spring, and I pointed out to her that it had not yet been published here. "Oh," she said, "I couldn't WAIT after reading the first two, so I sent across the pond for it via Amazon.uk!" I was so jealous, but had already preordered it from Barnes & Noble.
Have always read all I could get my hands on about Henry VIII (well, all English History, actually, and if you have not yet read Thomas Costain's THE LAST PLANTAGENETS, do! 3 or 4 books, as I remember, and in the list for the best history reading Ever! Henry VIII not in these books.) and it is clear that he was held as a wonderful young man of great high spirits and congeniality, and that the leg problems changed his personality, not his power.
-
How I loved Thomas P Costain! The Silver Chalice His historical novels carried me to glorious vicarious adventures. The Conquering Family is the first of his non-fiction series about the Plantagenets. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/c/thomas-b-costain/conquering-family.htm
-
I agree, MrsSherlock; I found everything Costain ever wrote to be wonderful and exciting; not to mention I learned a lot the easy way!
-
Those non-fiction Costain books sound interesting, Jackie, i'll have to look for them. Maybe you should post that in "non-fiction" also. They are always searching for good non-f.
I finished Dana Fuller Ross' Wagons West:Independence It was enjoyable, not heavy, maybe a little predictable, but a fun read. It is the first in a whole series of the move west. The next one is Nebraska which i also have. I have found that there seems to be a confusion around the name Dana Fuller Ross. It's been used by two different authors as an alias and both of them write historical novels about the West and the military. Noel B. Gerson, who apparently - it's hard to tell which DFR is which, it looks like they are confused even on the fantastic fantasy website - has written at least 325 books, was the first one to use the DFR name and he died in 1988, according to the NYT. Now an author named James Reasoner is using the name DFR. He has collaborated w/ his wife and other authors at various times to write in the same genre. Sounds a little fishy to me.......................some of the bibliography lists have the two authors confused................but the books all sound rather interesting, so maybe it doesn't matter. They will give me enough reading for the next 20 yrs.........lol...............altho Gerson's ghost may not appreciate someone else using his nom-de-plume.
I'm also reading a very good Mary Alice Malone book - is there any other kind than "very good?" I guess that's a redunancy. :) Time is a River Different from the other books of hers that i've read.
It is not a "beach" setting, but set in the mts of western NC and it is not an intergenerational story like Beach House, etc. But it is about a woman who has survived breast cancer and is dealing w/ the aftermath, including a husband who has decided he now wants someone else.
As usual w/ MAM's books, i am learning about a subject i know nothing about - fly fishing! Having grown up in an Applachian valley in Pa, i love reading her descriptions of the woods, mountains and river. I spent many hours on a piece of mountain land that my father owned about 10 miles from our house - so quiet and pleasant and natural.......The book is similiar enough to So Happy Together that i have to be sure my mind is thinking about the right book and character when i talk or write about either of them.................jean
-
Did you mean Mary Alice Monroe?
-
Yes! Of course! See, my mind is still confused..........LOL.......where did Malone come from??...jean
-
Malone, a good Irish name and no one could mind being called a Malone! My mind stays confused...I couldn't have named Mary Alice, except I knew the Malone didn't quite work. Hang in there.
-
I fear it may sound as though I am harping, but.... Alison Weir writes the best historical biographies I have read. I am currently reading "Elizabeth. The Queen" and I am so consumed by it that I feel as if I am in Elizabeth's life. Lexically dense, but excellent. Also take a look at Weir's bio of Eleanor of Aquitaine, probably my favourite Royal. Weir's specialty period is Tudor and although she hasn't written a book about Henry VIII himself she has written "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" which is waiting on my bookshelf to be read after I finish Elizabeth.
-
jackie - A long long time ago I saw a movie called "The Silver Chalice". I think Paul Newman may have been the star. Am I on the right track?
-
Yes, i like Alison Weir also, but the last one i read on Eleanor of Aquitaine was more about Henry the II than EA. Of course, that material would be easier to come by. ........... It was a DNF for me, altho i read about 2/3rds before i gave up.................jean
-
Jean - Don't let that turn you off. Please persevere - it is worthwhile.
-
I love Thomas Costain and have the nonfiction four volume on my book shelves. Hate to mention how old it is.. I remember Silver Chalice.. We got out of school ( the latin classes) to go to the movie. First movie role for Paul Newman (I think).
-
Not at all, JEAN. There's 'good', and then there is very good. 'Good' is enjoyable, 'very good' is recommended. 8)
-
Look at the cast members, so many famous names. Paul Newman became the object of worship for me and my high school buddies. We went downtown to see a movie every week. (No one was dating yet) Remember downtown?
-
PS Here's the link to "Silver Chalice" featuring Paul Newman: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047494/
-
Eleanor of Aquitaine is one of my top favorites, too; and I own that and several other books about her. Also own The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Remember how we learned them? Divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, lived!
-
I had the biggest crush on Paul Newman -- still do. I was saddened when he died. It's nice when you have a crush on someone who seems like a good person. My other crush was on Frank Sinatra -- less good.
We didn't get to go "downtown" to see movies -- there was a theater in the neighborhood.
-
I learned it
divorcecd , beheaded, died, divorced beheaded survived...JoanGrimes
I still believe that sphyllis caused the ulcerative condition on HenryVIII's leg...remember there were no miracle drugs to cure such things.JoanGrimes
-
I had always heard that he had "gout".
-
Gout is a build up of uric acid crystals in the joints; look like needles. He may have been diabetic since wounds don't heal normally if the pancreas is under-performing.
-
mary page: Alison Weir has now turned her skills to writing historical novels. I actually used the book called "Innocent Traitor" about Lady Jane Grey as my "Author, author" challenge. You may like to check it out. It must be exciting for her to be able to utilise her talents as a historical biographer into a "new" career as a novelist. Wouldn't it be something to be able to write like that? Long may she reign.
-
I thought Henry's leg problem was caused by syphilis - but gout and diabetes could be present as well. I know Henry was much earlier but I read somewhere that in England during 19th century one in ten people were suffering from syphilis - this included children born with the disease who had little chance of survival. Thanks be for modern drugs.
-
Well, it looks like 2010/2011 is going to be the Plague of the Bedbugs! Gives me the willies, it does!
-
Bedbugs.. Oh me, I can just hear my Mom.. She regarded them and headlice as proof of dirtiness.. Now it seems that lice is common in most schools.
-
So one of my granddaughters tells me. Two of her three little kids (3 of my 17 great grandchildren) are in elementary school in Montgomery County, Maryland. That area has long been a "bedroom" community for Washington, D.C. and had one of the top ranked school systems in the U.S.A. Lo! They have a big infestation of head lice and these critters seem to be getting immune to what used to get rid of 'em!
Apparently that is the problem with these new generations of bedbugs; we lack the pesticides to kill them. I would sort of like to become a hermit until they find something.
-
And we all thought DDT was a miracle. Survival of the fittest in action.
-
When I was a young girl, my family moved into an old farmhouse in Iowa. We discovered we had bedbugs. Ugh. My mom got DDT and that got rid of them in a big hurry. I suppose it's not safe to be used regularly, but too bad they can't use it against those pests.
Marj
-
Marj: These pests abound because their ancestors survived the DDT generation and produced offspring mostly immune to pesticides.
-
MARY: I lived in Montgomery County for 40 years, (and yes, my children got head lice): my sister, PatH, still lives there. Where do your granddaughters live?
Good luck with the bedbugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-
If you're thinking of joining the Zeitoun discussion in September, but haven't been in the prediscussion, the Zeitoun family will be interviewed on PBS's Tavis Smiley show tomorrow (Friday).
-
JoanK, MaryPage is my first name, am not called Mary. I, too, lived in Montgomery County for years. Silver Spring from 1946 to 1953, then Rockville from 1953 to 1962, then Bethesda from 1962 to 1967. Then moved to Fairfax, Virgina and lived there 1967 to 2000, when I moved here to Annapolis, which you would know is in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
This particular granddaughter lives in Montgomery Village, which back in my day used to be farmland with a Gaithersburg post office address. Now they have their own zip code! When I go to visit with them, I just cannot get over the changes!
I do not have bed bugs, and have never seen one in my entire 81 years! Am just really afraid of the nationwide problem erupting. They are now saying not to go to the movies (in the upholstered chairs), fly on planes, go on cruises, go to hotels, even not to sit in upholstered chairs in doctor's offices! Scary stuff indeed.
-
Yes, I gather that DDT did horrid things with the survival of some of the bugs. all resistant to almost anything. Oh well, once we had sand fleas in the house and I guarantee those little horrors were a mess to get rid of as well..
-
MARYPAGE: I'm glad you told me -- I almost called you Mary on another site.
I lived in Montgomery Village for 37 years (in Stedwick II). When I moved there, I could see farms from my house and hear roosters crowing in the morning. The woods were full of birds and I could see the stars at night. By the time I left, all those things were gone.
Not go to movies!! My grands will revolt!
-
Joan, I can remember when Quince Orchard Road was not even paved! I had a dear friend who had a farm there, though she only grew horses and iris and stuff for her own family to eat, back in the fifties. Now, one daughter and two granddaughters and 6 great grands live in Montgomery Village on Oak Bluff Drive, almost across the street from one another. One granddaughter is divorced, and her mother lives with her and her 3 kids, while the other granddaughter, her sister, lives with her husband and 3 kids.
-
I just finished Yann Martel's latest book, "Beatrice and Virgil". I was anxiously waiting for this book as I absolutely loved his "Life of Pi". The book was a big disappointment to me and I would not recommend it to anyone. Has anyone else read it. If so, what did you think???
Sally
-
Just wear long sleeves, so your friends won't know, and will let you come into their homes. ;D
Remember Hiding Place author Carrie Ten Boom. She and her sister were so dismayed when they arrived at the concentration camp and found their section of the barracks to be infested with either bed bugs or fleas. However, there was one bright spot -- the Nazi soldiers never ventured into their area -- because of the bugs.
-
My sister in law is here and we are having great book discussionis. She is a teacher of teachers, etc. at a college level and have so much fun discussin what we are reading and the world of teaching from her level.
-
What a joy that must be STeph, i wish i could be a fly on the wall......jean
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Move over, Mabel, make room for me on that wall.
-
Pedlin, I remember Corrie Ten Boom. I read her book "The Hiding Place" and also the movie when it first came out. I remember long lines waiting to get into the movie. FlaJean
-
MaryPage, after you mentioned the Cazelets, I got all four books from my library. When I first started reading the first one, I wasn't sure I would like it, but it sort of drew me in. By the time I got to the second book, I was really hooked. I finished the last one at 3 am this morning. (I'm not doing that again.) I really did like the ending. I'm glad the books stopped before Duchy (Kitty) died. I admired Archie and Duchy most of all the many characters.
Jean
-
Yes, Kay first taught ADHD for many years at a primary level, then went into administration for the programs.. Then got both the national Teacher thing and her doctorate. She retired early and went to work at college teaching mostly graduate level teachers, although for the past year, she has also had five students who are student teaching each semester and she shepherds them along. Learning to teach ADHD is a challenge.
She and I had such a good time. She knows the newest language and methods for ADHD and Asburgers, etc. Fun to listen to how far we are advancing in many ways. The constant challenge is pursuading the parents to follow along..
-
Tell her to get herself in here, Steph, she sounds like someone we would like to hear from................jean
-
Believe me, I did. Between teaching and supervising, she also is the President of the local chorale society and as she put it.. In four years when I retired, I will join immediately, but just now I spend way too much time on the web with the lesson plans, etc.
-
I understand completely............teaching takes up much more time than non-teachers can imagine...........we'll look forward to her joining us.....4 yrs is not that long ahead.
Just finished Catherine Coulter's Blindside, liked it, will get more of her's, not very complex, but a good story............jean
-
She knows the newest language and methods for ADHD and Asburgers, etc.
Steph, my nephew was diagnosed with ADHD very early. After he had completed most of his high schooling they changed their minds and decided he had Asburgers Syndrome. Jason quit school before he got his HS degree but shortly after studied for his GED on his own and earned it. He took several college level classes, and worked part-time for a while at Cornell doing cataloging work. I forget whether it was the library or the ornithology department. He really liked that work and had hoped that the funding would allow him to continue.
-
I have a grandson who was diagnosed with Ausburgers When he was very young...He graduated from high school and now is attending college at Clemson ,South Carolina....He has a steady girl friend. He took classes during the summer at The citadel in South Carolina... He made an A and 2 Bs in those summer classes...He does well in the structure at the Citadel...Joan Grimes
-
That's great Joan. Wish I could say that my nephew is doing that well.
-
For people struggling with Asburgers or wanting to know more. I can recommend JOdy Picoult.. House Rules.. Fiction, but very well done.
High functioning Asburgers is getting a lot more attention. Temple Grandin has helped enormously.
-
Hoping you will not think I am being insensitive, but the actual spelling is "Aspergers".
-
Oops.. Sorry I picked up the spelling from something I was reading. Odd. possibly they had changed it or the article in the paper got the spelling wrong. Who knows, but I do apologize for the incorrect spelling. At least hopefully everyone knows what I meant.
-
Yes I knew the spelling was incorrect but I do hesitate to correct anyone's spelling anymore if it can be understood...I used to be sucha stickler ofr correct spelling...But i have really changed in so many ways since I am now a retired teacher and not a teacher any longer.... 8)Joan Grimes
-
That's what I get for being lazy about checking the spelling. I thought it didn't look right.
-
Jean, I am so happy to hear that you loved THE CAZELETS. I always have this feeling that when I truly love something, I want the whole wide world to know about it. Of course, the truth is, we are all different and that just does not work. I did feel one thing most important about these books, though, and that is that they portray the sense of World War II in England so very well. Not the war itself, of course, but its affect on families and daily living.
One of my daughters has a dear friend who has a son with Aspergers. He took 5 years to get through a private high school. He was great academically, but they felt he needed an extra year of maturing socially. Now he has just begun his Freshman year of college at a state college here. He also won a large, 4-year scholarship to a great private college, but his parents felt the state school, which is the mother's alma mater also, would be better as it is quite close to home. This lad is quite, quite brilliant (he used to tell me all about bugs by the hour when he was about seven, including their Latin names!), but it is the fitting in that makes difficulties.
The heroine in Steig Larsson's books, Lisbeth Salander, has Asperger's.
-
I'm reading Zeitoun by Dave Eggers. A true story of a Muslin caught in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Very timely, on both topics. And very well written.
Nancy
-
I read Zeitoun in 2 days----a record for me-----couldn't put it down. Definitely the best book I read in 2010 :) but then I live in Louisiana, the locale of the book.
JOY
-
Still unsure about that book.. New Orleans fascinates me, but the Katrina debacle is hard for me to deal with.
-
I didn't mean to offend or even "correct" people in such a way. Just didn't want anyone to be embarrassed if they needed to use the word in a more official sense some day. Yes, I taught English for 20 years - in case you hadn't guessed. I taught English as a Second Language to adult refugees and migrants. One thing they always asked me to do was to correct their spelling or pronunciation. I didn't mean to apply it to English speakers, I just thought that it might help in this circumstance. btw you are more than welcome to "correct" me as well. :-[
-
It doesnt bother me if people correct my spelling.. Ii was an excellent speller most of my life, but it tends to go with age. Now I will say that pronounciation is tricky. I know someone who loves to pounce on this and I notice that it makes people irritated. I know when I was young, I grew up in the country, read everything and anything and had no idea how to say some words.. I learned rapidly, but I know it was humiliating for me to have an adult correct me. Now I could care less. I have a cousin who taught
English to 7th and 8th graders for many years.. Now I always regarded her as a saint. That is a terrible age.. Whew..
-
I always appreciate anyone correcting my spelling or pronunciation; but then I am an ex-teacher with 2 older sisters and a mother who were teachers. My younger sister, however, does not appreciate being corrected. I used to always try to correct her pronunciation, since she was in the business world and I thought she would not like to be embarrasssed in front of her clients. She finally told me how she felt and I apologized (although I have to bite my tongue around her). Poor spelling and bad grammar just "jump" out at me. I know that I have been guilty of both; but I do want to be corrected.
Sally
-
I find that spelling words correctly has gotten worse over the years. I used to be an English teacher so misspelled words grate on me like fingers on a chalkboard. I think it's coming from the terrible education our children are getting and the new "language" of texting.
We who spell correctly are a dying breed.
-
Me, too, STEPH. There are so many words I've read that one simply
doesn't hear in normal conversation. Many a time I've been assuming a
word was pronounced one way, only to learn I was mistaken.
I also run into problems trying to imagine how to pronounce some of the
strange names one sees in sci/fi and fantasy. It's anybody's guess. Once
in a long while the author will include an appendix with pronunciation
and I've always appreciated that.
SALLY, I find that misspelling, especially, 'jumps out' at me when
reading a book or with the closed captioning on TV. Absolutely no way
to correct those! So annoying.
Good point about the texting, ABERLAINE. "Communication" now is
largely shortcuts. It occurs to me, tho', that some of our conventional
spelling does use a lot of unnecessary letters. Does it really make sense to write 'ough' for 'oo' and 'uf' and "o"?
-
Wanted to tell you about a couple of books I really recommend:
I just finished a beautifully told short novel, CONFESSIONS OF A PAGAN NUN by Kate Horsley. It's set in the Ireland of 500 C.E. at a time when Patrick 's Christianity was beginning to drive out the old Druid ways. A nun, formerly a pagan, now living in Saint Brigit's monastery, tells the story of her being reared in a pagan village and her longing for the ability to read and write. I loved her questions as she begins to see what is happening as her world changes. You really are taken back to that time in Ireland when the Druids lived there. Fascinating and thought-provoking book.
I'm currently reading TO A GOD UNKNOWN by John Steinbeck. His writing is so good, it actually hurts to read it sometimes.
Marj
-
I'm finding that I really need to reread anything that I send online, as I make more and more careless errors -- hear, when I mean here, their for there, dumb stuff. And then I can't believe I did it. And then there are those bugaboos that were so hard to learn, and now are so had to remember -- judgement/judgment, absence/abscence, privilege/priviledge. :(
Babi, has anyone said how to pronounce the non-fiction book that so many of us are reading -- Zeitoun? As for names in the news, I use captions when watching TV, so I hope someone will correct my pronounciation/pronunciation. Plus, in this country we tend to anglicize/anglicise/anglisize names and that makes it even harder -- i.e. SotomayOR or SotoMAYor?
-
And even in closed captions, there are numerous misspellings in movie captions, as well as on newscasts. Just warts the heck out of me. And has anyone noticed in newspaper advertisements that lately there are numerous misspellings? Education has been dumbed down in so many places that kids can't spell (and don't care to?) anymore. I hate the idea of texting. I don't have it on my phone, don't want it on my phone. It only encourages bad spelling. Now, pronounciation...wow... don't know how many times the pronounciation of something has totally stumped me. (I had a word in mind when I started this, but have already forgotten it, LOL) Oh, well, perhaps later.
-
Steph - ...... taught English to 7th and 8th graders for many years.. Now I always regarded her as a saint. I have said that all my life, especially when i was teaching, in my young life, in the high school. I added "middle school/jr high school teachers should be paid much more than the rest of us." Young people at that stage can't decide if they are adults or children and go back and forth in behavior and are thoroughly annoying.
When i came to NJ i taught 9th graders for the first time - OHHHHH my! They were still knocking each others books on the floor, being nasty and smart-alecky to hide their own insecurities. I thanked goodness in the second half of the year when they had grown up a little - altho 10th grade boys were not much better............lol.
I am appalled at the incorrect spellings and grammar in books and nat'l mags............not only did the writer not know, but apparently the editor didn't know either.................jean
-
I just fell off my pedestal in Author, Author. I thought that ante meant after, instead of before. Made a right fool of myself. It seemed to be divine justice upon noting the spelling of "Aspergers". ;-) :P
-
I thought that ante meant after, instead of before.
Rosehanarose, you aren't alone. Until I took Latin, I thought the same thing.
-
Thanks for the book reviews, MARJ. Both book sound interesting. The
Steinbeck books sounds like one I've heard of before, but if I read it
it's too long ago. I don't remember.
Zeitoun has never come up in conversation; only here. I have no idea
as to the correct pronunciation. From what little I know of Spanish, I
would think Sotomayor would be accented on the last syllable. But how
would you pronounce a name like 'Bahzell'? 1st, 2nd? A version of Basil?
There's much less proofreading now, too, TOME, and JEAN. One of the economizing angles in printing and publishing these days. Correcting all the errors is time consuming and expensive, so they edit out the major
errors and skip the rest.
-
Hmm, I would have sworn I read all of Steinbeck, but that one does not sound familiar. Have to look it up.
I know that my granddaughter is a text person and it drives me nuts. Her spelling is truly awful.. But my grandson at 8 loves spelling and gets 100 on all of his tests.. He just loves to spell. For many years, I could look at something and know if it was correct. But I seem to be losing that as I age.. Darn.
-
That Steinbeck book is one of his earliest efforts. - it's short but I believe it took him ages to write.
At school spelling was one of my favourites - I loved learning new vocabulary. Seems I've always been able to spell and still can but you might have noticed that my spelling is not American English but English English with an Aussie twist. vive la difference
-
Announcement today that 7th thru 12th graders will be able to use spell-checker when taking the state tests. I had not made the connection with texting but that's obviously the impetus. BTW, this spell-checker does not recognize the gerund form of "text" and insists that it's misspelled.
-
And even in closed captions, there are numerous misspellings in movie captions, as well as on newscasts. Just warts the heck out of me.
Don't blame the captions, they're in the process of being trained. Like a small child, they can only respond to what they know. A classic caption story is the one about Alan Greenspan. He was recovering from an enlarged prostate. However, the captions claimed he was recovering from an enlarged prostitute. His wife, Andrea Mitchell, said he should be so lucky.
-
That, Pedlin, is priceless!!!
-
Thanks, Pedlin. I needed a laugh.
-
I always did like Andrea Mitchell!............jean
-
Let's continue doubling our consonants Gum! I am with you 100 percent on Oz / Brit spelling.
That is just gorgeous, Pedln.
Reminds me of an ad I saw in my local paper. Please join us for the opening of our new brassiere. Meant brasserie I think, I hope!
-
Ah Pedlin, I loved the story. Before I got my hearing aids, I used the closed captions a lot.. Whew.. On live broadcasts it was amazing the way they worked.. Not even close most of the time, but on tv shows, etc, they had the script and it really helped a lot.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I am currently reading "Lucy" by Laurence Gonzalez. It is an interesting tale, but seems to me derivative of some other past fiction; i.e. "Green Mansions" and more currently "Nell" (which I'm not sure was a book, but a movie anyway). While I am semi-enjoying the book, there is something about the writing that is "not quite right". I'm not a literary critic so I can't voice exactly what seems wrong. The lead character's "voice"? The pace the book moves? Other than the fact that the premise seems to me to be highly unlikely, but in today's culture, maybe not. If anyone here has read it, please clue me in on what I'm feeling about this book.
-
Thought I would go to Amazon and see what kind of review they might have of this book. They had a Q & A with the author. However, it kind of sheds some light on what I was feeling about this book (in part) a blurb from Publisher's Weekly states:" but his underdeveloped characters are little more than one-dimensional mouthpieces for the viewpoints they espouse." Think that's part of my feelings.
-
I picked up a book like that once, TOMEREADER. Don't remember the title (why would I?), but
all the characters just seemed to be there for the purpose of making speeches expressing the
authors views. Tedious, to say the least.
-
The Man Who Loved Jane Austen (Sally Smith O'Rourke) takes some liberties with JA's life but the result is quite charming.
-
My bedbook just now is TheQueens Fool by Philippa Gregory.. Interesting and a different slant on Queen Mary,daughter of Henry the viii.... Dont begin to understand how a young woman of this period was allowed to keep wearing male clothing at the court, even though she was clearly understood to be a female.
-
That's a new one to me, STEPH. I assume this is the younger Mary.
She seemed so rigid in her RC beliefs as Queen, and I don't think they
approved of women dressing as men!
-
Elizabeth I dressed in men's uniforms when addressing and reviewing her troops. That book sounds like one for myDBR list.
Just finished " Bull's Island" by.........somebody......Frank...senior moment and i' on the iPad and haven't figured jout yet how to go to another site w/ out losing this one........I know one of you will fill me in.........
::)......Jean
-
Dorethea Benton Frank.....i knew it would come back.....Jean
-
jean - DBR? (don't bother to read???) ::)
-
I am just finishing DBF The Land of Mango Sunset's and I loved it. Its about Sullivian's Island.
H ave a lot of time to lay around since I broke my ankle a couple of week's ago.
-
JUDY: another broken ankle!! Join the club. I hope the healing process goes well.
-
I'm sorry to hear about your ankle, Judy. I hope you get a lot of good reading in.
-
Judy Laird - Hi haven't seen you in quite a while. Hope that ankle is not too painful. What bad luck -still now you can read all day long if you wish. :D
-
Oh Judy.. do be careful.. Ankles are such treacherous little items.
The book isnt bad.. Queens Fool.. Just a few oddities..
-
I'm still listening to Book of Sighs on my iPod. Since I transferred that one, I've also downloaded Three Cups of Tea, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. I'm going to Arkansas Tuesday to visit with my daughter. It feels great not to have to lug books around - only a small iPod.
-
I have several books downloaded into the IPAD, but also games. I had been going away for a week, but now that is off..
-
Apple's new Itouch has some interesting features: http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/features/
-
Steph - what games do you have on your iPad?
-
Solitaire...The little yellow man thing..a maze... bubbles///some sort of little dots you line up and eliminate....pinball.....labyrinthe....and a iq game that defeats me every time..All fun or either free or .99.
Did I mention that all of these years later I am reading Outlander.. Diane Gabaldon.. Odd..interesting.. a bit on the violent side, but still compelling.
-
And addictive......;D
-
Another neat game for the iPad is Jumbline 2, a word game. Addictive! I have the free version.
-
Will look it up today on the free apps stuff.
Does anyone keep up with the Diane Gabaldon series. HOw many are there. I listened to Dragonfly in Amber, which seems to be the second book in the series and am reading the first one now..
-
Steph, there are seven and they are all looooooong! I've read four of them but after a while I found I really didn't care what happened to those people anymore. So I quit. ;)
-
I have read all of the Diana Gabaldon "Outlander" series. However, I skimmed through quite a bit after the third one. The crises that Jamie and Claire go through became repetitive! I think it's time for her to wind up this story.
BTW, I bought my copy of the first book in the gift shop at Culloden Battlefield in Scotland. The title is "Crossstitch"; apparently, "Outlander" is the USA title.
-
Those of you who like word games may like ultimate word search. I found it in ipads apps, but I'm sure you could find it online. I find it great fun.......jean
-
Oh, yeah, there are a whole bunch of ultimate word search sites in goggle.....jean
-
Seven... Good heavens,.All of Jamie and Claire. I am still staggering through the first one.. I will say the recorded version was easier to deal with.. May look for the third one in that sort of way.Too much torture in this one to make me happy.. Shame since the plot is interesting, but she does like torture a bit too much.
-
I've just started "The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet". It started off well, so I think I'm going to like it. I'm in Arkansas and I'm listening to it during the week when the girls are in school and my daughter is working.
I tried the first book in the Outlander series and couldn't finish it. Never tried the others.
Nancy
-
Almost done with The Queens Fool as my bed book. Did not like it as much as the other Philippa Gregory that I read..
I think that Diane Gabaldon is a good writer who needs a strong editor. Too much plot,, too much violence.
-
You may be right, STEPH, but Gabaldon is so popular it's not likely an editor is going to tamper
with success. I read three or four of those books, as best I remember, before I decided that
Jamie and Claire's life was too over-extended.
-
I am reading Loving Frank,
I am sure most of you read it earlier but a friend gave it to me so I thought I would try it.
Too my surprise I am enjoying it. Its not my usual cup of tea but this being written from the misstress point of view is interesting.
She also gave me The Island by Victoria Hislop and I hope that is good as well.
Crazy weather here I think I am in Florida, the sun shines and its beautiful then it rains like crazy and its soo muggy, don't like it much.
-
Judy, read Loving Frank a few years back. It made me furious. I ended up throwing the book across the room. I just kept thinking of it from the wives point of view.. Also the fact that two marriages and a lot of children got injured by their selfishness.
-
I lost all my respect for FLW and questioned his place as an American icon. Bow, on reflection, I try to separate the man from his work which still astounds me. I've never been caught up in sexual frenzy but pity those who do suffer from it, and I consider it suffering when there is no control. I can't imagine spending every waking moment in thrall to thoughts and fantasies about sex. Nowadays there are 12 step programs for those addicted to sex.
-
I try to separate the art created from the activities of the creator - sometimes it's harder than others. ::)
-
I try to do the same Mary Z but sometimes it is very hard to do....I really dislike Frank LLoyd...Joan Grimes
-
I love Frank Lloyds designs, but after visiting so many of them, I realize he was all about look and not about practical.. The hallways, stairs and bathrooms are all awful in his houses.. He didnt care if they leaked and insisted on his idea of furniture.. So genius,, well up to a point.
-
Have toured two of Frank Lloyd Wright's homes, and disliked both. The first was Falling Water, and I admit the scene was heavenly and it was great viewing the waterfall right from the home. The home would have driven me bananas. The second was not too far away, have forgotten the name, and was owned at the time by some British Peer who was not often there. Remember seeing a photo framed in silver of the peer with Princess Diana on a table in the living room; apparently he was a close friend of hers. Anyway, again I did not like the house, but if I HAD to live in one of the two, I would have chosen it over Falling Water despite the lack of a gorgeous location. I have no regard for the man whatsover.
-
MaryPage: You've pointed out things which are lacking in the descriptions of his work. I can feel less worshipful of his talent now. Typically he was designing for his own eye and not for the object of his designs, the client. He seemed remote, to me, lacking empathy.
-
Mary Page et al - we've toured a number of FLW homes - and love them as "art". Definitely not very liveable, though. The other house you mentioned is Kentuck Knob - about 5 miles from Falling Water. I agree, it's probably the most "liveable" of any of his houses that we've seen. There are two houses near here. The only one in TN is here in Chattanooga - we've been in it once - it's very small, but has been lived in constantly since it was built. There is one in Florence, AL (between Nashville and Birmingham). It's a very liveable house, and was even enlarged at one point - keeping to the original style. The building family lived in it until the 1990s when the surviving members gave it to a foundation to restore as a historic site, and for visitors.
This is the link for Kentuck Knob - http://www.kentuckknob.com/
This is the Rosenbaum House - http://www.wrightinalabama.com/
-
I visited the house in Florence, AL. couple of years ago.. The house fits into the setting very well. I found it beautiful both the setting and the house...I loced the color scheme of the house. But I do not have any thing but absolute ahorence for Frank LLoyd Wright..Joan G
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
His own home and workshop in Wisconsin has a beautiful setting and some wonderful rooms,, but not all and the whole thing has a leak problem pretty much all the time.. I want to see the building in
Milwaukee.. Johnsons wax?? It is supposed to be glorious.
-
FLW also made it into Iowa. Here's the "summer cottage" that's near where I live.
I've been there...lovely view...but his furniture and my idea of comfortable furniture are very far apart.
from the website for Cedar Rock:
The Walter House was one of Wright’s most complete designs. Nearly everything at Cedar Rock bears the architect’s imprint. Wright designed the furniture. selected the carpets. chose the draperies .and even picked out the accessories. Cedar Rock was begun in 1948 and completed in 1950. Its roof and floors are concrete; the walls are brick, glass. and walnut. Cedar Rock is one of ten buildings Wright designed in Iowa.
http://www.galenfrysinger.com/iowa_cedar_rock.htm
It takes a minute or so for the photos to load at this site.
jane
-
FLW actually made it all the way out west to Oklahoma.
(Copied from the Price Tower Arts Center web site)
Price Tower Arts Center - Bartlesville OK
The Price Tower is an innovative building that changed the horizon of the Oklahoma prairie and the world of architecture. The tower was constructed for the H.C. Price Company as its world headquarters.
The Price Tower is Frank Lloyd Wright’s only realized skyscraper. Wright took his inspiration for the cantilevered design from a tree. In fact, the Price Tower has been called the tree that escaped the crowded forest.
Inn at Price Tower
Immersion in the experience of architecture and design is central to the mission of Price Tower Arts Center. In keeping with that mission, the Arts Center has returned to Frank Lloyd Wright's concept of the multi-use skyscraper and created Inn at Price Tower and Copper Bar in addition to Price Tower Arts Center's museum, historic tours and retail store. Now, once again, visitors can stay in Wright's magnificent glass-wrapped sleeping lofts.
An intimate hotel with nineteen rooms, Inn at Price Tower occupies seven of the upper floors of the Wright skyscraper. Acclaimed New York-based architect Wendy Evans Joseph designed the meticulously detailed, graciously appointed rooms, entering an artistic dialogue with Wright's original cantilevered architecture.
Topping Inn at Price Tower on the 15th and 16th floors is its bar, Copper, offering stunning vistas over the mid-American landscape.
My bridge foursome stayed at the Price Tower Inn. There are three rooms on each floor off a central hallway. The hallway has so many angles that it's hard to get suitcases off the elevator and into the doors.
-
I found a photo of the Price Tower Arts Center: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_Tower
-
FLW never came to Tennessee or Alabama himself - architects from his studio did the on-site work.
-
Judy Laird, I've sent you an email. I'm so sorry to hear about your broken ankle.
-
Thank you, Jackie. I should have done that myself. :-[
-
It's been interesting to read your posts about FLW. I can appreciate his talent, but not the man himself. Strangely enough, when I read the book; I had more contempt (maybe that's too strong a word) for Mame. Why does it seem more disgraceful for a woman to leave her children than for a man to do so??? Somehow, it does. I don't see how anyone can find any happiness for themselves when they have caused so much pain and unhappiness for those they claim to love.
Sally
-
I have never seen Falling waters myself but saw extensive coverage of the house on a doco recently. I thought the house was so beautiful. As for the creators personal life not much impressed by him.
Carolyn
-
Was at Falling Waters in summer of 09,, our last long trip together. The house is so beautiful outside in its setting. The inside.. Hmm.. the furniture looks so very uncomfortable.. and they actually did change a lot of the stuff, he insisted on putting in it.. He was incredibly over budget and fought with them according to the docent.
So.. beautiful outside, but the only comfortable area was in the back of the house, where the son added a bedroom,bath and living area after FLW and his parents died.
-
We just missed you, Steph - we were at FallingWater and Kentuck Knob in September 2009.
-
I saw a documentary about the Rosenbaum House. It is now beautifully restored, but at one point had gone to wrack and ruin, (interior). It is lovely now, but not having been a pioneer or settler, how does one live in such a tiny space, no matter how architecturally special?
-
Tomereader - I've wondered that about some of his houses. But I didn't find the Rosenbaum house particularly cramped - not that I would've been to happy with the furniture, but I loved the expanse of windows and connecting the interior with the outside.
-
Everytime I see Falling Waters, I wonder if they wouldn't have a problem with mold?......Jean
-
Off the subject: I just finished a delightful dog book by W Bruce Cameron. A Dog's Purpose. We are in the dog's mind as he relates his first sensing of light and shadow, as he competes with his litter mates for Mom's milk, warmth, and comforting tongue. We live his life as he sees and feels, until its peaceful ending. Then, it starts all over again. He can remeber that other life, feral mother, hunger, fear. This time he is different color, bigger, stronger, living with lots of other dogs until he is taken away by a new owner and his life goes on again. As we follow this dog through his various lives we see him question his purpose - why is he living over and over again and remember all his past lives, what is his purpose? I love dog books and this is one I'll read again.
-
I just love dogs! I never had a dog as a child in fact I was petrified of them until a dear lady took me in hand and taught me how wonderful it is to have a dog for a friend. I had been badly bitten by a dog when I was three years old and my fear of them was truly huge. From the day I began to trust the friendship of the little cocker spaniel I was in love with dogs.
I love dog books too. I have had dogs nearly all my adult life. We had big dogs. When my husband passed away I got a small dog for the first time. I had two bichon frise. Last year they passed on both elderly dogs. Now I have thirteen month old Chich. She will be my last puppy.
Carolyn
-
I love Runner. Jane is in rare form.. But I suspect that the girl will not stay put. She does not seem to grip real life at all.. Thomas Perry.. I have read every single book of his. One of those authors who draws me in in the first few pages and pulls me along..
I love dogs.. Have always had them.. Parents raised them for show and breed.. Just now at 72 I have two older corgi..I feel that puppies are not a good match for me.. I live in a town house and really believe the young dogs need a place to run and wrestle and play.
-
http://www.donnaball.net/
I recently came across these three books. (I love Goldens) They are mysteries/cozies. The writer lives and also runs a kennel/dog training/search and rescue place in the Blue Ridge mountains. As you can see the Kindle price is only $1.99. I enjoyed them. They were easy reading.
#1 Smoky Moubtain Tracks
#2 Rapid Fire
#3 Gun Shy
-
Virginia Lanier's Bloodhound series was thrilling. She wrote the first one at 65 and published one a year until her death at 72.
-
Jeriron, I admire Goldens. Those cozies sound interesting. I think I can download them to my iPad as I have the Kindle app. I'll look into that.
-
I have 2 little Shit-Zu's emma and eddie. They are wonderful and emma is my shadow. They really don't belong in a place like this, but they are here and thats that. I am so popular around here and always speak my mind where no one else does so I end up like a ----in church. But again Ii don't care. I notice the phone never stops ringing for rides here and there.
I seriously think they like that some one will speak up and they don't have the nerve to do it.
-
FlaJean
You shouldn't have any problem downloading them to your IPad. I enjoyed them.
-
I found Rapid Fire in some book sale or another, but have not read it yet. Read all of the Bloodhound series. Loves them and wish she had not died so soon.
J udy,, if anyone can keep dogs in a retirement place, it is you. That is why I have not even considered one. I have two corgi and I would not consider anyplace that does not alow them. Around here, they will let them visit, but no permanent ones unless you have a separate little villa..
-
I picked up my first Thomas Perry and it's now in my tbr stack.
I couldn't find anything by McQuestion.(?)
Uh, JUDY, I think that is Shih-Tzu. ;)
-
Babi - :P.....it sounds like sh..t.......lol.....I come in for discussion and book ideas, but ALSO for your good humor........Jean
-
McQuestion??
I have started two books. One is a true story of a woman who lived in a Shaker community in New Hampshire for a while as a curator..Excellent. A good overview of later day life in the Shaker communities when there was just some older women left.. The other is Storyville by Lois Battle.. Fun read.
-
Steph there are about 10 dogs here and I have no idea how many cats.
They say they are pet friendly but actually they are not.
Before you decide to move into a senior facility tale to me first I can give you some REAALY good pointers.
-
Stephanie, what is the name of the book about the Shakers? It sounds interesting.
-
Marcie, the author is June Sprigg.. Ask Amazon and you will come up with a long list of Shaker books, she has written. She is an expert on Shaker customs, furniture, etc. But this book is about a summer right out of college where she lived in the community with the old women of Canterbury. I envy her the summer. She learned so much about their lives.. Now as to the title.. I am upstairs early in the morning and the book is downstairs. Will check the title later today..
Judy.. Since Tim died, I am torn as to where I want to live. I love my townhouse, but it is three stories and realistically at 72, the steps could become a problem. My sons want me to live closer to them ( southwest Florida), but I honestly dont know where I want to be. It just seems that maybe a community with villas and independent living might be a good match for me. I would love to be in one of those college communities..
-
Gainesville, Florida is a nice little university town, STEPH. Of course, it's central Florida and not
on the Gulf. The water on that side of the Gulf is a gorgeous blue, not like the gray of our coast. You're right about the difficulties of a lot of stairs growing older. I have enough trouble getting up the half-dozen steps onto my front porch. :P
JEAN: 8) ;D
-
Hey, Alf, give that bright little girl "Gone With the Wind" and let her run with it!
she might also like "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" about the little misfit genius boy who lost his Dad on 9/11.
-
Thanks, Steph, for the name of the Shaker author. I'll look her up. That's a big decision about where to live. I know you'll take your time with it.
-
Iam truly enjoying the Sprigg book. I ration myself each day since it is so peaceful and calming.
I plan on eventually going up to Gainesville to look at the facilities that are coordinating with the university. I have heard a variety of opinions.. pro and con..
-
the facilities that are coordinating with the university
That sounds intriguing, STEPH. I hope you'll tell us more about that.
-
Sounds interesting, Steph. We'll be waiting to hear your review.
-
Came across the book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
Am about 2/3 finished and am enjoying it. Takes place in places I know about
and that is always fun.
-
Judy,, and the author is???? Is it a mystery or general novel..
-
Steph the author is Jamie Ford. It takes place in Chinatown and that area of Seattle. It is a story I am not sure iif its true or not but seems to me at least part of it. Its about the Japenese that were taken to war camps as the war was beginning. The boy is Chinese and the girl is Japanese. Many things about the way the old Japenese lived what they believed.
-
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
I read that book awhile ago and throughly enjoyed it.
-
I didn't explain it very well but it is good. I thought they sent the Japenese straigh to a camp but this book says they were sent to the Puyallup fair grounds and were interned there while they built their permanent camps I believe which were in Idaho. I don't know if its true or not but I know some of it is.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Seems as if I heard that those Japanese in SoCal who were interned were housed at the Santa Anita Race Track until their camp was built.
-
Sounds interesting. I will try my swap club first. I am bogged down in the Sound and the Fury..Sigh.. It is just like it was when I was younger. Simply not my cup of tea.. Book club or not, I will probably skim it.
-
Judy, I'm halfway finished listening to Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and am loving it!
Nancy
-
I finished it last night and cried I didn,t want it to end. I hope there is a seaquel )can't spell
Just loved it.
-
I hav e put in a wish request in my swap club for it.. Sounds like something I would like. I finally just skimmed Sound and Fury.. Just cannot get into it..
-
I just finished a marvelous book, "Every Man Dies Alone" , translated from German about life in Berlin during the Third Reich and the war; how one middle-aged couple decides to fight back after the death of their son. It sheds some understanding on a question that has always bothered us: how could the German people go along with this Hitler government? It was fear, terrible - and warranted - fear, along with lies, that was the principle weapon against the people. It is deep on introspectve thoughts of the leading characters, but also a gripping page turner as the Gestapo narrows in on the couple. the author lived these years, but was never an overt resister. Very very good fictionaliztion of a real couple who die resist . Hans Fallada died before it was published.
-
I am now reading a book that is so interesting that I do not want to put it down. Title: "Fall of Giants", by Ken Follet. He wrote "Pillars of the Earth", too. FoG is the first in an intended triolgy. It begins in 1911, goes into all of the important events in the 20th century. I am finding it fascinating. First book I have read in a long time, that I can't bear to leave.
Sheila
-
Ilove Follet, but oh me, he is writing long long books nowadays.
-
Is it my imagination, or do writers tend to do that as they grow older? It's as though they want
to share with us all they've learned and all the 'wisdom' they've gained over the years. Their
books begin to include extensive 'lectures' on some favored topic. LaMour did it; Weber does it; maybe Follett is, too.
-
Babi: You are more charitable than I. Thought it was simply padding to justify a bigger advance.
-
Do any of you read Daniel Silva? He was recommended to my husband, who enjoys Joseph Finder, early Ludlum, Vince Flynn.
jane
-
Amazon is selling Follett's new book for more on Kindle than hardcover. But not to me - at least not yet.
-
Jane: Just finished Silva's latest, The Rembrandt Affair. I've been reading him for years, love his books. Gabriel Allon is a world famous art restorer and a trusted Mossad agent. From the first book there have been many coups and contre-temps, some very costly ones. Gabriel earns our empathy and trust by his strict adherence to his own code as he jets around the world reluctantly fighting for justice. Pretty banal, right? It is difficult to explain how riveting Gabriel's stories are. The books tell one long story with the several instances in his life when he must give up his paint brush and go out into the world. I can hardly wait for the next one.
-
Jane asked, "Do any of you read Daniel Silva? He was recommended to my husband, who enjoys Joseph Finder, early Ludlum, Vince Flynn."
The only book by Silva I tried was his The Messenger (2006), but I did not finish it. Too many difficut Arab names that were hard to keep track of, and it had something to do with a plot against the Vatican, similar to Dan Brown's Angels & Demons, but Brown's was much more interesting, IMO. Have often thought I should try another one of his since so many people like his books, but haven't gotten around to it. I do really like Joseph Finder's novels.
Marj
-
I keep promising myself i will try a Silva, but have not done it yet.. Sigh.. Too many books, etc.
-
Thanks! We're off to the "city" today and the Half Price Bookstore is always a stop. I love that place! Ray will see what they have in Silva works. It sounds as if perhaps his later ones are better than the early ones. We'll see what they have. Our local Library has 6 or so, we'll see what Half Price may have that the Lib. doesn't.
jane
-
I keep promising myself i will try a Silva, but have not done it yet.. Sigh.. Too many books, etc.
Me too, Steph.
-
I priced "Fall of Giants", at Amazon. They list the hardcover at $37.00, and the Kindle price is $19.00. So, I dhose the Kindle version.
If I remember correctly, "Pillars of the Earth", was around a thousand pages. I am liking FofG as well as I liked PofE. I can remember wondering if I would ever finish it.
Sheila
-
I loved the early Follet.. Eye of the Needle. Then he totally changed direction..
-
You may be right, JACKIE, but it did seem to me I got the distinct flavor of
old-timers preaching on their favorite subjects.
SHEILA, is "Fall of Giants" non-fiction or fictionalized history? It's hard to
tell just from the description.
-
If any of you might be interested Mary Ann recommended Lucy Maud Montgomery especially Rilla of Ingleside, I checked her out and the books look really good and on Kindle they are free.I am excited to see if I like them I think I got 3 free.
-
Over 1,000 pages of fiction, Fall of Giants has historical accuracy and a detailed portrait of a past world. The story follows five families across the globe as their fates intertwine. Fall of Giants is the first in a planned trilogy set entirely in the 20th century.
-
It s the 1000 pages that get me. That is a committment..Hmm.
-
Yeah. At the age of 18, a thousand pages would not have daunted me. At the age of 75, I
think of how many other books I could read in the same amount of time. :-\
-
I would be reluctant to commit to reading a 1000 page book in one month. Short attention span.
-
Oh me. Especially in December with all else happening..
-
Wow! I just checked out "Fall of Giants" on Amazon. Over 230 people only gave it one star - out of five. Many said the price was just too high; that the book was too big. Several mentioned that his knowledge of the 20th century was not as good as that of Medieval England. Readers couldn't believe he was the same author who had give us Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. And that the story was all about war, war, war, with gratuitous sex thrown in every 20-25 pages or so.
Eight-four people enjoyed it enough to give it five stars. Comments: story was intriguing and complex; large cast of characters; fast action, fantastic storytelling.
Guess I'll wait a while before I decide to read it or not.
Nancy
-
I must confess to a great deal of skepticism about authors of historical fiction possessing great knowledge of the _____ th century (fill in the blanks) when they so often show so little scholarship re the 20th. It is much, much easier to romp around in and make up stuff about a time deep in our past, because actually none of said author's readers will likely know the difference. I thought Herman Wouk did a great job with the 20th, and even HE made mistakes!
One thing that drives me up the wall, and probably you, as well, though in all fairness, we cannot blame the younger generation of writers to whom it has not occurred as yet how fast our everyday language and manner of speaking changes, is to read a book set in, say, the forties (my high school years and the time of the music dearest to me), and find phrases coming out of the mouths of the characters in the story that had not even been invented or come into fashion or common usage as yet. I yell to myself: "We didn't SAY that back then! We did not speak that way! We would NEVER have spoken to or of our parents that way," etc.
-
MaryPage - been there, done that................which no one wld have said in the 40/50s.......... ;D.......Jean
-
Yes, the 50's was my teen time and I know I laugh sometimes at how they depicted us.. I would guess that many authors simply make up history as well as characters.
-
You think that's bad, MARYPAGE, think of all the movies set in medieval times where
the characters are using modern slang and phrases. It tends to spoil the whole
atmosphere, while I groan and call out "Ah, come on! Give me a break!"
-
I'm so happy to know that I am not the only one that nit picks through out these movies and novels. I can overlook an occasional anachronism but when they come by me in great numbers I find that is all I am looking for and I forget the story. Too distracting.
-
Unless it't a Carl Reiner comedy. Then anything goes!.......Jean
-
But Reiner is doing it on purpose. These other guys simply do not see what they do silly or wrong. Its like some historical novels. The author simply doesnt research.. They are too busy telling you a romance or a war.. Hmm. I do sound grouchy..
-
STEPH: I agree with you!!! I've had this argument several times in Seniorlearn. Many of us get our knowledge of History from fiction, not history books, and I feel the author has some responsebility to be accurate. If he/she doesn't care enough about the period to do some research on it, then don't write about it.
Of course in a 300 page book some errors might creep in, but reasonable care, please.
-
I do laugh though.. When Phantom of the Opera first came out.. the naysayers were upset.. Seems that " Point of No Return" would not have been a saying in that period. Since I love the songs, I simply never cared. I also never thought of it as history of any type. Just a lovely musical
-
I just finished Iris Johansen Reap The Wind. I am sure I read it years ago but thanks to a faulty memory its was very good once again. A faast moving book full of lovely and wonderful character that you can't help but remember.
-
Sometimes the old books are the best to reread. My bed book just now is one of the Bloodhound series. I just felt like a dog book and think these are outstanding.
-
I have just finished a lovely book called The Children Who Lived In A Barn by Eleanor Graham. It has been reprinted by Persephone Books, a publisher specialising in "rediscovering" writers, mostly female, from the 20th century (they have a website).
Eleanor Graham's book was probably originally written for children, but I think adults of my generation would enjoy it more than my own progeny. It's set in the 1930s, and is about 5 children whose parents rush off to look after a sick Granny leaving them to fend for themselves. This in itself seems quite amazing to us now, but the plot thickens when the parents don't come back. The children, led by the indomitable oldest sister, manage to survive, and even to go to school, whilst living in a barn lent to them by a local farmer. The story is very much of its time, with wonderful period detail - I suppose in some ways it's a bit "Famous Five-ish" but much more realistic, as the children struggle with day to day living whilst resisting the unwonted attentions of the local busybodies.
Persephone have republished some really good books - "Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day" (which was unfortunately made into a less than inspiring film), and "No Eggs and Few Oranges", a journal of life in London during the war, being another two that I liked. My absolute favourite is probably "The Fortnight In September" by RC Sherriff - it's about an ordinary 1930's family's annual trip to Bognor Regis, but it's written in such a beautiful, simple style, and the characters are so sympathtically drawn, that I was really sorry to finish it - although I must admit that my enthusiasm may stem partly from the fact that I spent many childhood holidays at Bognor.
I have been reading quite a few old children's books lately, and have also very much enjoyed re-reading The Otterbury Incident, and Noel Streatfeild's Ballet Shoes. Streatfeild's book about her own early years "A Vicarage Childhood" is also a great read - she was brought up in a 1920s vicarage, banned from doing just about anything on Sundays and not allowed to go to parties in Lent - but the book isn't miserable, and it's a good record of what life was like for a middle-class child of that time.
Apologies if any of these books have been mentioned before,
Rosemary
-
rosemarykaye, "Ballet Shoes" was an important book for me when I was a child, along with some of the other "shoes" books.
I'm sorry to hear that "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" isn't a good job. I have it on my rental queue with Netflix (American DVD rental service) mostly because I am a fan of Ciaran Hinds. I thought he did an amazing job in "The Mayor of Casterbridge" of making sense of that harsh, tortured, half-likeable character.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
-
rosemarykaye, I love children's books too. When I was buying books the other day, someone said that I must have a lot of grandchildren. I had to confess that the books were mostly for me!! :-)
PatH, Ciaran Hinds also was very good in one of the film versions of Jane Austen's Persuasion. It took me a few minutes to get used to him in the role but then he had me hooked.
-
Indeed, Marcie, Hinds was excellent as Wentworth. I own the DVD; I think the whole thing is a surprisingly successful example of translating a book that takes place inside people's heads to a visual medium.
Hinds is also good as Rochester in "Jane Eyre". He plays it for the harsh, selfish side, which mostly gets damped down.
-
PatH -You're talking about one of my favourite actors agaaaain! Cairan Hinds does the job no matter what he undertakes. Captain Wentworth was superb - as were Rochester and Henchard. He also played in the Veronica Guerin story of a reporter who uncovers a drug syndicate and gets the big guys - Hinds was a baddie in that one. Miss Pettigrew was shown on TV here recently - it seemed a mild film but I was talking on the phone to my son during most of it - I thought I'd get it on my queue so I could really watch Hinds properly. Haven't read that book so might look for it at the library as well.
Meant to say, Hello Rosemarykaye - I'm sure you will love this site.
-
I remember years ago that books about children left alone and surviving was a popular topic.. Mostly because we treasure independence, I suspect and the times were different. Now that would be an impossible topic for a book.
-
Ahhhhhh I have been ill for about 2 years Not serious but just aging slows one down augh The weather the past two years contibuted I think a COLD SNOWY WINTER a HOT DESERT LIKE SUMMER now that we have enough rain and I feel my flowers will recover I feel much better..Since I felt so listless I did a lot of reading ---3 books every 14 days but to be honest I dont recall the names...which means they were ok I know several I returned to the library partially read....I just read Nicholas Sparks SAFE HAVEN it was okay but some of his others I enjoyed best. I read two of Jodi Picoult and enjoyed them but would have to read them again to tell you about them I read THE HELP and found it interesting -----I looked through my bookcase and there are other authors I have read this year but none I can report on ...I dont recall them as well as Winds of War ,,books that I read years ago and know I liked them In fact unless they are real History books I can re-read a book 3 or 4 times and each time I find more I enjoy......in fact some books I read over the years I would like to read again to see if I enjoy them as much as I did..Will be checking back and getting some ideas and then I can give my opinion of what is being read.....With winter coming ( I guess who knows what weather is going to be next> It is very fickle) I usually spend a lot of time reading .....hello to all I have known in the past...anna
-
I'm thinking I might go back and read some of the old books, too. It's been so long ago, it
will be almost like reading them for the first time. And I've got shelves of them just sitting there.
-
Noel Streatfeild's books were mentioned in You've Got Mail. I had never heard of her before then. According to Wikipedia, she wrote some adult books too.
-
PatH, go ahead and get the Miss Pettigrew DVD. It may not be as good as the book, but it is very funny and light entertainment.
-
So wonderful to see you again, Fairanna, but sorry to read that you have not been feeling well for so long. I have hope that things will be better for you from now on.
I'm always so slow to catch up with you all....I'm just now reading Zeitoun and I know all of you have already read it and had a discussion about it, I suppose. I rather avoided it because, frankly, I'm often disappointed in the latest "must read" book. But, I'll admit this one is interesting me a lot. It gives a different viewpoint of the disastrous hurricane that struck New Orleans than what we saw over and over on TV. I know I sound hard hearted but after awhile viewing those same heart wrenching pictures day after day and hearing the terrible stories one after another I tend to start to tune them out from overload. A few years after the fact and this well written story are giving me a good read.
-
I'm reading Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. It's my book club's choice for November. I'm having a very hard time with it.
Lately I've been listening to books on my mp3 player and am convinced that I enjoy listening to books being read much more than reading them myself. Haven't figured out why yet. I now have five books on my mp3 player: Bridge of Sighs, Three Cups of Tea, On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Roses and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
I'm leaving for a nine-day cruise tomorrow and hope to get several of them finished before I get home.
-
I was probably a bit too negative about the Miss Pettigrew film - I went with my 15 year old daughter and she (not having read the book) loved it. She was, however, disappointed by the Twilight film (though not by the lead actor :) ) as it missed out bits of the book, which she had devoured (maybe that's not the best verb to choose when talking about vampires...) - I'm sure that's often the problem with film adaptations, especially when the book is one that you hold dear. My mother (having read the novels) never approved of the BBC adaptation of the Forsythe Saga, which is now something of a BBC legend, so there's no pleasing us!
Rosemary
-
I loved the Forsyte Saga - both the TV series and the books. Still have them on my shelves. Would be interesting to reread them now. And you're right Rosemary - it is a BBC legend - almost comparable with Brideshead Revisited.
-
The original Forsythe Saga on BBC.. My husband fell in love with Irene.. I just loved the whole series. Went out, bought the books and plowed through them.. Loved them.. Ah the memories.
-
Oh Brideshead Revisited! I only read the book and saw the programmes very recently - I think I probably wasn't allowed to watch it at home, and I couldn't believe what I had missed. The acting, the scenery, absolutely everything about it was wonderful. When Sebastian takes Charles to Venice and they fling open the shutters to see the Grand Canal in all its glory it took me back to my own first trip to Venice a couple of years ago - the sheer beauty of it all was overwhelming.
Another TV drama that I have recently watched is A Dance To The Music of Time - again I was vaguely aware of it at the time but never saw it, and what pleasure it was to lie in bed and watch an episode each night. Simon Russell Beale is such a brilliant actor. I read all of the novels at the same time and enjoyed them very much.
I saw that discussion has already taken place here about The Jewel In The Crown - another fantastic adaptation that I did in fact see the first time, but have recently bought on DVD. I didn't remember most of it so it was like watching it for the first time anyway - all I could really remember was how much I adored Art Malik and Charles Dance, and that certainly hadn't changed!
One that I would still like to see is The Balkan Trilogy - Kenneth Branagh and EmmaThomspn - has anyone seen that? I haven't read the books either.
Rosemary
-
Rosemary - you've opened a tin of worms in my mind....
The Raj Quartet is superbly written. Paul Scott's prose is seamlessly perfect. We discussed the Jewel in the Crown and then a few of us continued on to read the other novels of the Quartet as well. We took our time and just commented back and forth a little as we went. Taken overall it is a complex piece of writing. Traude, our leader for that, was simply wonderful presenting an overview and summarising parts as we read. Oddly enough, only today I ordered Paul Scott's Staying On and Six Days in Marapore both of which I've wanted to read since we read the Raj.
I haven't heard anyone mention The Balkan Trilogy for years - I have the books somewhere about the place- neglected and probably very dusty.
-
I read the time travelers wife and just watched the movie from Netflix...I wondered how they would tell it and I think they did the best they could.It was odd though I kept feeling I HAD seen the movie before but decided I became so involved with the story I imagined I had already seen the movie....It was well done but like books that are made into a movie and you have read them you either feel they did a great job or feel a bit sad because it wasnt what you remembered A month ago I took advantage of a sale at B&N and read one of the books last evening 340 pages in a larger sized book...one reason I knew I was enjoying it -----I READ THE WHOLE BOOK WITHOUT PEEKING TO THE END>>THREE WEEKS TO SAY GOODBYE BY C.J.BOX according to the cover his book BLUE HEAVEN was a New York Times was on the best seller list...
The characters seemed real and some were "characters funny ones too" it had a little bit of everything ...if you are at the library you might want to check it out.
Looking forward to checking what you are reading and going to the library which is near 2mi max and reading what you are enjoying and sharing what I am reading...dreary rainy fall day here .best to all anna
-
Anna, that's so true - I am terrible for reading the end of the book half way through - my husband thinks I am very strange, but it doesn't really spoil my enjoyment of the book - even of detective stories - as I am usually more interested in the characters and the location than the actual denoument. I am just now reading an Ian Rankin Rebus book - they are set in Edinburgh, but it's a very different Edinburgh from Alexander McCall Smith's (if you have ever read the 44 Scotland Street books, which are great favourites of mine, and are all set in the New Town). I have already read the end but I am still enjoying the middle!
Our weather is is horrible - it's turned very cold and windy, and having come back from my swimming and supermarket shopping I am looking forward to a cosy evening in (actually that's like most of my evenings, the only difference in the summer is that I am quite often gardening, but I like being at home).
Take care,
Rosemary
-
Gumtree, I would have loved to have taken part in that discussion. Although it is now some months since I watched the Jewel DVDs, I still think of them often - favourite scenes, and sometimes really shocking scenes, like the arrival of the train ar Ranpur (I think) after the massacre of the Muslims. I would like one day to go to India and see some of these places. Staying On was also dramatised on the BBC years ago and I do remember it vaguely.
Do you think the Balkan Trilogy would stand the test of time? I really must give it a try.
Rosemary
-
I've been a fan of "A Dance to the Music of Time" since it was half-written. (My husband and I started when about 5 volumes were out, and eagerly awaited each new book.) Since then I've reread all 12 volumes several times, but the BBC drama wasn't released in this country, and I only recently saw it (Netflix). Given what you had to do to shrink 12 books down to that size, it was an excellent job, and superbly cast.
-
Steph - regarding children's books, it is such a shame that these themes can no longer be used. As a child I loved Enid Blyton - I know she is disapproved of now, but, having nothing whatsoever in common with the characters (they being rich, going to boarding school, and always having handy relations in the country - me being not at all rich, going to local church primary school, and hardly ever leaving suburban London), I gobbled up the books, together with those of Malcolm Saville - I loved the idea of children managing by themselves.
My younger daughter is now very keen on the Robert Muchamore CHERUB books - I haven't read them but I understand they are all about children who are spies. I don't know how he gets round the not being able to blow your nose without an adult present culture that we now have in this country - perhaps I should read one and find out.
So many modern children's novels seem to focus on day to day "issues" - parents divorcing, etc - all of which I am sure do need to be covered, but I think children still enjoy a bit of escapism just as much as we do. It must be quite a challenge being a children's writer today, and it's maybe why some children's novels are set in the past - my daughter has also been reading Julia Golding, whose stories take place in 17th century (I think) London, so she is able to have abandoned children fending for themselves with no sign of the social services on the doorstep.
Rosemary
-
OH NO!!!! Another author and more books to add to my TBR list. ;D
Welcome, Rosemarykaye. I've added Ian Rankin's Rebus series to my list. I have fond memories of Edinburgh even though I wasn't there but two or three days. It was like I was home, like I belonged there. Strange feeling for a place I'd never seen before.
-
Hello Frybabe,
Sorry, I know how long my own TBR pile is....
Rankin's Rebus books are very good. Alexander McCall Smith's are completely different but also very good - they are about various characters living in the mythical 44 Scotland Street (Scotland Street is a real street in the New Town), the people they are involved with, etc. It's all very gentle and I love it - when I am walking around the New Town I am always saying Oh look! There is Dundas Street/Glass & Thompson/The Scottish Gallery - or whatever. Valvona & Crolla, a much celebrated Edinburgh delicatessen, features - in fact its sun-dried tomatoes are integral to one of the plots.
Of course, Trainspotting was also set in Edinburgh - yet another side of a fascinating city. And there are also the wonderful Maisie McKenzie children's books, about a kitten who goes to live with her Granny in a close (building of tenement flats) in Morningside. I used to read these books to my children and enjoyed trying to do the accents, especially that of the bossy neighbour, Mrs MacKitty, who is forever cleaning the stair or getting cross because someone else hasn't done so (it was traditionally taken in turns by all the residents) - my children, however, soon put a stop to that, I think they thought I was embarrassing, even at their tender pre-school ages :)
Rosemary
-
Spent a week in Edinburgh about five years ago and loved it.. Even though it was April and cold as cold could be. Lots of wind.. Princess Anne was there in Holyrood House..for some event, but they still let us tour. The guide was very nice and showed us where the Queen sits during formal events, and explained the flags for the differeent royal family members, then we went off to the other end of the bus line and did the old Castle. Up the hill, wind and all. Loved it, but loved the whiskey distillery as you came out of the castle and walked down the hill. Dont like scotch, but loved the restaurant..
They also have a shop that sells every thing chocolate.. including making all sorts of Hot Cocoa.. Yum..
-
Funny you should mention the Forsythe Saga. I was so excited when the second series was made, and in color yet! I watched it on Masterpiece Theatre and then bought the DVDs. Then, be still my heart, the first series came out on DVD. Had watched it on DVD back in, oh, 1969-1970, I think. Could not wait to purchase it!
The acting was superb in both, but I prefer the first, black and white or no. When I read the books, eons ago, I read library editions. So I bought the trade paperback editions of all of them, I think in 9 volumes, and reread them, and passed them on to a friend who had never even heard about them. Hey!, said I in a loud voice: Galsworthy won the cotton picking Nobel Prize for Literature for the first set!
-
Steph -Edinburgh is nearly always freezing! I think it must be those cold winds blowing up from the Forth. But at least it is also frequently sunny, whereas Aberdeen sometimes seems to be clothed in a permanent veil of damp cloud. And Edinburgh has wonderful coffee and tea shops - if you ever come again, let me know and I'll take you to some.
Mary - I felt just the same when they finally put The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie onto UK DVD earlier this year - I have an ancient, ex-library stock, video that my family is forbidden to touch in case it gets broken, so now the DVD is on my birthday list and I will feel secure once more! Similarly I managed to track down a DVD of A Dance to the Music of Time on e-bay for £10 and was over the moon with joy to get it (at the time it was very rare) - although it too has been reprinted this year.
The BBC adaptation of the Forsythe Saga is, I think, lodged in the collective memory of our generation - I was quite young (yes really) when it came out, but Soames and Irene have remained clear in my mind from all those years ago.
Rosemary
-
Rosemary: So long since I watched Jean Brodie - I guess I'll play it this weekend... thanks for reminding me of that one.
Yes, Soames and Irene do stay in the mind. I think it's because of the tragic nature of their lives. Tragedy always touches us (me anyway) so much more than the happier and perhaps more fortunate characters.
Galsworthy's depiction of Soames was simply masterly- everything about him rings true. I thought Eric Porter was magnificent in the role of Soames.
If I keep thinking about the Forsyte much more I'll have to get hold of the DVD and watch it...
And yes, Galsworthy did win the Nobel Prize but that prize is not awarded for a single work or saga (as is the Man Booker for instance,) but rather for the whole body of work a writer produces.
-
Ah,, I do remember Fleur, who was the heart of her father... She was a perfect flapper in type..Funny the tv shows that cause so much of our generation to go back in memory. There was another PBS.. That was about Scott and the scandinavian who got to the pole first. I had it on tape.. Loved it, watched it so many times. It made winter into a deadly enemy..
-
I think the name was Journey to the end of the World???
-
My ddh and I were in Scotland about 5 years ago. I ate my first (and only) fat rascal. How could I resist something named "Fat Rascal"?? Yummy. I've often wondered how it got its name. We took a train from Edinburgh to Inverness. Wonderful train ride and interesting scenery. I am from Texas, and just had to send post cards of the "wooly cattle" to my Texas ranching friends. It was in April, and we nearly froze to death; but I have lots of warm memories of that trip.
Sally
-
OK, what's a "fat rascal"? We were in Scotland a couple of years ago, but never had that.
-
I'm curious, too. Haggis is what I remember...and the usual English breakfast fare of bangers, tomatoes, oatmeal (with a bottle of Scotch on the buffet by the oatmeal), various nuts, etc.
-
Dont remember a fat rascal, but somewhere in Indiana a couple of years ago, a donut shop had a large fat stick type donut and called it that.
The Black pudding did me in and at breakfast yet.
-
I found a description of a 'fat rascal' as a breakfast treat similar to a scone. The picture showed
a circular shaped pastry, with what looked like two large raisins placed to look like eyes in a face.
Ah, yes...here they are. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fat_Rascal_cookies.jpg
It's only fair to add that there are other things out there referred to as 'fat rascals', also.
-
Ah me, my memory played a small trick on me! I had a "fat rascal" in York, not in Scotland. It was part of the same trip. Maybe that's why I got the places mixed up. Thank goodness for my travel journals. I can always go back to them when I am uncertain. A "fat rascal" is very similar to a scone--just fatter and richer.
Sally
-
I'm getting hungry!
-
So it is a pastry or doughnut type treat.. I am glad it was not Edinburgh since I would have sworn we had tried all sorts of stuff there.. Also we were in Aberdeen later.. Beautiful hotel.. We were going to a wedding about 45 minutes away.. Took train from Edinburgh to Aberdeen.. Lovely trip.
-
Steph, we flew into Edinburgh, and took the train to Glasgow to start our Elderhostel in the Highlands. A terrific trip!
-
An elderhostel in the highlands.. I would love to see more of Scotland, maybe will look that one up.
I am considering another elderhostel in April.. Torn between one on
CSA in Deland , Florida ( sort of a boring little town) or driving to Savannah , since there is one on the history of the area.. Hmm..
-
It's a terrific program, Steph - we highly recommend it! It was called Highlands and Islands (I think).
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Steph...we did an Elderhostel in Savannah...on Johnny Mercer, Garden of Good and Evil and it was great. We really enjoyed exploring the area and up to Beaufort on a "field trip," etc.
jane
-
Steph, I've only been once to Savannah, but would go back in a heartnbeat. Maybe I will one day. Loved the on/off trolley, seeing everything and my favorite earrings are still the ones I got at the Savannah School of Design shop. It's a beautiful city. Next time I want to visit the cemetaries. And I understand that they have really made something of the waterfront, which had not been done when I was there. And then take a side trip to Beaufort.
-
Will look in my catalogue..
My ftof book club.. is reading The Hornets Nest by Jimmy Carter. It is his one fiction and is history.. Mostly southern on the Revolutionery war.. A bit dry just now, since he tends to show you every fly and tree.. Hopefully will pick up the pace.. Large book.
-
A friend suggested to me The Ladies of Covington" after I suggested to her the "Miss Julie" series. I started "ladies" last night. What a lovely story! I can identify with some aspect of each character. It's well written, moves along at a nice pace and I like the main characters. I think I had seen some of you mention it, but I hadn't gotten to it yet. I hope there are sequels.....Jean
-
I just checked and it looks like there are 8 or 10 more books about the Covington ladies and she has written other books.......thank goodness!.......ohhhhhhh more tbr's!!! That brings yeas and boos to my mind.....lol...jean
-
Jean, Thank you for mentioning "The Ladies of Covington". Aren't they fun? You'll enjoy following their adventures.
I think I've read the entire series - but I need to check and see if another one has come out since the last one I read.
-
I, too love the Covington series. It is great to find an author I enjoy, and find that she/he has written more than one, about the same characters. I finally tired after reading most of the series. My one objections to them was that each of the women ends up with a lover. I think that many of us who had husbands who died, have not had another Mr. Wonderful come into our life.
Sheila
-
I really enjoyed the Covington series. The first few books were the best. After that, much was repetition. However, I have read all of them and will probably read more if they are written. They are what I call Comfort Books. I enjoy reading about older women for a change!
Sally
-
I had read a couple of the Covington books several years ago. I like the older woman theme.. Comforting. Am enjoying the Hornets Nest more as he moved to Georgia.. Still wonder if the trials in North Carolina were that accurate. I simply dont remember ever reading about executions during the run up to the war. Was Tryon really that awful??
-
Sheila, I agree with you re: each of the Covington women ending up with A Man. However, it is "fiction"! :D
-
Anyone here read Kaye Gibbons, "A Virtuous Woman"? Just finished it for my f2f book group. A very different book. A short read. Kind of a soliloquy in two voices!
-
Haven't read A Virtuous Woman yet, but thanks for the recommendation. My neighbour just returned my copy of The Towers of Trebizond, one of my favourite books (though not hers, she said you had to concentrate too much), and I just wondered if it had already been discussed here, or if anyone else has read it?
Rosemary
-
Never heard of THe Towers...
Be advised that Virtuous Woman might be considered by some as "a downer". Not any moreso than a lot of today's fiction though.
-
The Towers of Trebizond is a wonderful novel about the narrator, her aunt and a High Anglican priest (who rejoices in the name of Father Chantry Pigg) going on a journey to set up a mission in Turkey. It starts with the immortal lines:
""Take my camel dear" said Aunt Dot, as she climbed down from that animal on her return from High Mass"
I think that may make it sound self-consciously twee, but it isn't - it's fascinating, funny, and has serious undertones. The reader is fed little snippets of information as the expedition progresses, and the ending when it comes is incredibly poignant. It was written in 1956 and apparently hasn't been out of print since then.
Definitely one of my desert island books - up there with The Wind In The Willows, Excellent Women, and I Capture The Castle (though nothing like any of them).
Rosemary
-
Is the author's name a secret? LOL or would you share that with me?
-
Sorry! It is Rose Macaulay.
-
I Capture the Castle by Dody Smith. How I love that book. It is a reread for me every once in a while. Doesnt teach you anything and is not heavy.. but oh it is fun.
-
Oh yes, Steph, it's wonderful isn't it? My copy says that it is a book handed down from mother to daughter - well, my mother failed there :) - but my elder daughter has already read it and loved it. The film was also quite good.
I have read Dodie Smith's biography - I think it might have been by Valerie Groves. It was very interesting; I think she was a rather odd person, she had a horrible upbringing (I think I remember that anyway!) and had to make her own way in the world, so she was quite tough. In her later years she lived with her devoted husband and numerous Dalmatians, the inspiration of course for her most famous work.
Rosemary
-
"Towers of Trebizond" sounds like a winner to me, ROSEMARY. I'm going to check and see if
my library has it.
-
Has anyone read The Whistling Season? The author is Ivan Doig.
It's a wonderful story with great characters about a widow who accepts a position of "housekeeper" in an old Montana dilapitated farm house.
The home is inhabitated by a widower and his three young sons.
I loved this novel, filled with Latin, knowledge, with "quips" and cliches, surrounded by mesmerising prose. It is one of those books that one can find something on each page to think about.
"Even when it stands vacant the past is never empty."
"How could a woman so tiny linger in every pore of a house?"
"Rubbing his cheek as if consulting the wrinkles, Father weighed that argument."
This is my kind of book. The plot seems a bit lame to me but it is truly character driven. I loved it and it has been a while since I have found a good book.
-
Oooh I like the sound of that - will look it up at the library, thanks for the recommendation.
Our library appears to have one Ladies of Covington book, so I am going to get that out tomorrow. My TBR pile needs adding to (not) ;D
-
Alf, any book by Ivan Doig is worth reading!
-
I like character driven, although a plot is also helpful..Still struggling with the Jimmy Carter,, Hornets Nest.. Amazing,, I honestly believe if he had his way, we would still be a
British colony.. The slant from Georgia is not really fun.. But it is my face to face book club for November, so I am struggling along..
-
maryz- This is the first time I have read anything by Doig, but I am now a believer and will probably consume everything I can find that he has written.
Steph- I don't blame you for "hanging in there." When it is a chosen book you almost feel obligated. I am interested in this autobio. about Mark Twain. Now that one interests me. I just may have to buy that one.
-
Alf, they're very autobiographical (at least the early ones) about his growing up in western Montana just east of Glacier NP. Wonderful for the history of the area and the geography.
-
Very interesting Maryz- hahah- I wonder if he, himself, has a mail order bride???? :o
-
Steph said, "..Still struggling with the Jimmy Carter,, Hornets Nest.. Amazing,, I honestly believe if he had his way, we would still be a British colony.. "
I read The Hornet's Nest by Jimmy Carter several years ago and liked it. Altho' I remember thinking I'd almost wished he'd written it as a nonfiction book, as he's not the world's greatest novelist. But It did give me some insight into the Revolutionary War in the South. When Carter hinted at sex in the book, I remember being a little embarrassed -- I guess just because he was the President and was so religious and serious, it was difficult to think of him that way. Now if it had been Clinton, I'd have had no problem.
Marj
-
I suspect that some of my discomfort is from being a quaker and not liking his general description of some of the quakers, but it is quite true.. He just does a terrible job of relationships.. The war part seems accurage, but I am not fond of books on any war to be honest.
-
When Carter hinted at sex in the book, I remember being a little embarrassed -- I guess just because he was the President and was so religious and serious, it was difficult to think of him that way.
Marjifay, wasn't it Jimmy Carter who told Rolling Stone magazine he had "lust in his heart? I don't remember the details of why he said that.
Steph, I can appreciate your comment about "every tree and fly." I feel the same way about one I'm reading for my Nov. f2f group. Alan Bradley's Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. There are so many details I feel like I'm slogging my way through quicksand. And this is the FIRST of a series. I'm surprised there is anything left to tell.
-
Some where in my out of control book stack is the Sweetness book.. Oh well.. I picked up the Cybil Shepherd autobiography at a book sale. So I am using that to flavor the Hornets Nest., but my word, the woman slept with anyone that walked by.. Whew.. no discrimination at all.
-
Pedln said "Marjifay, wasn't it Jimmy Carter who told Rolling Stone magazine he had "lust in his heart? I don't remember the details of why he said that."
I do remember that, but don't remember the details either. I looked it up, and the quote was "I've looked on many women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times. God knows I will do this and forgives me."
Whew! At least he is honest. Actually, he is one of my favorite presidents. I especially admire him because of his post-presidential activities. I have his White House Diary on my TBR list.
Marj
-
We must remember that the Carters had 4 or 5 children!?! Jimmy can't be anti-sex. TIC........Jean
-
I thought he was a terrible president , though I had voted for him. He dithered.. But post president he is far far the best.. He has made himself into a man considered to be fair and just.
-
:o :o
Mabel, I have found that most people like that are not anti sex, they are just ANTI talking about it. That is particularly true of southeners.
-
In the Hornets Nest, he is sort of inbetween. One couple who die young are quite enthusiastic about each other and their intimate life, but his main couple do not seem to think it is quite the thing to do. I suspect however that the man is going to get himself in trouble at some point.
-
Hi ladies, I need your help. I'm to pick a book to read during this month for my f2f book group which is meeting Friday. I came across a book that sounded good, but never bookmarked it. I believe the story is about people (women?) caught in an elevator and taking turns talking about their future hopes, maybe. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
If I can't find it I'm going to choose the first book in the series Ladies of Covington. I've already read the first four in the series, but stopped for a while and need a refresher. Besides, the author has written a Christmas book (Christmas in Covington, I think) and I'd like to read that before Christmas.
I just finished listening to Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. I loved it and didn't want it to end. Except that at the end you find out what happens to the main characters. I'm on to Three Cups of Tea and think I will like that, too.
Nancy
-
Can't help with your 'elevator stories' book, NANCY. But if you have to go with the "Ladies of
Covington", you group will probably love it. Only, they may have already read it. :)
-
Aberlaine, I searched for some of the words you used to describe the book and came up with THE ELEVATOR. Is this the book you were thinking of? http://www.amazon.com/Elevator-Steeple-Hill-Womens-Fiction/dp/037378578X
-
NO idea about the elevator book.. Is your ftof all older women.. The ladies of Covington appeal to a certain age group..
-
I had no idea, no idea at all, that it is a Southern thing; yet I confess to being both a Southerner and to hate, hate, hating talk about or visual action concerning sex in books or on the screen.
Actually, I've always believed it to be a generational thing, but perhaps I am mistaken.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Well, I am from London and I hate, hate, hate it too. When I sometimes read magazines in the dentist's waiting room, I am quite frankly stunned, not to mention horrified, at what younger people (and indeed some older people) apparently see fit to share with all and sundry. And I certainly don't want to read the details in novels either.
R
-
Mary Page, I thought it was a generational thing as well.
-
Evidently Jimmy Carter was a proponent of parthenogenesis.
-
I loved that.. He is a much better non fiction writer than fiction. His characters are wooden and he evidently decided that the Indians and the people on the side of the Brits were nicer than the colonists.. So I can say I like the book that much..
-
Thanks for your help, ladies. What I was looking for was a newer book. Maybe I just dreamt it. Yes, my book group consists of older, retired ladies. I've read most of the Covington series, but don't know if they have. I'll have a back-up just in case.
Nancy
-
This was our charity sale morning. A local store lets all the local charities sell five dollar tickets.. The money all goes to the charity.. Then the ticket gets you into the store from 6-10am.. You get five dollars off the purchase and the store discounts things between 40 and 60%.. Great fun. I generally buy my daughter in laws and granddaughters christmas things and did so again, along with sneaking in a few things for me.
-
I saw an ad yesterday for one of our stores (Belk) doing that. I'd never heard of it before. I don't shop, so won't take advantage of it. Sounds great for shoppers, though.
-
Yes, it is Belk and the bargains were enormous.. I am not really a shopper, but I do generally shop at Belks anyway for me..
-
Marcie, I'm glad you found that Elevator book. It sounded pretty good, so I've just downloaded it to my Kindle. And the Kindle price was half that of the print version. Now to find the time to read all the bargains.
Nancy, my f2f group is made up of retirees -- mostly in sixties, early seventies. Two that we read this year that were well liked and lent themselves to good discussion were Nancy Pickard's Virgin of Small Plains and Harlan Coben's Hold Tight.
-
I decided to choose Three Cups of Tea for my f2f book group. I already have it on my mp3 player and have started it. This way I can read a book that I've already chosen to read for myself. Cut down a bit on the books I'm trying to read.
Thanks all for your suggestions.
-
Pedln, I'm glad that you found another interesting book to read. You're right, none of us seems to have any difficulty finding more books!
-
I just finished Sand Sharks by Margaret Maron.. I do love her,, but reading this one, I realized I have missed a recent one in the series.. Her new husbands ex wife was murdered recently and there was a book on it.. News to me.. Must go and check the book reviews to see which one I missed.
-
Or check in the Mystery Corner. Someone will know. Or go to Fantastic Fiction for a list of her books.
-
Or check in the Mystery Corner. Someone will know. Or go to Fantastic Fiction for a list of her books.
Here is Maron:
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/m/margaret-maron/ (http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/m/margaret-maron/)
Scroll down for a list of her Deborah Knott books in order. Looks like the one before "Sand Sharks" is "Deaths Half Acre". I see there is one after "Sand Sharks" too.
-
Steph, I think it's Winter's Child, and if not that one, then it would be Hard Row.
-
I checked and it was Winters Child.. Ordered it through my swap book exchange.. Knew I had missed something. Yes the new one is out in hardback. I tend to wait until paperback. Or download it if it is cheap enough.
-
I am really enjoying The Three Weissmanns of Westport, by Cathleen Schine. It is a story of two middle-aged sisters who find themselves living in a small home with their mother who has just been jilted after fifty years of marriage by her 75 year old husband. (Of course -there is another woman.) I love the characters and swear that I know one personally. :o
It is well written which is unusual for these type of hum-drum "Harry LEAVES Sally" stories.
-
Alf, I have that one on my list, just have not gotten around to getting it yet. So many books,, etc,,
-
I just started Ken Follett's latest titled The Pillars of the Earth. I've never read his novels but judging from the first 100 or so pages this one is a page turner. Any Follett fans out there?
-
Pillars of the Earth is not Follett's latest book. It came out in 1989. But it's one of my favorites. I've gotten it on my Kindle for re-reading in the near future.
-
Jim, I read "Pillars..." and enjoyed it. I'm now reading Ken Follett's latest, which is "Fall of Giants". It's the first book in a Trilogy about the 20th Century and is set in 1915-1924. I find that, in trying to follow the fictional plot lines, I'm skipping over a lot of his detailed descriptions of WWI/Russian Revolution events.
-
I have just finished Staying On (Paul Scott) and really enjoyed it. I think we were speaking earlier about maybe discussing it, and I would like to do that if anyone else would. There were so many little references in it to The Jewel In The Crown; they took me back to many scenes in the TV series, which was so good and so well acted that even now I enjoy just thinking about it.
It's cold and miserable here - the smaller of my Siamese is huddled on the thing at the back of the computer that gets warm - she's already cut of the WiFi a couple of times :) . When she's not there she's sitting in front of the gas fire (off) looking at me plaintively. I am thinking of getting them a heated bed for Christmas - empty nester? Moi? ;D
Rosemary
-
When I still lived in the north, I would laugh at my corgis.. I was living in a victorian with radiators..They both would plaster themselves next to the radiator and I would fuss at them.. I would get such a look. Corgi are way too smart for their own good.
-
Maryz, et.al: Excuse me. I'm surprised that The Pillars of the Earth was pub back in 1989. It was just recommended to me so I assumed it was of a much more recent vintage. Thanks for telling me.
-
I enjoyed Pillars of The Earth immensely, Jim. The mini-series made recently and showing on STARZ was interesting, but disappointing. Perhaps because I loved Pillars so much, I was expecting too much.
Pillars has a sequel, as well; did you know? It is titled WORLD WITHOUT END and takes place in the same place 200 years later with descendants of some of the characters in Pillars. I was given it as a gift some years ago, but have not gotten around to it as yet. Too little time, too many books. Besides, this one is quite large!
Speaking of size, my brand new First Edition of Mark Twain's autobiography is beyond huge; and it is only Volume One of three! I have it on a little stool next to my reading/easy chair, but confess to being daunted. In scanning through it, it is quite, quite wonderful. Glad I lived to see the end of his 100-year edict (so no one living back then would be hurt by his totally frank opinions and merciless descriptions) and I can be privy to his thoughts and memories.
-
MaryPage, I got the Mark Twain autobiography on my Kindle. I haven't gotten to it yet, but John's been reading in it occasionally. I've been hearing lots of chuckles from him. But I gather it's not for sustained reading.
I can't manage the big books anymore - that's why I got the Kindle.
-
I seem to be avoiding the big books, too, lately. Not because they are heavy, but because I
fear they will take up too much of my time and I have other books I want to read. It seems odd, I seem to be less patient as I grow older. I think it is simply the realization that I
have less time available. When I was eighteen, 1000 page books were no problem at all, at all. :-\
-
I read both Pillars......and WWE, liked them both.....Jean
-
Babi-I feel that way about large books, also. When I was younger, I was glad when a book that I was enjoying was large--took longer to reach the end. Now, I am rather daunted if a book is too large. I also like a book to have short chapters, go figure!
Sally
-
Salan and Babi - I avoid big books also - so little time, so much to read. When it comes to fiction, I look for short stories.
-
I fully appreciate and understand those of you who dislike large books, but I can't bear to entertain the thought that I might not have read Gone With the Wind had I avoided large books.
-
Jim, when I read GWTW, I wasn't having problems holding larger books. However, that was a few years ago. ::)
-
GWTW was daunting, but wonderful. I read Pillars years ago and loved it, but did not read the sequel.. Depends on the author. I find that most of the really way too big books have poor editors and go on and on about very little. Read Jimmy Carters Hornets Nest for my FtF book club.. He could have used a stricter editor..
-
SALLY & NL, I'm so glad to find I'm not the only one with that little quirk. I hope,
like MARYZ, I've already read the best biggies.
-
Ijust finished the darndest book.. Not sure exactly how I feel about it. Some Girls..My life in a Harem by Jillian Lauren. It seems to be a story about a current day female. She drifted around in NYC, was in the sex trade,, mostly as a stripper. Very young and stupid.. She answered an ad and went to Brunei as a harem girl for the younger brother of the Sultan.. You could come and go there, no prisoners and no marriage.. He just had parties, picked out a girl each night and day and took them off.. A strange life indeed. She seems to have both liked and disliked it. Stoped when she was 20 or so and is now married, etc and lives in California. Odd.. cannot quite decided if it is fiction or not.. She tells it like it isnt, but it does seem improbable.. Ah well. Sort of funny in parts. But why would you want to become an impersonal sex object like that is beyond me.
-
I think I'll skip that one, STEPH. I wonder what her husband thinks of the book? Fiction or non-fiction, it must still be awkwad for him.
-
The last of the book is about she and her husband adopting a baby. She had had an abortion when younger, but seems to not be able to have children now.. Very odd book indeed.
-
I am a real Ken Follett Fan. I have read everything he has written. I read every word of his latest one..." The Fall of Giants"...I really enjoyed it...I love history...Joan Grimes
-
So there you are JoanGrimes - and looking so much your old self as well...
I'm planning to read Fall of Giants during the Christmas/summer holidays - after I read the new translation of the Lavransdatter trilogy.... which was just released in Australia today -
-
History and Art as I recall, Joan.. oh yeah... going to France.. Hope all is well for you now.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Reading my second Covington ladies book, Gardens of Covington. I think they have become popular because all of us would love to find ourselves living with dear friends, w/whom we are compatible, having no trauma, insuch a lovely uncomplicated place, if we didn't have a spouse. There's just enough community drama to be interesting..........i love Grace and Bob's relationship and that Grace said "no" to his proposal and they could still have a relationship, such a mature behavior........jean
-
Jean, I started the Covington series last year and found I got tired after the fourth book. So I took a break. But I plan on going back and finishing them all. I just love the three ladies and, I agree with you, I'd love to find a few close friends to live with once I'm alone.
Nancy
-
I've just started Verghese's "Cutting Stone", and my thanks to whoever recommended it.
Beautiful writing.
-
Many years ago, I read about a coop in Boston, but had a central atrium area with a large kitchen, dining area and communal space. Then each person had a separate area with tiny kitchen, bedroom, bath.. That way you could have some privacy, but still see others. Struck me as perfect and I would love to live like that. Being a widow is lonely, but at the same time, I tire easily with too much company.
-
Babi, I have Cutting for Stone on my Kindle and am looking forward to reading it. You might find the link below interesting. It's about the author and his efforts to save the physical exam, by teaching his young med students to touch , feel, and talk to the patients. Verghese is a professor at Stanford Medical School.
Saving a Lost Art (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/12/health/12profile.html)
-
Listened at Silver Sneakers yesterday and discovered that many of the women use Medicare plus because they feel they cannot afford AARP medigap or Blue Cross. both are more expensive, but you can choose doctors and hospitals.. Was startled..
-
Thanks for the link, PEDLN. I enjoyed seeing what Verghese looks like...very open and
friendly. Our primary physicians still do physical exams; the specialists just confine
themselves to their own arenas. My cardiologist only listens to my heart, and doesn't
even seem to be particularly interested in further information I might offer. Needless
to say, we will never form a bond. ;)
-
The turkey's cooking, so i'm tootaling arnd in my ipad, just found this interesting list of one person's Best Historical Novel's of 2009
http://www.historicalnovels.info/Best-Historical-Novels.html
There are other links to historical novel sites and blogs.......jean
-
re large books: get a kindle six by nine inches and about a quarter of an inch thick. even at that I brace it against a pillow on my lap and adjust the size to large enough to be read at a distance. their content is good enough to cover most things for me.
-
Margaret Donsbach writes really great reviews, JEAN. I've jotted down several books to look up. I'm having a hard time, tho', adjusting to the perspective (from "Wolf Hall) that features Cromwell as a good guy and Thomas More as the baddie.
-
I am beginning to wonder about the different applications for ebooks. Are they all the same? I saw a free book on facebook, but when I clicked, the applications came up with maybe 6 different types of downloads. I was a bit reluctant to decide, so did not download..My ipad, has ebook, Amazone kindle and Barnes and Nobles.. all free.
-
Finished "Gardens of Covington", loved the way she tied the title into the end of the book. These woman seem very human and real to me, actually all the characters, events and localities seem very natural to me. They have commonplace, not out of the ordinary, or traumatizing events happening in their lives. That's largely the reason i'm enjoying the series.
I liked Heken Van Slyke for the same reason, if i am remembering her books correctly, it's been a long time since i read one. I tho't i had a treat coming, i tho't i had found a Van Slyke book that i hadn't read last week at the library, one that she had started before she died. However, in reading a few pages last night, i think i've already read it, but since i'm not sure, i may enjoy it a second time also, it's been a decade or so since i read any of them.........jean
-
Steph - take a look at
http://manybooks.net/
I've had no trouble w/ these books on my ipad.
Oh my gosh! I just saw the first book they are showing on manybooks is a Grace Livingston Hill book. My mother read many of her books, i probably read one or two, but at the time my impression was that they were stuffy/puritan reads. I think i'll try this one to see if i still think that.....haha
Jean
-
Will check out the site. I was just curious as to whether all of the machines sync to receive the book in proper chapters, etc.
-
I read Steph's comments regarding her reading experiences since childhood and was particularly interested in her interpretation of Animal Farm as she reread it at various age levels while growing into adulthood. I read Animal Farm only as an adult. In the same sense, however, I have read Salinger's Catcher in the Rye several times as an adult and while thoroughly enjoying the novel, I have concluded that I'm simply too thick to garner the political ramifications that so many find objectionable. Someone please help me understand why some find the story of Holden Caulfield's short life is unsuitable reading for the youth.
-
I think Catcher in the Rye is another book that reads differently depending on age.. But the politicial objections are just silly.. But I know people who wont let their children read C.S. Lewis.. and those stories are so wonderful.. The adult quartet is great as well, although not as popular. I read it as a teen and thought it was Sci Fi.. But it is good , no matter what you think it is.
-
My Canadian Jewish grandkids loved C. S. Lewis. When my DIL (ex, but loved) was told they
were just Christian propaganda, she was startled. She went back and re-read them, then
decided, "Okay. But they're good propaganda!"
-
I think Catcher in the Rye is another book that reads differently depending on age
Steph...I believe that's true of all books. When I hear someone brag that their 7 yr old read some lofty title, I think..."oh, that's nice and I hope he/she re-reads it as an adult because it'll be an entirely different experience." I believe firmly that what we "get" from any book is based not only on the author's writing prowess, but more on our own experiences/background. A seven year old (or insert age of your choice) simply doesn't have the experiences of a 28 yr old or a 35 yr old or a 66 yr old. The same book, in my opinion, is, in fact, different for each of those readers, based entirely on their own experiences/background.
Babi...hurrah for your DIL. She sounds like a bright, common-sense woman.
jane
-
Great comments on books reading differently depending on ones age. Re C. S. Lewis, I'm a huge fan of his, though I've managed to skip his Nardia Chronicles. While Mere Christianity seems to be his defining book, I lean toward Christian Reflections. In the trivia arena, he died on the day John Kennedy was assassinated, which I'm sure most of you know. Love him or not, the man was a tremendous thinker.
-
Oh, Jim, you know there are too many bad words in Catcher the Rye for many, and too much masturbation.........of course, we are now at the period where almost all adults read it as teen-agers, some times as assinged reading, sometimes under the covers of the bed or inside the covers of something considered more acceptable, so there are fewer and fewer gripes about it, i suspect.......jean
-
Mabel, it is so long ago that I read it that I don't even recall understanding those references! i was a naive teenager - I didn't even understand the word "sonovabitch" in "Love Story" until quite recently, I honestly thought it was something to do with Casanova.
Rosemary
-
I read about ten pages of "Catcher.." when I was about 23 and put it back on the shelf. I thought it was vulgar.
-
I loved Catcher, but Frannie and Zooey was even better.. Catcher was more a boy type book.
-
I've never read "Catcher" I always thought of it for boys too.
-
C. S. Lewis wrote some 'sci/fi', too, you know. Though those books also had underlying
Christian themes. The only title I can recall at the moment was "The Silent Planet".
-
I just finished a wonderful vintage book by L. M. Montgomery -- THE BLUE CASTLE. This will be in my top ten reads of 2010. 218 pp, a fast, fun read. Maybe you've read it, or her Anne of Green Gables. This is one of her adult books. I loved Valancy, the 29-year-old girl who lives with her overbearing mother and meddlesome old aunt. Valancy and her relatives all believe she is destined to remain a timid, dull old maid. She detests her life and has only her favorite books and her daydreams of living in a Blue Castle to console her. But not to despair. She receives a letter from her doctor that makes her decide to throw caution to the wind, and live only for herself. Her relatives are horrified, as she finds a life full of surprises she never knew existed.
Marj
-
Marj - that sounds wonderful, just my kind of thing. I will look for it at the library. Thanks for the recommendation.
Rosemary
-
I was teaching high school in the 60's and teen-age boys had 2 gifts given to them in that decade - Catcher in the Rye and the movie The Graduate. Both gave them a new perspective of what might be possible in their lives. ;D ;D C in the Rye had been published in the 50's, but was underground for about ten yrs and many teenagers in the Harrisburg school I was teaching in were reading it in the 60's and some less surreptiously than the teens of the 50's.
I had students, both boys and girls, who saw The Graduate over and over. Dustin Hoffman resonated w/ both sexes in his confusion at his potential options, but for boys, the thought of having an Ann Bancroft in their lives brought a whole new fantasy, literally. ;).........jean
-
Oh yes Jean - I wonder if they looked at their friends' mothers differently after that? (Or perhaps not - I can't imagine any of my son's friends entertaining any thoughts about me ;D ;D).
In my college days, it was Debbie Harry who provided the older woman fantasy figure. I have several old university friends who would have enjoyed a weekend with her :)
-
Oh, I loved the movie, The Graduate. I was in my 30s when I first saw it, and must have seen it about 8 times in the theater (that was way before Netflix). Even took my two sons to see it. Remember my oldest who was about 10 then, saying, "Mom, he's (Dustin Hoffman) just like me! He asks lots of questions."
And I loved Catcher in the Rye. Haven't read any of Salinger's other stories, tho.'
Marj
-
I loved Catcher in the Rye... At the time I read it the objection was mostly that it was bout Teenage suicide. I see with you younger people that does not seem to be what any of you see in it...So it goes..Joan Grimes
-
I hated The Graduate, but loved Catcher in The Rye. And I agree, Frannie and Zooey was even better!
-
Yes, the sci fi C.S. Lewis has four books in the series.. They are quite wonderful. They are somehwere in my library.. Heavensknows just where.
-
I'm reading my first Victoria Thompson book. I am enjoying it, but there is no question it is
strongly reminiscent of the Perry books. Except for being in New York instead of London, they
are almost identical. Anne Perry's do, I think, have a deeper character development, but I don't
doubt Thompson's characters will develop also as the series continues.
-
I'm just starting my first Victoria Thompson book Murder in Little Italy. We were away for a few days so haven't been reading much lately.
-
I like the Victoria Thompson books much better than the Anne Perry. It does a good job of showing how customs worked in big cities in that period.
-
One of the things I found hardest to imagine, in both the Anne Perry and
Victoria Thompson's book, was the was society families would cut off
children who embarassed them. Their position in society and their 'good
reputation' was so important to them that they would abandon their own
child. Talk about peer pressure!
-
And severely twisted priorities of what's important, I think!
-
But Thompsons books show how much the loved their daughter.
-
I haven't read these books, but what you said about disowning ones own children reminded me of the film "The Magdalene Sisters" - has anyone see that? It's about the Magdalene laundries that were run by the church in Ireland until really quite recently - the girls who were made to work in them (and live on site, in terrible conditions and under a very harsh regime) had become pregnant whilst unmarried and had been thrown out by their families, such was the scandal attached to this. One of them had actually been raped, but her family still disowned her. Even in the UK, pregnancy outside wedlock was very much frowned on even in my youth - I remember my mother issuing dire threats about it - and I went to an a very bluestocking all girls school and certainly didn't have a boyfriend or access to any men apart from the Chemistry teacher, who was at least 150, or so we thought then :) (He was probably about 42).
R
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I went to a farm comprehensive school.. It is amazing the percentage of my class who got pregnant at early ages and had to leave school. In the early and mid 50's, they did not let pregnant girls continue in class. Now I think they have special classes and teach them child care as well as regular classes.
-
Ginny they used the flower bed for a fire pit. They hydranga and all flowers are gone.
Some mint and other flowers are tryiing for a come back.
No We probably won't sue as it won't do any good. They think they are getting their damage deposit back however and thats not going to happen.
I figure it will take 6 months to get the place back in shape, especially the out building and the yard. Yes we are glad to be back home, Don seems to be calming down. He can't take upheavel and caious it makes him very upset.
Yesterday we went to Wal-Mart which is an hour drive from here and I spent 4 hours shopping. Going to Wal-Mart is like going to Disney Land for me. I bought 173 items and it cost 597.00.
We now need nothing. I even bought 2 rakes and gardening stuff. It was so fun. Although unpacking the truck was not a lot of fun. Putting it away is not nearley so much fun as picking it off the shelves.
-
Judy, I have missed something?? YOu decided you did not like the senior community?? Hmm.. Tell me why.. I am considering going to one and I need input.
-
Yes Steph we moved back to our home. My God what a great feeling. If you can possibly hang on to your own home by all means do it.
These places you see are never what they are made out to be. Ours was supposed to be a INDEPENDANT Senior living apts, with 4 star amenities. I have never seen so many rules.
I also took lots of them to the doctor and got way too involved. Mostly my fault. But when Isee some one in need or needs help I seem to jump right in. haha
-
Some nerve I say!!!! My husband just asked me if I realized I didn't hear as well as I used too?
I said no I hear fine you just need to learn to speak up!!
-
Haha Judy - Good response!
-
My children say thngs like that to me - apparently when they don't hear it's called selective deafness, but when I don't it's the first sign of dementia :)
R
-
I love my hearing aids.. I do hear now and dont miss a thing.. Glad to hear you are happy JUdy. Did not know that you kept your house. Probably a good thing. I thought your husband was having some problems with memory..?
-
Steph, I am extremely interested in what type of hearing aids you obtained that you are happy with. My darling husband paid three thousand dollars for a pair of Beltone hearing aids, wore them all of two times, hated them, threw them in a drawer and never touched them again. He has been dead almost 5 years now, and when I was told last year that I now need them, I took these in with me to see if they could be fixed to fit me. I was told two things: (1) they could not; they cannot be used by anyone else, ever, and (2) Beltone is not any good anyway and no wonder he was unhappy with them and I should let them fit me to the brand THEY sell for over four thousand dollars.
I took my husband's old aids home, put them back in the drawer, and have done nothing about it. My reasoning is that to me $4,000 is an awful lot of money and what if I DON'T LIKE the hearing aids?
As for Senior living places, it is such an individual choice. We are all so different, basically. I have had quite a few friends who settled in happily and loved, or love in the case of the few still living, their Senior communities or Assisted Living apartments or what have you. Me, I cannot stand institutions. It is almost as though I am allergic. So my choice has been to downsize. I sold my home over 10 years ago and moved to a 2-bedroom, 2-bath condominium all on one floor with a fabulous view in a gated community close to my children and all of the amenities. Could not be happier!
-
MaryPage,, I tend to agree about the communiities. This Kendal attracted me because it is attached to the quaker community.. I do love being near a college and libraries. I would be happiest if I could find a place where I could walk most of the time.
Now as to hearing aids. Alas if the hearing aids were in the ear or canal, they were being accurate. They were made from molds of your husbands ear and cannot fit anothers.
I have paid roughly 3000.00 for mine. My new ones are digital. The little mechanism hangs over your ear. Very small and unobtrusive. A small transparent tube is connected and goes to your ear. Depending on the hearing loss, you may simply put the tube in your ear ( mild loss) or have a small ear piece ( mine) that plugs into your ear. You simply do not even feel them and forget they are in . They are fun in that they signal each other in certain types of circumstances and adjust to the phone ( I have problems with my regular phone, but it is mostly that I am fidgety) Work perfectly with the cell. I love them.. They love batteries though, but so do most hearing aids. Mine are Unitron Latitude BTE.
-
Thanks a bazillion, Steph. That was really helpful.
-
I would like to join this discussion.
-
We will be the richer with your presence. (And we really do talk about books, too!)
-
Welcome to the discussion Ursamajor we are happy to have you. Just join right in.
-
This discussion about hearing aids reminded me of the time when my son was about 9 and attended a very small village school. he has a mild hearing loss and has a hearing aid in one ear. The school was across the road from the village church. The teacher was giving a lesson on how to make a Christmas tree out of green paper, card, etc - and the entire lesson was broadcast through the church's loop system. Luckily at that time of day only the minister was over there. The teacher was mortified - but I think it could probably have been a lot worse!
-
Oh Rosemary.. What a wonderful mental picture. Hopefully mine never broadcast to anyone..
Just finished Fire and Ice by Jance.. I like her and this was a particularly good one. Put five books up new for my paperback swap club on line and they were all snapped up in the first hour. The club is sooo active.
-
Steph, sometime when you have a moment, would you explain about the swap club. It sounds interesting.
-
FlaJean, our 3X-a-week swim class goes to coffee after class, and we're always exchanging books or book recommendations. Nothing formal, but we're all readers, so it was a natural thing. We pass along magazines, too.
-
www.paperbackswap.com. this is an online swap club. You enter books to trade.. At least 12 to begin with, but some people have many many books.. Then you get credits for each trade. When I joined several years ago, they gave you three credits to start.. You go through the literally thousands of books offered.. audio books,, hardback,paperback,large print, cassettes.. All are offered. You order books.. and people order from you. When you ship,, you pay the shipping.. But when you order they do.. Evens itself out over the long term. The most incredible amount of variety is available. They also have a wish list and you can enter any number of books that you want there. When they become available and it is your turn,, they will notify you. They also sell books under some sort of special pricing..All in all a lovely place to belong.
-
Thanks, Steph for that info.
-
My 5 best fiction reads of 2010:
THE BLUE CASTLE by L. M. Montgomery
TO A GOD UNKNOWN by John Steinbeck
CONFESSIONS OF A PAGAN NUN by Kate Horsley
MUDBOUND by Hilary Jordan
DOOMSDAY BOOK by Connie Willis
Worst of 2010:
LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN by Colum McCann
BRIDGE AT SAN LUIS REY - Thornton Wilder
AGNES GREY by Anne Bronte
What your best/worst of 2010?
Marj
-
Confessions of a Pagan Nun.. Now that sounds interesting..Was it??
-
Yes, Steph, I found CONFESSIONS OF A PAGAN NUN very interesting. A really beautifully told short novel. It's set in the Ireland of 500 C.E. at a time when Patrick 's Christianity was beginning to drive out the old Druid ways. A nun, formerly a pagan, has come to Saint Brigit's monastery and tells the story of her being reared in a pagan village and her longing for the ability to read and write. I loved the questions she asks herself, after she has read and transcribed the writings of the scholars and philosophers for the monastary, when she begins to see what is happening as her world changes. You really are taken back to that time in Ireland when the Druids lived there. Fascinating and thought provoking. I would like to read more of her books.
-
These are my top fiction reads for 2010:
Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
Framed - Frank Cottrell Bryce
Staying On - Paul Scott
Love Lessons - Joan Wyndham
The Children Who Lived In A Barn - Eleanor Graham
Excellent Women - Barbara Pym (that was a re-read but I love it still)
Flowers for Mrs Harris - Paul Gallico
The Importance of Being Seven - Alexander McCall Smith
Ballet Shoes - Noel Streatfeild (another re-read)
And the worst:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society (I know this was much liked, but I absolutely loathed it and couldn't even finish it)
Loves Me, Loves Me Not - Katie Fforde (editor)
Paradise Fields - Katie Fforde (tried her twice because a colleague really likes her, but what a lot of badly written rubbish (IMHO :) - she's very popular though, so it's probably just me)
Rosemary
-
Sorry, it's just dawned on me that Love Lessons (Joan Wyndham) was non-fiction - better make that my top non-fiction read then :) - and my worst was "Howard's End Is On The Landing" - Susan Hill - of which I expected great things but found insufferable.
R
-
I can never do top or bottom ten.. Because I read so much that my memories are all of the latest things i read.. Hmm.. Maybe if I kept notes..
-
Steph, I have had to start writing them down in a notebook that one of my daughters gave to me, as otherwise I can't remember what happened last week, let alone what I read 6 months ago. Daughter has actually got a proper "book review" book, and I think i might get one for myself for Christmas (nobody else will! - rest of family would think i was mad, and Madeleine (the only one who does read) has already got her presents organised).
R
-
Steph, I could never remember the names of all the books I read unless I kept a list on my computer. Along with the book title and author, I write a short summary and a rating for each. This list also keeps me from buying duplicates.
Marj
-
Rosemary, I also liked Brideshead Revisited very much. (It was hard to pick just 5 favorites for the year.) Have you seen the 1981 British TV mini-series of Brideshead with Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews (also Sr. Lawrence Oliver as Sebastian's father). Just wonderful. It's available from our Netflix. Don't know if you have a similar service in Scotland.
Marj
-
I didn't care for any of the characters.
MARJ, I often find that to be the
reason I don't finish a book. I really don't care what happens to the characters
Why should I waste my time reading the book?
Tch, tch. Don't you know "Bridge at San Luis Rey" is supposed to be a classic?! Actually, when I read it, I couldn't understand why. Never read Anne Bronte. I guess we can't expect all the sisters to write equally well.
Keeping lists of all books read sounds very efficient....and far too much trouble. If I don't
remember the book when I pick it up, I've probably forgotten enough of it to enjoy it again.
(sometimes..) ::)
-
Steph, I could never remember the names of all the books I read unless I kept a list on my computer. Along with the book title and author, I write a short summary and a rating for each. This list also keeps me from buying duplicates.
Marj
Me, too, Marj...and I list if I own it or got it from a Library and which one. This spreadsheet is working well for me and easy to sort and print those I already own when I'm off to book stores.
Babi...it's a big help when I recall a character or whatever and can't remember the book title or author. The ol' memory just isn't what it used to be.
If I don't like the characters or get involved within about 25 pages, the book goes back to the library. I spent enough years of my life having to read literature I disliked, because of school (as a student or teacher). I don't have to do that now that I'm retired. My philosophy is that "Life's way too short to read books I don't like, wear ugly shoes or use paper napkins."
jane
-
Marjifay - yes, I eventually saw the Brideshead Revisited TV adaptation last year, when my son kindly bought it for me on DVD. I am not quite sure why I didn't see it when it first came out - my mother and I were avid watchers of things like The Jewel In The Crown, and I do wonder if Brideshead was avoided in our house because of the undertones of homosexuality (although that doesn't make sense either when one thinks of characters like Ronald Merrick).
in any event, I watched it all last year and absolutely loved it. There is so much good that it is hard to pick out a favourite scene, but I particularly love the time in Venice, when Charles throws open the shutters and sees the Grand Canal in all its glory. Wonderful, wonderful film.
R
-
jane, AMEN!!!!
(Well, I guess I DO wear ugly shoes - but then I have ugly feet. ::) )
-
Jane, I so agree about the books and napkins - not so sure about the shoes, I feel life is too short to have sore feet!
Rosemary
-
You all just reminded me to put another column in my newly started book inventory list - whether I read it or not. Since I had to buy the Microsoft Office Suite for classes, I may as well get some use out of the Access database program. Hurray! Done with this semester as of today.
-
Jane, add that life is also
too short to drink cheap wine to your list and I agree (except for the ugly shoes--I choose comfort over style, but do try to find shoes that aren't toooo ugly!)
Sally
-
Yes, Jane, I agree with your list, and with Salan in adding bad wine, and add to the list weak coffee or tea.
Ugly shoes are in the eye of the wearer, I guess - I bought a pair of "Earth" shoes that have a backward tip, at the suggestion of my son's girlfriend. They are, I think, rather plain looking and klutsy, but so comfortable that I have a hard time leaving them in the closet when they don't match what I'm wearing. I was attending a book discussion and was asked where I got them because apparently other people think they look great.
I am struggling to read Three Cups of Tea - want to read fiction instead and have a couple of mysteries at my bedside also.
-
Yes, definitely weak coffee and bad wine. Also horrible cakes - especially scones, about which I am inordinately fussy; my husband knows we may as well just walk out of a cafe if I have spied the scones and don't like the look of them :)
R
-
Hmm. On the ugly shoes, now I go for comfort, but for many years, I loved very very high heels, very fashionable shoes.. But I agree on cheap wine..books.. on the cloth napkins.. I vary on that one. MDH and I always used our cloth napkins and napkin rings. Now I confess in this first year of alone.. sometimes I am sloppy, eat in the living room, or with a book and use a paper napkin.. Sigh.. I will improve I am sure.
-
Yes, Babi, I know Thornton Wilder's book about that dam..d bridge (1927) is considered a classic. Actually, his writing improved with practice, LOL, and I loved his play, Our Town.
As to Anne Bronte, I don't know whether hers improved. I've wanted to read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, but after Agnes Grey, I don't know....
Her sister Charlotte wrote a couple of good ones, but don't try her Villette. It takes her 3 pages to say what could be said in a couple of paragraphs. Ugh! I couldn't finish this 500+ page bore.
Marj
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
JANE, you must really have a detailed worksheet set up, if you can retrieve your
information by character. But then, you are one of our gurus around here. I totally agree
with your philosophy re. books, but my shoes are chosen for comfort and there is enough
laundry without adding napkins. (I do recycle. :-[)
STEPH, I now eat many of my meals sitting in my chair in front of the TV. Shucks, why
not?
Anybody else read Anne Bronte's "Tenant of Wildfell"? What did you think of it?
I did read "Villette", long ago, but I don't remember a thing about it. Maybe one of these
days I'll take another look and see what I think of it now. It's still in there on the shelf, old
and shabby.
-
I read Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall decades ago, probably back in the forties or fifties, and liked it very much. They were all three hugely talented, but I think Emily the most. Loved going to Haworth with my husband in 1971 and being right there where they lived out their so short lives. Those tiny miniature books they wrote are in glass counters for visitors to see but not touch. Blew me away, they did! Also the size of those women. They have a dress of Charlotte's on a dummy for all to see. She was tiny, tiny, tiny. Must have had bones like a bird's!
I adored Three Cups of Tea and could not put it down. Could not wait to get Stones Into Schools, and devoured that, as well. One of my daughters is reading it now; she, too, loved Three Cups. These were easily two of my best reads for 2010.
In the fiction department, nothing comes close to the three Steig Larsson books, all of which I read in 2010. Wow!
-
We always use cloth napkins. And when I eat in my chair ( :-[ ), I use a dishtowel for my napkin/bib.
-
MaryPage - I too visited Haworth in the early 70s - it was a foggy day, and going up there in the swirling mists was so atmospheric. I had never really been anywhere outside southern England in those days, and I remember seeing the rows of terraced houses that went up hills and ended in green fields - somethng I had never seen in london, where one street just always led to another one.
Around that time there was a TV series about the Brontes - I remember that we enjoyed it very much, and that every time the old father went up the stairs to bed, he took out a big key and wound the grandfather clock on the stairs. The day he died, they showed the clock, unwound and stopped.
I have not read any Anne Bronte - we did Jane Eyre at school, and - as with so many things - the having to pull it all to pieces so much put me off reading any more. I think schools - or at least my school - got us to read many things when we were too young, although I still appreciate the vast swathes of Shakespeare that I was obliged to commit to memory, especially Henry IV Part One, Anthony & Cleopatra, and Henry V (our set texts, I think, for O and A levels).
Rosemary
-
I have a spread sheet for books read with a column showing VG (very good), G (good), NG (not good) but I have to confess it is hit and miss on whether I bother with it. Comfortable shoes are a must for me. My almost 75 year old feet are in very good condition and I want to keep them that way. Fashion lost my interest years ago.
I loved Three Cups of Tea and I am looking forward to reading Stones into Schools. I am #2 on the library reserve list for Margaret Maron's new book Christmas Mourningand am looking forward to that.
-
I hope to have time to re-read The Dark is Rising. I like to re-read that series, or at least that book, during the Christmas season. I would think it would mean even more to our English participants. Susan Cooper is the author; five books, nominally for children.
-
Maryz, I use the same type of cloth napkin you do - except mine is made of terry cloth. :D
Rosemary, I so agree with your comment "as with so many things - the having to pull it all to pieces so much put me off reading any more."
Although I enjoy reading the comments, I think that's why I don't participate much in book discussions here (or anywhere else); I really don't like dissecting a story.
I wish I could still wear fashionable shoes. Unfortunately, an inherited arch problem that has worsened with age has resulted in my having to wear leather braces on both feet. They look like boots and go from the pad of the foot to just above the ankle bone. Corrective surgery would mean being in a wheelchair - then a cast - for the better part of a year for each foot - and the surgery isn't guaranteed.
I can walk "naturally" without aids - but cannot walk/stand for very long at a time and my legs do ache at the end of a busy day.
The hardest thing to bear is that I can no longer travel/tour - even though "the rest of me" :) could still do it.
Ah - the Aging Process!!
-
Callie, my knees hate me. One of my best investments is an easy-to-fold rolling walker with a seat. I don't use it at home, but it's been in just about every museum in NY and DC, and on the buses, and will go to the Picasso exhibit in Seattle next week. It's also handy in the airports as I can plop my laptop and stupid CPAP on the seat, goes right up to the gate.
STEPH, I now eat many of my meals sitting in my chair in front of the TV. Shucks, why
not?
Me too, Babi, and sometimes in front of the computer reading the New York Times, especially at breakfast. If I'm eating by myself I'm not going to just stare at the plate.
Flajean, thanks for the Maron reminder. I just asked my library to think about getting it. They have all her other books. My library has recently updated its website to have a page for recommendations. I hope it gets as much attention as the emails I've sent. They have been quite good about getting suggested titles.
I use mostly paper napkins or paper towels. I like cloth napkins at a restaurant, and will use them if I have guests for a meal. But I want my napkins clean -- at every meal. My Seattle family uses cloth, with different little animal rings, so that's what I'll be using next week, but I know they get mixed up. :-*
-
Callie and Pedlin, it's my back that prevents me from doing much that requires walking or standing for very long. I have stenosis and degenerative disc. Just had an MRI and will start steroid shots in Jan. Hopefully, that will help. I also have one of those walkers, Pedlin. I only use it when I am going somewhere that will involve much walking or standing. It's been very helpful. Pedlin, I also have a cpap machine. I hate having to use it; but am thankful for it, too.
I read the Maron book Christmas Mourning. A quick easy read that I enjoyed. Am mostly reading Christmas themed books that are light. I have read several of Anne Perry's Christmas books and a couple of Debbie MacComber (altho, a little of her goes a looooong way--a little too "goody, goody" for even me!).
Will leave for Dallas tomorrow to spend the holidays with my daughter and her family. In case I don't post again before
Christmas; everyone have a happy one~
Sally
-
This week will be the week I read "The Watching". It is done beautifully with many illustrations by the Corgi-aid people. It is to benefit homeless corgi who need vet assistance before being adopted. A very good cause and the book is quite different.. It used to only be on line, but now you can get a hard copy and I do love it.
-
MARZ, I wish I would remember to arrange a 'bib' for eating in my chair...before I get
comfortable. It would certainly save me the embarassment of walking about with stains on
my tops. No wonder 'old age' is so often compared with childhood. :-[
Social engagements of any kind are sort of 'iffy' for me. As I told my daughter, I no longer
make plans, I 'consider possibilities'. "If" I can make it, I will.
Memory certainly isn't what it used to be. I happily brought home from the library the first
two Louise Penny books, only to find I had already read them both. I didn't recognize the author's name when we were discussing her.
On the plus side, I did complete a New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle! 8)
-
Babi - your post made me smile this morning. Thanks.
Re the "chair bib" - I have a basket under my chair-side table where I keep all manner of things that I need. A terry-cloth dishtowel lives there - getting washed and replaced as needed. ::)
-
I read Christmas Mourning and did not enjoy it. I'm not that fond of the author, but I thought I would give another of her books a try, so I finished it.
We always use cloth napkins - goes by to Earth Day, I think. Then my husband bought me, someone who never had a sewing lesson, a sewing machine (ever hopeful in those days, he also bought a deep fat fryer in the hopes of getting homemade donuts). I never got beyond sewing in straight lines or mending, so I bought material and made cloth napkins, some of which we just first threw away a few years ago. I look for cloth napkins on sale or at rummage sales and often find some, never used usually, and we have a big drawer full. They are especially nice when eating outside because they don't blow away as easily as paper napkins.
Right now I am still reading Gladys Hasty Carroll's Chrismas Through the Years. I think I'm up to the WWI time now.
-
Another thing that makes good cloth napkins is washcloths. Sometimes you can buy a package of 10-12 cheap terry washcloths. They make good casual napkins.
-
I shattered my ankle 5 years ago. It never really healed, and one nail/pin was working its way out through my skin. Painful and frightening. It has been operated on 7 times and is basically past it. If I had been a horse they would have shot me, or at least put me out to pasture.
I had a date (love that term) with a guy yesterday and our plan was to have lunch and then go to the soccer / football (the one with the round ball where the only player alowed to touch the ball is the goalkeeper) at Robina on the Gold Coast. Sounded like an enjoyable outing, or so I thought. The rain started as soon as we started lunch and did not stop pouring until we reached our destination about an hour and a half later.
No parking was to be found within 3km of the Stadium. So we set off on foot. Me wearing an extremely glamorous plastic parka thing, and he looking much smarter in a waterproof jacket and jeans etc. Orange is a colour I hate, but the date had packed it especially for me. The waterproof parka was bright orange and I looked like a balloon. We had to walk at least three kiometres in the pouring rain to get to the stadium. As soon as we floated into the Stadium the announcement was given that the game had been called off. There were many more dramas later, but I will spare you those.
Today my ankle feels as though someone is thrusting a knife into it. Oh Vanity. All is Vanity.
It is entirely in the hands of the gods if I will see the date again. :( Thanks for listening/reading. Sorry to vent all over the board.
Oh. I use paper towels, but hate them. Maryz idea is a good one.
-
That is a HOOT!
And yes, I want MORE!
The "date," not the ankle.
-
Poor ankle - I'm so sorry. And I'd like to hear more about the date, too.
-
Oh Roshanarose, what a day! I hope you are feeling better now. We are getting so fed up with tramping around in snow boots at the moment, but it's that or fall flat on your face and/or get your feet/trousers soaked.
Do tell us about the rest of the date :D. And don't worry about venting (not on my account anyway) I do it all the time - my daughter aged 12 had to sit on the stairs and listen to me do just that as soon as she came home from school the other day - luckily she's the patient one....
R
-
Thank you for your sympathy. :o
I told the story to my daughter this afternoon and she found her mother's discomfiture extremely amusing.
As for the date. It is similar to my affair with your illustrious President. I must remain discreet.
-
Ah, but you have the courage to have a date. I have been turning them down. Just not quite ready to cope with anyone elses feelings.. Plus it is scary as far as I am concerned.. We are still too cool in 'Florida, but no snow and no heavy rain, so we are lucky.
-
My chair side table has a drawer, MARYZ. Maybe I should pop a 'bib' in there. I already have several other 'conveniences' either on or in that table.
My sympathies re. your 'date', ROSHANA. I am astounded that so many people (no parking within 3km!) were there on a day when there was every likelihood the game would be canceled. Soccer on a wet, slippery field does not sound too likely, but then I know absolutely nothing about it.
All my reading just now is light fiction...mysteries and sci/fi. Well, except
for the selected ancient historians I am reading a bit at a time over
breakfast. Speaking of which....I haven't had mine yet. I think I'll go
scrounge. Have a good day, all.
-
If, like me, you are tired of the usual mishmash of boring Christmas book recommendations, here are a couple of nontraditional holiday books recommended by someone in another group:
HOLIDAYS ON ICE by David Sedaris (Me Talk Pretty One day) Sedaris gets the most mileage out of Christmas, from his stint as a Macy's elf in "Santaland Diaries," to comparing American and Dutch holiday traditions in "Six to Eight Black Men." In "Jesus Shaves," Sedaris recalls a French class in which students try to explain to each other, in broken French, the concept of Easter: "On the Easter we be sad because somebody makes Jesus dead today."
POLITICALLY CORRECT HOLIDAY STORIES FOR AN ENLIGHTENED YULETIDE SEASON by James Finn Garner. Includes "Twas the Night Before Solstice," "Frosty the Persun of Snow," and others.
THE STUPIDEST ANGEL; A HEARTWARMING TALE OF CHRISTMAS TERROR by Christopher Moore. Not for the kiddies.
Marj
(I loved your "date" story, RoshanaRose!)
-
Steph I do understand what you mean, although our circumstances are different. My husband and I divorced 5 years ago. I still dream of him every night and no man can even come close to competing with him, at least as far as I am concerned. So having the date was a big leap for me. Shame it was so disastrous. My problem is that I fear that I am going to be hurt again. I think my vulnerability shows and men sense it. It was strange because when I was with "the date" we both spoke openly and fondly about our ex spouses. Bitterness is even worse than vulnerability and if a man sledges his ex wife or women in general, I run a mile, or take him to task for it.
BabiMany Australians are just plain sports crazy. I may be crazy in many ways, but I HATE getting wet. Perhaps there were so many there because the game was free, put on by some fat cat in order to appease the Queensland government. Quite bizarre, the whole thing.
-
For Steph and others who have loved and lost. I guess that's the majority of us. Not a poem, but one of my favourite songs.
THE ROSE (Bette Midler)
Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower, and you it's only seed.
It's the heart, afraid of breaking, that never learns to dance.
It's the dream, afraid of waking, that never takes a chance.
It's the one who won't be taken, who cannot seem to give.
And the soul, afraid of dyin', that never learns to live.
When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong,
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes The Rose.
For a poem about the rose, see the Emily Dickinson, last posted by Barb. It's so beautiful.
-
I have always loved the Bette Midler... The Rose.. Now it is appropriate for me.. So is Trisha Yearwood.. " I would have loved him anyway".. Ah well. Life hands us surprises..Some not much fun at all/
-
ROSAHAN, sounds like the old Roman games, which rich men would stage free for the populace to gain political support. The games change...the motivation remains the same.
-
Since my memory is so bad, I can't remember all the books I've read this year. But here they are:
FAVORITES
The Help
On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Three Cups of Tea
Glass Castles
The Other Boleyn Girl
I'm looking forward to reading the Stieg Larsen trilogy.
The WORST books I read this year were:
Let The Great World Spin
Outlander
-
Babi - an interesting observation. I hadn't thought of that.
Steph - I just read those Trish Yearwood lyrics - they brought tears to my eyes.
-
Aberlaine- I loved the trilogy but they are not for the fanit hearted reader. There's some pretty gruesome chapters and so are the scenes in the first movie.
-
Alf,, I love Biltmore and have never seen it at Christmas.. I am sure it is truly lovely. One of the very very few great houses that is liveable..
Still putting off the Stieg Larson until I can tolerate violence again.
-
Steph - Christmas at Biltmore is incredible. We've been there 2-3 times at Xmas. It's definitely worth putting on your agenda next year.
-
Iam in love with Asheville period.. If I were a bit younger, say mid 50's..( hmm thats almost 20 years younger) I would move there. It is a beautiful vibrant city and has several smaller towns close by.. Hendersonville is a gem..and Waynesville is nice as well. Black Mountain.. Ah,, that part of the country is so very beautiful.. IF my sons were not both in Florida, I would not stay. This is where my husband loved, not me..The humidity and long heat is not my thing.
-
North Carolina isn't that far, STEPH. How close are your sons now? If at least one of them is
only a few minutes away, I can see how helpful that would be. But if Asheville would get you
away from that humidity, it might be worth the longer drive for you and your sons. If moving
isn't feasible, maybe August in the North Carolina hills would work as an annual escape.
(It's so easy to propose all these major undertakings for somene else. ::) )
-
I agree, Steph. Unless I were on the ocean, I wouldn't want to live in FL. And that would have its own set of problems. Of course, we're just a little way from the NC mountains. We love that area, but love what we have here, too. None of our girls live here - range from 1+ to 4 hours away.
-
What interesting tales about the dating or should I say "re-entering" experience. I have just finished the most delightful book about that very thing, told from the male perspective -- Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. A story about village life in contemporary UK, with hunts, golf, class, racial tensions, and even excellent women. I thought of Barbara Pym often.
The cover is one of the most enchanting and creative book covers I've seen in a long time. It is actually from the cover of a 1924 Life magazine.
Major Pettigrew's Cover (http://www.ricsartshop.com/vintage-life-magazine/Life-Magazine-Cover-1924-Grenard-April-Fool.html)
-
My sons are two and three hours away further south in Florida.. I would be totally alone in North Carolina and am not sure I would enjoy that. That is why I have rented the house for July. This way I can figure out how I feel..
-
Steph, it should be great to be in the mountains in July - away from the heat and humidity of FL.
-
Good thinking, STEPH. Closeness to my kids is the most important thing for me, too. There was a time in my life when I lived alone and was content, but that time is past. I literally do not know what I would do if I did not have my younger daughter with me.
-
Maryz - how abt those UConn women? When do they play Tennessee?.......Did you ever get to read Vivian Stringer's book?
North Carolina mountains in July sounds cool and quiet Steph.
I am surprised at some of our friends who are thinking of moving away from their children AND grandchildren, and fairly far away. I would hate not seeing mine regularly, but then, i'm not a great traveler, so distance may seem more negative to me. We have good friends who live in Indiana, their children are in NC and Montana and abt every other month they go to one or the other. They have the money to do that, but at one point the husband had to take dyalsis equipment w/ him also, fortunately he has now had a transplant.
Have a good Christmas everyone!
-
We've been living in Florida almost 23 years and I love it. We get plenty of cold weather here in the north central part and as long as there is air conditioning in the summer I'm happy. I don't miss the times I got caught in a snow storm or shoveling snow and still endured the heat in summer with the air conditioning going.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
jean, UConn does have an amazing streak going. Tennessee doesn't put them on the schedule any more. If they played each other, it would be in the tournament.
-
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
-
Yes, in Florida, ifyou get above Ocala and you get slightly cooler weather, not quite so much humidity.. But I dont like the Panhandle at all.. I just returned from seeing my sons for Christmas and would not like to be further away.
-
Steph- speaking of Ocala-- if I ever get home let us meet for lunch again.
-
Alf and any other central Floridians.. lunch it is.. Everybody get together and plan. The old Seniornet had a nice lady who lived in Bushnel.. part of the year and Tennessee part of the year. Is she around in this one?? I think she called herself sexysixty.
-
I have a happy memory of the Florida panhandle, STEPH, simply because that is where I first
discovered that the Gulf of Mexico waters can be a bright and beautiful blue. Over on the
Galveston side, it's always gray. :(
-
I remember the name sexysixty but can not remember who the lady was Steph.
Yes, indeedy, let's make a plan. There's no reason we shouldn't get together for a mini meeting, is there? I enjoyed it last time, didn't you?
who are our Floridians in here? Yoohoo!
-
Steph and Alf, SexySixty was the name Lorraine used. She still lives in Bushnell, but I don't think she participates much any more. I'll send her an e-mail and let her know that you're getting a group together for lunch.
-
Steph and Alf, I've posted messages on your "My Messages" place with Lorraine's e-mail. She was glad to hear from you and about this site.
-
Lorraine is in for lunch, but she does hospice volunteering with her little dog and has little on line time.. I did find her on facebook as well.. Just could not remember her name. I think there is a FlJean.. and she lived possibly in Ocala?? Also a lady who lived in the Villages. I know that Oscar Dorr died several years ago. He was down where my younger son lives in Punta Gorda and wrote a column for the local newspaper. Nice man.
-
I remember Lorraine. I think she was active in the Depression forum - maybe on the old SeniorNet. Haven't seen her here. Yes, she loved doing hospice with her little dog.
-
Yes, Sparky, the dog is now 15 and a half and going strong. I am not sure how she would handle losing him.. She is in the process of buying a house down here.
-
Steph- this is great. I will write to Lorraine as well and tell her of our interest in getting reacquainted.
By the way, we are kicking off the New Year with a discussion of Little Bee, by Chris Cleave.
Traude and I would be delighted to have you join us here.
Little Bee (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=1802.0)
-
Ah yes, I am in for Little Bee.]
My light book just now is a Jody Picoult.This one is about a different disease.. Brittle bone.. and suing your OB.. Hmm. Understand what is happening, but dont quite agree at this point.
-
I read that Picoult book too. It illustrates how badly we handle illness and birth defects in this country.
-
Whats the name of that one. I've read all her books.
-
Hi Jeriron! Long time no see. Happy to find you again.
I think the book was Handle with care
-
Y es, it is Handle with Care.. My big problem with Picoult is that she loves to hurt the sibling.. In at least one of the books, the sib ( who I liked) ended up dead. The girl who needed everything.. lived and I thought she was a major pain.. The mothers all tend to be obsessive..But then maybe you are with a major sick child.
-
The thing that I love the best in the Picoult books is the fact that she touches on very sensitive issues and she gives everybody a voice, be they the good guy or the bad guy. One may not agree with the narrator but it opens your eyes as to their own personal feelings and sentiments. It doesn't matter to Picoult's characters whether you like their opinions or not, they are entitled to their own bias and will let you know why they feel as they do.
-
I liked My Sister's Keeper for the reasons mentioned above, although eventually I thought the mother was beyond the reach of reason - sacrificing the living for the dead, almost. When it comes to giving up body parts one cannot expect the person asked to continue to accept the situation without protest.
-
I like her books because she puts lots of work into research. I,m not always happy with the ending though.
-
You are right about the research. I often dont like her endings. Handle with Care had an ending which made not much sense..
-
ah so this is where everyone is chit chatting - finally took time to explore SeniorLearn and find out what is going on - I seemed to have crawled out from under my rock this fall - I was a bear for a couple of years that found hibernation the best solution for a short temper over everything and anything along with Poetry, my balm.
Steph I can hear you about humidity but would you be OK with all that snow and ice? Asheville does remind me of Austin back about 25 years ago when we felt we were the town rather than a town that grows and changes by the minute. My daughter is in Saluda just east of Hendersonville and has been after me for several years to make the move - for various reasons I prefer Austin but one of the biggies - seldom, or if it does happen, the time is short for ice much less snow.
An author I found this year and delight in his books is David Mas Masumoto (http://tinyurl.com/8gv1)
One of the best books I read that far surpassed any I read on aging or retirement is Inventing the Rest of Our Lives: Women in Second Adulthood (http://tinyurl.com/28locsx) by Suzanne Braun Levine
I loved Grisham's "Ford Country" - that first story was such a hoot - he really has his Southern characters down.
Mavis Cheek surprised me - I expected a soap opera and found some meat - so far I read two of her books - Mrs Fyttons Country Life (http://www.amazon.com/Fyttons-Country-Life-Mavis-Cheek/dp/0571225861/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1294352997&sr=1-1) and Patrick Parker's Progress (http://www.amazon.com/Patrick-Parkers-Progress-Mavis-Cheek/dp/0571214487/ref=pd_sim_b_1)
Narrow Dog to Indian River (http://www.amazon.com/Narrow-Indian-River-Terry-Darlington/dp/0385342098/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1294353146&sr=1-1) by Terry Darlington was a travel-log about a couple from Britian sailing a narrow flat bottom English river boat along the inside byways on the coast from Va. to Florida - lovely read, offering their perspective on how we live...
My favorite of the year has to be - A Journey of the Imagination: The Art of James Christensen (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0867130210/ref=s9_simh_se_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=auto-no-results-center-1&pf_rd_r=0EY3BPZPW492FA2H6FWK&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_p=1263465782&pf_rd_i=ourney-Imagination-Art-James-Christensen) The art is marvelous and more the philosophy behind each character is so wonderful...
-
Barbara - Great to "see" you here. I must admit I often wondered why I never saw your posts on any of the other discussion boards. If you are fond of the Classics we would love to see you there as well.
-
Since I have lived off and on on the Inland waterway, have made a note of the book..Some of the Inland isnt particularly inland and quite rough..So it must have been interesting in a flat bottom boat.
I just threw in the towell on the Little Bee.. Just way too violent for me.
-
Welcome, Barbara. We have missed your posts.
-
Barb - a book that I like is "Reinvented Lives: Women at Sixty: A Celebration" by Elizabeth and Charles Handy.
It is a collection of pieces by women who are, or are approaching, 60, and all of whom feel that being that age has changed their lives for the better. They are by no means all famous, but they are all very interesting people, none of whom is letting the grass grow under her feet.
Rosemary
-
Thanks for the welcome - sometimes life throws so much at you within a short time that you think you are handling it since you have to, there is no one around to handle it for you, but in reality your in another zone and do not realize it. Whatever kicks you off to stop the stopping allows the fever to normalize while you regain your spirit.
OOO Roemsary I must look into your suggestion - I love books that make retirement years sound like something more than rocking on the front porch.
Steph I think you would enjoy the book since you would have a better picture while reading of all the places they visit and the challenges because of their boat. I liked how several spots along the way they were able to characterize the community and in a few places the culture of the people in a particular community. Since my sister lives in Corolla, the outer banks - knowing we cross the bridge when we visit therefore, seeing some of the inner waterway I thought it would help me relate while reading. I found the book able to stand alone with no knowledge of the coastal land and seascape - it was a delightful adventure that gave me ideas.
Was I surprised at Christmas - one of the books I had in my amazon cart was under the tree - not a usual title and so I was gobsmacked as the saying goes - seemed when I was using my daughter's computer I left what I was doing on Amazon to help out with something and as usual these days forgot what I was in the middle of doing - she came along and saw my list - chose the top book and voila, there it was wrapped to open Christmas morning - God is not One (http://www.amazon.com/God-Not-One-World-Differences/dp/006157127X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1294430160&sr=1-1) by Stephen Prothero -
Amazing to learn how different the eight major religions are from each other and here we are trying to negotiate a common world ethic - like we all learned that the Islam religion was made up of Sunni and Shia when the Iraq war first started there are many huge differences among religions to straddle - and of course to round out my understanding I had to immediately order - used of course - Hans Küng's, Global Responsibility in Search of a New World Ethic (http://www.amazon.com/Global-Responsibility-Search-World-Ethic/dp/1592445608/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1294430541&sr=1-1-spell).
For such a brilliant philosopher I find Hans Küng easy to read - I do not 'need' a dictionary at my side for every page as some - it would be easy to zip through one of his books till it hits and you go into a revere altering all you know because of his well thought out point - to me he writes like solving a geometry problem - step by step he leads to a gradual conclusion with perfect analogies and explanations.
In his book he expresses the pitfalls and positives of religion leading us to a world ethic which is hand and glove to Prothero's book to find where there are possible points of understanding much less common ground - just one of the startling factors to me is that we accept and assume the world is like Christians who are concerned about sin, the avoidance and redemption from sin where as, for instance the Buddhists do not believe in sin - lots to ponder.
-
Thanks Barb, I've just added those two to my buy list. In fact, I also added Kung's The Beginning of All Things - Science and Religion
-
Barb - I could never imagine you "rocking on the front porch"! The breadth of your interests, knowledge and experience, and the amount of your energy and enthusiasm, is truly amazing.
R
-
Steph, I agree with you - I had to stop reading Little Bee as well. I also saw how popular the trilogy by Steig Larsson was and started to read the first book, only to find I had to stop that one as well. I guess, in my old age, I like violence less and less. I've even had to amend my TV watching to remove some of my favorite shows which I couldn't watch anymore: NCIS, CSI Miami.
-
OhAberlaine, I do so agree. I have at least one of the trilogy on audio books and have not started it. I just cannot do violence and am still suffering from the Little Bee beach scene. Another nightmare last night. Darn.. I never ever minded all of this until the accident. Amazing how trauma stays much longer than you think it does.
-
I read all of Little Bee a couple of months ago, and was following the discussion, but I've decided to "drop out", too. Just not really my cup of tea.
-
I know this question is WAAAY off topic, but does someone here remember a hint, whereby you can stretch a portion of a leather shoe/boot. Someone once told me to spray/rub something on the area and it would help it stretch.
-
Cant help on the stretching of leather, but I am sure someone else will remember.
I am still having fun with the What we Eat book.. Amazing the variance even in the US..
I am also reading.. The ??? of CeeCee Honeycutt.. Fun light read.
-
I remember something about using alcohol to stretch shoes. See the website below. Haven't tried it.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1480320/how_to_stretch_leather_shoes_pg2.html?cat=7
-
Thanks, I think that's it. I'll give it a try.
-
Tomreader some years ago I purchased a great product called Honey Leather or something close - it not only conditioned and protected leather but made it soft and supple - we were able to reclaim an old pair of my daughter's boots that were really scuffed up having been caked with everything at one time or another. A friend in Plano told me about it and if I remember I picked up a bottle in a Furniture store in Richardson which is up in your part of the state - Found it...LeatherHoney (http://www.leatherhoney.com/) - looks like the product is now available through Amazon.
Steph, CeeCee Honeycutt was on my list for awhile but I opted for a Fannie Flag book instead - she never disappoints and even Pat Conway says I Still Dream About You (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/09/AR2010110905604.html) is a laugh a minute with the most outrageously funny scene written when she is trying to avoid a traffic ticket. Of course the fact that the protagonist is a Real Estate agent in her mature years was a no brainier for me.
Cee Cee Honeycutt (http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com/2010/01/01/review-saving-ceecee-honeycutt/)sounds like I should still make room to read with my grandson down in Savannah and I love to break up what I read with a good laugh. I notice they are turning the book into a movie.
Well I am about ready - I knew it was too good to last - the abundant acorns and the very dark coat on the deer told a different story and so we are told we are in for a prolonged cold - for us going into single digits at night is unusual and dangerous - we will probably have pipes bursting all over town - this town is not built for cold and so pipes are exposed running under Condo carports and in un-heated attics - It starts tonight with temps in the 20s and just goes down hill from here for they say 2 weeks -
I've a pile of books - bags of fresh coffee having just returned from my daughter's where they sell marvelous flavored coffees - the 'Winter Blend' is to die for - all sorts of spices incorporated - ahhhh and I even have two stollen's in the freezer for my sweet tooth. This afternoon starting my big pot of chicken stew and another pot of chicken stock. I wrapped my pipes before I left at Christmas, I do have to cover a couple of the Yucca and then I am set.
-
I am enjoying CeeCee. They show the resilience of the southern ladies in many ways.. I love Fannie Flagg though and will put the new one on my tbr list.
It is still cool for central Florida.. I dont really mind, since it is not the brutal under freezing we had in December.
-
My area seems to have been fortunate so far. It's been fairly mild, esp. compared to what is
going on in Barb's area. But then, it's early January. I may yet discover this winter isn't going
to be all mild. January is usually the coldest month here.
Reading Mr. Grant,..he has moved on from the early Greek historians to the Romans. I'm
currently reading in the period that encompassed the turn from what is now BCE to CE.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Wow.. the east has had a snowy winter thus far.. Since I am going to NYC to the dog show in February, I will hope that this stuff will stop.
-
We are well and truly snowed in - five or more inches in our driveway. Neither of us able to shovel it. I will try to get our handy helper to come when he can get out or his driveway. Otherwise we will probably be here for the next few days.
-
We were snowed in yesterday, and probably will be tomorrow, too. Still cold with no sunshine to melt the stuff.
-
We are too. Probablly won't get out of our driveway until Thursday or Friday.
-
Where are you, ursamajor? Wish we could meet for lunch or something. I'd guess you're not anywhere near my neighborhood. ::)
-
Near Knoxville, Mary. I think you are near Chattanooga.
-
Well, gee - we're neighbors! Don't guess we'll be driving on I-75 for a while, though. John and Margaret (daughter) go to the Lady Vols games, but might not get up there on Saturday.
-
We're snowed in here too. I want to be able to get to the mailbox because I know there are 2 Netflix movies waiting. That is if they were delivered.
-
We (John) can get to the mailbox, but no delivery yesterday and none so far today.
-
I understand there was white up in the Dallas area and Lubbock had 6 inches according to my grands - so far no snow here but brrrr cold - we are deep into the very low 20s and maybe the teens tonight which means I need to get busy this afternoon - the sun came out today - and while it is still in the 40s get the plants in that north bed covered. Here I thought I was going to get all this reading done yesterday and instead I ended up spending hours mesmerized with one site after the other on the internet. Let's see if I can do better today.
-
Dallas (proper) didn't get that much in the way of snow. Tiny bit, some freezing rain and it all started off with big rain showers first. We had (N.E.Dallas) maybe l/2 inch to 1 inch snow. Did cover the roof tops, did not stick to all the grassy areas, didn't even stay on the patio or driveway. However, if you went 45 mile east to Greenville or Sulphur Springs you would have found 3 to 4 inches or more. They had a "white up". Played heck with the traffic here though. Those High 5's and overpasses. Temp is about 31 degrees, and my heat keeps coming on, and have it set pretty low. I have my three layers of clothing on!
-
Barb great to see you here, I am going to put some of the books you reccomended on my list.
Its cold here and were supposed to have snow this afternoon. It will probably be one on Seattle's big little deals. They have been talking about this storm for days. Interesting that there is supposed to be snow this afternoon and about midnight warm air comes and snow's gone.
God knows how much money they have spent for their 4 hour snow storm. We shall see.
-
It has been snowing for a couple of hours here. We are to get 3-6 inches by morning. Not a surprising start for my first day of this new semester, after all, it is Farm Show Week.
-
Right! Frybabe, always snows in Farm Show week for as long as i can remember. When it doesn't it becomes a topic of conversation........only Pa people connected to the farming community wld understand.......jean
-
No snow , thank heaven in Florida, but it is supposed to be very very cold for us and probably freezing tonight. Brr.
A good friends husband died on MOnday and I have plans to go and see her today. We knew it was coming, but she is late 70's. This was a second marriage, but it was 26 years, so long term as well.
-
Answering someones query.. What I eat, Around the world in 80 days. Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluiio
97 Orchard Jane Ziegelman and As Always Julia, The letters of Julia Child and Avis Devoto. All were Christmas presents and I love all three
-
We've always been real lucky. We live just below the Finger Lakes which seems to be protected no matter which way the storm is coming. We don't even get the lake effect snow the I-90 corridor gets. We have 4" on the ground but it's come in several snow "storms".
Tonight we're predicted to get a bit more, but nothing much to shovel. Very strange weather. Well, not for the climate change we're going through. More violent weather should be expected as the glaciers melt.
-
It's continued to be cold so the houses in our town-many colonials and victorians - look like Christmas cards, the snow is still on the roofs and the shrubbery and some C-mas lights and wreaths are still up. The kids have been sledding all week on a long, long hill, a piece of property the owner sold to the twp about ten yrs ago for $1. People have been sledding on the hill for eons. It was a prime piece of property right in the center of Main St, so it was a very generous gift to the town and all the "children" in it......jean
-
We're supposed to have some weather in high 60s and low 70s next week and I am looking forward to it. We have been having some unusually cold weather lately. But it's better than the cold weather we had when we lived near Chicago. BRRR!
-
I am bit further south Jean and central Florida is warming up.. Still very chilly first thing in the morning however.
Years ago I read a book (over and over) called "The Cheerleader" by Ruth Doan McDougal. Having been a child of the 50's, the book rang all sorts of bells and I have kept it ever since and loved it. This months Bookmarks mentioned it in the article and said there was a sequel " Snowy" and I bought it and am deep in memories as
Snowy works her way through her life and rings life bells for me like crazy. Amazing how some books just ring deep in you.
-
I kept reading and reading - didn't pay attention and read all night long finishing the wonderful Fannie Flag - I Still Dream About You - I loved it - so many of the small changes in life were brought up so that I felt like I was in the story as exasperated as the characters, adding to the comments, while we, in our mature years still hang on to the manners that meant so much only a few years ago. You could see the end coming but there was enough surprise along the way and some wonderful characters - this is one of her better stories.
Finished CeeCee Honeycutt the other day and felt mixed about it - It was choppy with one incident after the other but not smooth and the story was like someone writing 'about' the south - even getting a few small things wrong that is a bit jarring like calling cloth shoes sneakers instead of tennis shoes or even tennies. Where as, I still Dream About You is written 'from' the south - not only spot-on but a smooth story that easily slides from one funny incident to another.
Well I am off for a couple of hour nap - I will simply postpone my shopping till after lunch - and I can nap in peace knowing the lovely Maggie, icon of gracious living and community service is in her historically preserved house on the hill built in Birmingham Alabama by the Scottish Iron, coal and steel tycoon who as a child lived in a shanty outside the coal mine in Scotland that he and his family worked and where generations before the family was collared as serfs to the mines.
-
Barb, I just finished "I Still Dream About You", also - and loved it! Just before this one, I had read "The Girl Who Played With Fire" - and I really really really needed something light and happy!
-
Barb and Callie, I read "I still Dream of You." I had mixed feelings about it...I would get tired of the Miss Alabama thing...Of course...I live On the other side of Birmingham from the area that this book was describing...Oh well..My Brother said he really enjoyed the book too...So I guess it is just me...I would recommend to anyone who is not a native of Birmingham, Alabama..
I usually enjoy Fannie Flag's novels but sometimes I get sorta bogged down in them but they usually come out being very funny...Joan Grimes
-
I haven't read any of Fannie Flagg's novels, altho' I've seen a couple of movies made from her books, i.e. Fried Green Tomatoes, etc. that were good. I like to watch her on the old 1970's game show, Match Game. She's funny. I always thought it odd that being a writer, she was such a terrible speller (the panelists on the show had to display their written answers). I just read in Wikipedia that she was severely dyslexic and for this reason she had a hard time spelling which embarrassed her. Per Wikipedia, she admits to being lesbian which I also had not known (not that it's really any of my business).
Marj
-
Joan, I understand your feelings! I get more than a little tired of the southern women stereotyping in so many books. However, I have known enough who fit the pattern to get a bit of a chuckle from it, too.
-
I like Fannie Flagg and have the newest on my tbr list. CeeCee.. this was a first novel and as such I think she did an ok job. You are right though. At that period, they were tennies, but in the 50's we wore Penny loafers most of the time.Tennies were not for everyday wear.
-
complete change of pace - was I surprised - I ordered a few books from Amazon that arrived today and the one I knew nothing about but the write up and title intrigued me - well I opened the book late this afternoon to get a gist by reading the first page and I could not put it down -
The Language of Trees: A Novel (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061898643/ref=ox_ya_os_product)
It is a magical story taking place in the Finger Lake region of New York State - some of the characters are Seneca with locals who have lived in the forest and have supported each other through life's trials from taking in a child who is either a 5th or 6th cousin because of the death of her parents to the drowning of a young boy whose spirit leaves paper airplanes in the garden and windowbox of one of the women. He died when with his two sisters they paddled across the lake to escape the drunken rage of a father during a Spring storm - then there is a lovely man, a school teacher who changed the lives of some difficult children and now is trying to come to terms with his wife leaving - it all sounds so melodramatic with these sad tales of woe but instead it is a wonderful poetic read of folks who care about each other along with some mystical and mysterious happenings that are written as the sprite world of the Seneca active in the land and their lives.
The author writes like a non-rhyming poem that I cannot put down - the language of trees is that trees are filled with faith since they remain forever where their roots run deep in that one chosen place - I imagine the end of the book will wrap up the importance of how the faith of trees relates or is valuable to our lives.
-
Sounds like a lovely lovely book. I finished Snowy yesterday.. Not quite as good as the Cheerleader ( snowy when she was young), but still rang some deep gongs of familiarity. That is Ruth Doan MacDougals specialty.. If you were a teen in the 50's and a young mother in the 60's in the east, she will chime bells in your heart.
-
I remember someone recommending "The Language of Trees" quite a
while back, BARB. I wanted to try it then, but couldn't find it.
Thanks for the reminder; I'll see if I can find it now.
-
I was a teen in the (early) 50s and a young mother in the 60s so I will have to look for those MacDougal books. Right now I am finishing Stones into Schools.
-
Miles and I are deep into adventure. He now seems to have a clone.. Hmm.. Lois McMaster BuJold makes life fun.
-
Indeed she does. I do hope she is writing some new books. I'm
hungry for more of her particular genius.
-
Barb- who is the author of The Language of Trees? Thanks.
-
Alf - the author is Ilie Ruby - here again is the link to the book as sold by Amazon where they have a write up that may be helpful The Language of Trees (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061898643/ref=ox_ya_os_product)
-
Thanks Barb, the review sounds enticing. I appreciate it.
Andy
-
I saw where Little Bees authors first book is now in paperback here. I suspect from the popularity to Little Bee.
-
Yes, Steph, I would imagine that is why it's in paperback now. I'm sorry that you found it too difficult to stay with us but we will meet again under better circumstances in the next book, I hope. :-*
-
Oh Andy, I simply cannot do violence since the accident. It causes nightmares again and flashbacks.. I wish it would go away, but it has not, so I deal as best I can. I am sure I will join other discussions.
What I eat is such a great book. The pictures are glorious and the people interesting.. It is amazing how different the food that we eat is.
-
Steph - that book sounds so fascinating. The Nigerian short stories that I mentioned on the Little Bee page have quite a lot of snippets about Nigerian food and eating customs - eating from the same bowl, drinking a locally brewed gin (the downfall of many, apparently), etc - very interesting. I always like the details about what people eat - that's why I like Donna Leon's books. Barbara Pym was also a great describer of food (usually as a social marker - Miss Lord with her "egg on Welsh", Adam Prince with his ridiculous food snobbery). Even Enid Blyton always made sure you knew what the Famous Five were having for their picnics, and the thing I remember most of all about reading "What Katy Did" is tuck box when she went to school :)
Rosemary
-
I understand 100% Steph and look forward to our discussing a book together down the line.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
FlaJean, did you read Three Cups of Tea? If so, how does Stones into Schools compare with it? I loved Three Cups of Tea and now have Stones into Schools on my ipod. I haven't started it yet.
Nancy
-
Steph, I understand. One chapter in the book literally gave me nightmares. I did finish Little Bee, but read it during the day. I wish we had chosen a book that was not so depressing for our Jan. book. After the "upbeat" of Christmas, it's sort of a bummer to read a depressing book. Now, my ftf reading group is reading Sarah's Key for Feb. It's a good book, but also depressing. Ah me....Even though it has been 2 1/2 yrs since my husband died; I still fight periodic spells of depression. I really don't need books that depress me. I am trying to off set these books with light upbeat feel good books. I just finished Swimming Lessons by Mary Alice Monroe. It takes place on the beach outside of Charleston and is about the nesting period of the sea turtles and the caring of those that are injured. I really enjoyed being taken back to the seaside and swimming with the turtles!
Sally
-
Salan I am so glad you enjoyed Mary Alice Monroe's book about the sea turtles.
Our book group went to The Isle of Palam's a few years ago and Mary Alice was our author. She is a wonderful person and a moving force trying to save the turtles in that area.
-
Wow would you believe the author's now are using YouTube to read an excerpt of their books and to give interviews - here is a nice interview with the author of Major Pettigrew - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBXWrGciEPM
-
I agree, I rarely read a depressing book - I admit I look for escapism in my reading, so I knew Little Bee would be hard work. I have never even read Black Beauty in case the horse died! Like many of us, I suppose, I am fine reading murder mysteries teeming with deaths because they don't seem real, it's just a puzzle with local colour, but other sorts of deaths and violence - no.
Having now read Little Bee twice, my immediate TBR pile consists of Major Pettigrew, Debbie Macomber, Jennifer Chiaverini, Celia Brayfield ("How to Write A Bestseller" - I live in hope) and "Brought to Book" by Ian Norrie - the latter I picked up at the library, it says it's "A Tale of Lust, Cunning and Deceit in the Book Trade" - the author ran a famous book shop in Hampstead (North London) for many years. I know nothing about him or the book but it looked quite interesting.
It's now only 25 days till we move out of our house - and only 32 days till my daughter's 16th birthday - so I am going to need to read "comfortable" books to get me through the next month or so. However, I am seriously counting my blessings, as husband has been told by doctor that the weird mole on his back is not melanoma (of course he,ever the optimist, never thought it was, whereas I was already there...) but a simple infection. Also, on my son's ski-ing trip two members of their party accidentally collided with one another last week, and one has been seriously injured and is still in hospital in Switzerland. We are all praying for the poor girl and her family, and I have to admit we are probably all also thinking, that could have been my child. Anyone who has any spare thoughts/prayers, please think/pray them for this girl - my son's very intermittent communication with us suggests that things are not looking good.
Thanks,
Rosemary
-
What I eat shows pictures of the person and many times, another page with their family or what they do for a living.. Then a picture of one days worth of food with descriptions, etc. So neat.
I am deliberately not rushing through it, but doing a few pages each day. Sort of providing a treat of a different type.. Now if I could just cut out any treats that actually go in my mouth, I would be happy.
-
ROSEMARY, it's always such a pity to see a young life endangered. One can't help but think how one would feel if it was 'my child'. I'm always willing to stop and pray for their recovery.
-
Nancy, I enjoyed both books, but Three Cups of Tea most.
-
I finished Touching Stars by Emilie Richards. This is the third book of hers that I've read and have liked each one. The other two were The Parting Glass and Prospect Street which i liked the best of the three. Her characters seem real with real lives and she writes a lot of their psychological thinking which also seems real and makes sense to me. Again, if any of you are quilters, or just like quilts, there is an underlying story abt quilts. The protagonist owns a B and B in Virginia and uses a variety of quilts w/ star patterns to decorate "The Daughter of the Stars" bed and breakfast. An interesting twist is that Gayle, the protagonist, can't make neat stitches to save her soul, but one of her teen-age sons can and adds quilting to his artistic resume and teaches his estranged father. There's also an archeologic story, but it's very superficial. It is 500+ pages so she has a lot of time to have the characters develop and work thru their issues........the summary of the story, as i mentioned in a previous post, is that Gayle's network reporter husband was captured in Afghanistan, escaped, but needed extensive
recuperation. Even tho Gayle and Eric have been divorced for 12 yrs, he asked if he could
come to the B and B for awhile. He hasn't been much of a father, so the 3 sons have
3different responses to his being there.
I see thar Richards is a quilter and has at least three non-fiction books on quilting.
A good read, imo..........jean
-
Whereas I loved Stones Into Schools even more than Three Cups of Tea! We are each of us different from the others of us. Nice!
-
I finished The Corner of Bitter and Sweet. What a lovely book. It has been my bed book for the past week and I did like it very much. Never really had thought of the strain between Japanese and Chinese.. I should have since my older sons best friend is Japanese American,, Hawaii for at least three generations, but I know that he speaks of different orientals a lot differently than we do.
I know from owning the book store that latins are quite harsh with one another.. and even worse about Indians ( not our Indians, theres)
-
Rosemary Kaye - my thoughts are with you and the families of the injured young skiers. We can only hope that they have a speedy recovery.
-
Thanks Babi and Roshanarose - I heard from Freddie tonight and he says Kirsty has slightly opened her eyes today, so that is progress of some sort. Her parents are out there and thinking of moving her back to a hospital in Scotland. We all really appreciate your thoughts.
Rosemary
-
Oh Rosemary that is a parent's worst nightmare. That is the beauty of prayer- it is far reaching and no one should ever be short on their prayer list.
I just finished Laura Lippman's new novel I'd Know you Anywhere.
I have never read anything of hers and this novel was recommended. Why, I don't know. It was alright but shallow. I didn't care for it.
-
L ippman is a yes and no sort of writer. Some of her stuff is really fun. MOstly her series on Tess.. But some of the stand alones are good and others not.. Harlen Coben is the same way..I love his series,but not many of his standalones.
-
A few nights ago I watched Tavis Smiley interview Kim Edwards. She wrote "The Memory Keeper's Daughter". I read that book. Now, I am reading her second book: "The Lake of Dreams". I am really enjoying it. Do not want to put it down, so it is really holding my interest.
Sheila
-
Reading My Sister, My Love.. One of those female writers with three names. Joyce Carol Oates.. She loves to take a current thing and change it into her version..This one is a alternate sort of story about the little girl who was murdered in her own home out in Colorado years ago. She was a beauty queen and the family was suspected..Interesting take on the story. She makes the brother the narrator.
-
I sympathize with the family's desire to bring Kirsty home, ROSEMARY.
I do hope they will be advised by the doctors on that, tho'. With
serious injuries, moving a patient too soon can be very risky. Please
do keep us informed.
-
Thanks Babi - I will certainly keep you informed, though unfortunately I haven't heard from my son since Wednesday - his internet access is limited out there. Our church here is being very supportive and there are a lot of people praying for Kirsty, and for the whole group. I know what you mean about moving people - I'm sure Kirsty's parents will take the doctors' advice, but I wondered if it was something to do with cost - they are all insured under a block policy, but maybe it has a limit? I don't know (I know I should, but all I checked was that they were insured).
I'll let you know when I have any further news, and again, thanks for the interest and support.
Rosemary
-
I finished Sarah's Key for my ftf reading group. It was a good book, but depressing. I also finished Little Bee--also depressing. Then I checked out and read Room--another depressing book! Help!! Someone please recommend something light, humorous and cosy. I am so ready for a pleasant read.
Sally
-
I got a kick out of "I Still Dream About You: A Novel" by Fannie Flagg
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400065933/ref=oss_product
I just started tonight "Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter: A Novel" by Lisa Patton
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312658893/ref=oss_product
"The Olive Farm" by Carol Drinkwater was charming - sold out so you have to buy a used copy
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0752877623/ref=oss_product
of course crazy Agatha Raisin never disappoints
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312387008/ref=oss_product
And I found this author to be a lovely gentle look at life and growing things and the land and how it all relates to our life - just lovely - another sold out book that you have to order used.
"Four Seasons in Five Senses: Things Worth Savoring" by David Mas Masumoto
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393019608/ref=oss_product
I read Cee Cee Honeycutt but I was sorely disappointed - it was a Northerner's view of Savannah - somethings they got right but a whole lot they did not understand either the South or Savannah.
-
Salan - one of my friends has been trying to get me to read Room, but I really cannot face it. Here are some of my "happy" books:
Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day - Winifred Watson (about a downtrodden governess who has a life-changing adventure)
The Fortnight in September - RC Sherriff (the story of a London family's annual holiday at the seaside - beautifully told)
The Bransoms - Angela Thirkell (life in a country village, pre-war - the Bransoms are the fairly affluent local family, there are lots of other characters, and it's all very amusing)
Miss Buncle's Book - DE Stevenson (cash-strapped spinster in small village decides to write a book, with unpredicted consequences)
The Wind In The Willows - Kenneth Grahame (one of my all time best escapes, I think this book has everything; it's funny, it's a bit scary, and most of all its descriptions are lyrical)
Summer's Lease - John Mortimer (typical London upper middle class family - present day this time - take a villa in Tuscany - very funny but also has a mystery plot. John Mortimer is great at keeping you turning the pages. He wrote (amongst 100s of other things) the Rumpole books (he also adapted Brideshead for TV).
The Treasure Seekers - EE Nesbit (one of my favourite children's books - children in 1930s London set out to try to make some money for their hard up father. Very funny and also a lovely depiction of life at that time.)
I Capture The Castle - Dodie Smith (I think I've mentioned this before. It's what seems to be called a "coming of age novel" - it's about Cassandra Mortmain and her family, who live in a semi-derelict castle, and the love affairs that she and her beautiful sister Rose have when two rich Americans appear on the scene.)
Harriet - Jilly Cooper (J Cooper's first novel in a string of books with girls' names as the titles. It's a simple tale of a girl who is betrayed in love, goes to work for a rich widower, falls in love with him, etc - but Cooper writes so well, and has the nuances of the upper classes down to such a tee (she is very posh herself but said to be extremely nice), that this book is way above most stuff of this kind. My daughter and I absolutely love it.)
Mrs Harris Goes to Paris - Paul Gallico (charwoman in 1950s London (yes that again!) dreams of going to Paris to buy herself a couture dress. How she manages it and what happens when she gets there is told in this beautifully written little book.)
I can guarantee that they are all (IMO) lovely reads and have happy endings - no violence. I realised as I listed them that many are set in the 1950s - I don't suppose life was really better then, but at least these writers don't seem quite so determined to make us miserable.
Rosemary
-
I loved ,, "I Capture the Castle". So much fun and yes it is a coming of age book in some ways.
If you have not read them pick up one of the Stephanie Plum Books written by Janet Evanovich.. They are all numbered,, but any of them will make you laugh.. If you ever lived anywhere near North Jersey, you will also keep nodding your head, going..yeah,, yeah, I remember that.
-
Thanks, Barb and Rosemary, for a lovely list of books! I need a couple
of light ones to balance my current 'heavy' reading.
-
Sally, another to put you in a good mood -- Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett, a novella detailing the reading growth of the Queen. Then follow that up by watching the film The Queen.
Rosemary, I'm with you on The Room. I tried it for an afternoon, but it was too disturbing for me, and I didn't finish it.
-
I loved "Mrs Harris goes to Paris"..
Also loved " An Uncommon Reader"
Joan Grimes
-
I am now reading Language of Trees Sally. It is a delightful little book. As in life, there is sadness is our character's lifes but love prevails. the tress actually came alive for me reading this. They hold our roots, our memories and our thoughts. I love this story.
Thank you all for the offerings above. Some I have read, some I have heard about and there are others I have never read nor heard about. The Olive Farm by Drinkwater- now that sounds interesting Rosemary.
I recently read Major Pettigrew book now I can try a Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.
I echo your distaste for Room ladies. Most plots do not bother me but that is one nasty angle for a book.
-
Pedln - I love The Uncommon Reader" - I'd forgotten about that. I think Alan Bennett is a genius. I sent this book to my mother, who doesn't often share my tastes, but she loved it too.
Andrea - Isn't it funny how such an unusual sounding name has cropped up three times (to my knowledge) in recent literature? (I suppose Miss Pettigrew is not exactly recent, but it was "rediscovered" quite recently by Persephone Books, and is now one of their most popular reprints). The third one I am thinking of is "Singing for Mrs Pettigrew" by Michael Morpurgo. He is a children's writer (a former "children's laureate") and has produced dozens of books - they are v popular with teachers but I have to say none of my children could stand them. "Singing For Miss Pettigrew" is, however, a sort of autobiography interspersed with short stories, and I really enjoyed it.
Joan - you are the only other person I have met who has read Mrs Harris! I have just picked up "Mrs Harris Goes to New York" in a charity shop - haven't read that one yet. Paul Gallico was a wonderful writer.
Rosemary
-
Alf what are you up to in Language of Trees - what a poetic book - I would say lyrical that borders on myth - did you get to the part where he heals the wolf - and I love how he understands the meaning behind the fight in the bar - how people let off steam for various reasons and to be able to read those reasons to know how serious to take their actions - wow...so many good kind people in this story who are ready to take on others in need...
-
rosemary I treated myself and ordered Miss Buncle's Book by DE Stevenson - sure hard to find and I did not want the large print hardback but I successfully found a used copy that is supposed to be in almost new condition for $18 something plus shipping - this book is available resale for as much as $118 - whew - the ink must have gold dust in it ;) :D it appears this book was first published between the wars so it must really have the flavor of the England [or does it take place in Scotland - forget which] so many of us like to think is the real England just like we like to think we are still small town America as in the 1950s.
There was a movie on the story line of Mrs. Pettigrew - she comes to the wrong house and is a plan girl who stays and becomes the private secretary for the woman who lives this glamorous life - I can see the girl but cannot remember who played the parts or the name of the movie and then I think fairly recently they actually made a movie using the title of the book and she is a governess that was fired that hooks up with an actress who lives a glamorous life - I did not see it but remember it advertised - and wasn't the Mrs. Harris story a TV special or maybe it was also a movie where she saved her money for years and buys this glamorous dress in Paris.
Interesting what we buy - was reading in something recently how we buy things not for their usefulness but we buy the lifestyle that we think is part of owning the 'thing' and that before WWII we look forward to purchasing to satisfy comfort - a chicken in every pot as Hoover said, a home that was adequate to make us feel safe and comfortable, enough food etc. etc. where as after WWII we purchased to satisfy a desire - interesting how reaching for desire made a huge impact on social change as folks desired equality and freedom and, and, and....
-
Joan - you are the only other person I have met who has read Mrs Harris! I have just picked up "Mrs Harris Goes to New York" in a charity shop - haven't read that one yet. Paul Gallico was a wonderful writer.
Rosemary - well you just met another - me! I have several of Gallico's novels on my shelves - Snowgoose (of course!) Snowflake, A couple of the Mrs Harris ones, Love of Seven Dolls, Poseidon Adventure etc. He's probably an underrated writer and did himself a disservice by claiming that he wasn't at all 'literary' - he was probably right but critics take that sort of comment far too seriously. Certainly most of his work that I've read has a sentimentality about it but it also has an element of the tragic which is not always present alongside the sentimental. And at times his prose is simply lyrical.
-
Gumtree - that is great, I'm always thrilled to find that someone likes the old books that I enjoy (so many people look at me as if I am mad and say "What?")
Barb - the film of Miss Pettigrew was not, IMO, very good - the book is much much better. Anna (my daughter) did, however, enjoy the film much more than I did. I hope you enjoy Miss Buncle - I'm sorry you had to pay so much for it because I would gladly have sent you my copy. I still see it occasionally in charity shops, etc here.
I think that many people now buy to satisfy a desire they do not understand, which is a desire to fill the vacuum in their lives - we are encouraged by advertising that gets cleverer every day to buy things to fill the void in our lives, and of course it is never filled, so we keep on buying. I think I must be stuck in a time warp (my family would be delighted to agree with that one) as I think I still buy for comfort - hence the acquisition of old novels and children's books. I also love "comfort food" - potatoes, chicken, stew, that kind of thing. I am just not interested in clothes shopping, having the smartest house, etc, although I do have places I would like to live - eg with a sea or lake view.
My neighbour and I were having a discussion about expensive underwear the other day - she said that if she has very beautiful underwear on it gives her confidence to deal with her job (incidentally, she is a consultant psychiatrist, not a stripper!!); this is not something that works for me, but my daughter said she agreed. Similarly, neighbour likes to have the best and most expensive boots to go dog walking, whereas I would think "they're only going to get messed up so I'll get basic ones from B & Q". Surprisingly, despite this, we are great friends!
R
-
I think one of the Mrs. Harris movies was made for TV, and starred Angela Lansbury!
-
I also enjoyed "Mrs Harris Goes To Paris" and think it's the one made for t v and starred Angela Lansbury.
I really liked "An Uncommon Reader" but had to do a wee bit of convincing myself that Queen Elizabeth II might really behave that way.
How about a sequel in which Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day when she might encounter Major Pettigrew's Last Stand?
O.K., Callie - go sit in the corner until you can behave!! :D
-
Rosemary, Gum and others.
I, too, love Paul Gallico. My favourites are "Jennie", "Love, Let me not Hunger" and my absolute favourite "The Hand of Mary Constable" which I read as an impressionable young thing. I am right now going to check and see if he is available in ebook.
Another thing - I didn't know that Gallico wrote "The Poseidon Adventure". This book / then film is most likely the one that kep him afloat financially. No pun intended ;)
HaHa - cute Callie!
-
Finished reading John Jakes' "The Bastard", a seond reading after about 25 yrs. Didn't remember a thing abt the story. It's a good historical novel. I'm going to continue thru the series. I've read some of the rest of the series, but i don't remember those either, altho i might when i begin to read them.
I tried to read Fannie Flag's Daisey Fay and the Miracle Man, but i'm on pg 40 and it hasn't grabbed me yet. It hasn't gotten a narrative going yet, just choppy pieces, like a diary. I also was looking for some light reading. I'll obviously have to go to your recommendations, ;) thanks for all those suggestions........jean
-
Thanks for all your suggestions. I have read most of what you recommended, Barb (we do like books with a southern theme, don't we?) I've also read and enjoyed most of Evanovich's books. I have put some of the others on my list. Our library doesn't have many of the older books, so I will look for used copies on Amazon. I did pick up Kate Morton's latest-The Distant Hours. I really enjoyed The Forgotten Garden (which was her second book) and am hoping this latest is as good.
Isn't it funny how our minds frequently seem to be on the same track? I watched the movie, I Capture the Castle a couple of days ago, and here it is mentioned twice in book form.
Off to read and hope it puts me back to sleep, again. It's been one of those up and down nights.
Sally
-
Another Gallico fan.. At least I was. Have not read anything of his for years now. A light very funny read.. Donna Andrews writes a series on Meg,, who is a blacksmith with a lovely husband she acquires in the books and a really funny family..
Yes, i find that I have far too many tbr books, and keep buying more. I realized when Iwas reading our posts, that this is a comfort factor for me. with MDH dead, I use the books as armor against the lonliness. Ah well, better than alcohol..
I grew up in the 50's outside of a teeny little town of 500.. We had a bank, a tiny little grocery store with all sorts of local produce, hand cut meat and home made goodies..a little luncheonette and a railroad station where no train stopped.. I realized later that it was a wonderful way to live, but when I was in college, all I wanted was to get away.. Which I did. Now as a widow, I would love to go back to that time.. Not going to happen, but nice to think about.
-
I loved everything D.E. Stevenson ever wrote! The D.E. stands for Dorothy Emily and her married name was Peploe. She was first cousin once removed to Robert Louis Stevenson and was Scottish. She wrote dozens and dozens of light romances; cozy cottage type. Very warm and very full of what it is to be a human being. If you want something warm and fuzzy, she's your girl!
-
mabel- That John Jakes Series still remains my all time favorite series. I, too, reread the first 4 of them last year after a 25+ year span. My daughter has the entire collection.
Yes Barb, I did get to the part where he heals the wolf with his touch. I love all of the folklore, mystic and beliefs based on the Indians of this area. I love that the author used the analogy of the trees with mankind; the importance of roots, care, configuration and the memories that the trees and we hold. It's a wonderfully written story and I am a fan. I must check to see what else this guy has written. I have considered it for a "discussion" but I am only half way through it-- so, we'll see. Don't you think it would make a meaty discussion?
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
MaryPage, I agree - I love DE Stevenson. I have read quite a few of her Mrs Tim books and also Katherine Wentworth. I first read her because someone in the B Pym society suggested that she wrote similar books - in fact I don't think she does at all, but I like them very much.
I can't remember if I mentioned before that I went to a tea arranged by Persephone Books last summer in Edinburgh? It was at one of my favourite cafes, Annabelle's in Sciennes Road, and the speaker was DE Stevenson's (?great) granddaughter. She was lovely and told us all sorts of anecdotes about DES - including the fact that she was quite intimidating and used to dictate her novels whilst lying on a chaise longue smoking exotic cigarettes in a cigarette holder.
The other people there had come from far and wide - there were a group of ladies from somewhere in the US doing a DE Stevenson tour, and the woman sitting next to me had come from one of the more remote Scottish islands just for this event. Annabelle's provided the most delicious scones, jam and meringues. It was a glorious summer's day, and afterwards I walked back across The Meadows into town, and felt that there could be few afternoons as perfect as this one.
Rosemary
-
D.E. Stevenson sounds like Miss Read - another favorite who writes about English villages and cottages.
Alf it would be some discussion wouldn't it - lots of heavy topics to chew on - but the mystical overlay is just glorious - I was reading so many Native American authors back a few years ago and learned that the Native American story blends the past, present and future as one so that it can take a minute while reading to even realize that to us that would be the past or the future -
I am noticing the sooty footprints as the past made part of the present but more the author has a way of viewing creation and life as an attachment to the land and the natural cycle of life is related to the unseen wheel of life that holds this story together - it is just such a lovely read - it has been a long time since I want to linger over every page rather than rush to see what happens next or how does this fit the question in my head - even more so than reading N. Scott Momaday or Leslie Marmon Silko - the story telling almost reminds me more of the poet Joy Harjo.
With quotes from Joy Harjo like these -
"But I imagined her like this, not a stained red dress with tape on her heels but the deer who entered our dream in white dawn, breathed mist into pine trees, her fawn a blessing of meat, the ancestors who never left."
"She had horses who liked Creek Stomp Dance songs. She had horses who cried in their beer. She had horses who spit at male queens who made them afraid of themselves. She had horses who said they weren't afraid. She had horses who lied. She had horses who told the truth, who were stripped bare of their tongues."
"All acts of kindness are lights in the war for justice."
-
Too mystical for me I am afraid. I gave up on the Joyce Carol Oates. She does go on and on.. and I was not in the mood for that type of book.. I picked up The Palace Diaries, which someone here recommended. I am not too far. She is a bit full of herself at this point, but hopefully it will improve.
-
Do not care for the mystical, either; but sure do love Miss Read and Dorothy Emily Stevenson! Both very simple, a thing is a thing is a thing writers. Each owns a sense of what is lovely, both to look at and to think on.
Never thought before about these two authoring similar books. Guess, in a way, that is true. But each pen speaks with its own sounds and colors. Stevenson is much more complex than Miss Read. Miss Read is much more poetical than Stevenson. Both are great on romance. No, not the bodice-ripping, sex-ridden horrors filling the shelves under "Romance" here in the States these days. None of that from these ladies!
-
The beauty of this novel is the way the author weaves the Indian mystique into the lives of our characters. I loved it as well Barb and agree with you about the lingering on the pages. It's one of those books that make you smile as you soak up the words and ponder life. Great book!!! The image and characteristics of the trees and the solidarity of a triangle are blended in each chapter.
-
viewing creation and life as an attachment to the land and the natural cycle of life
Don't you find that true for many peoples and cultures that live close to the land? Native American, African, ..even the generations of farmers that lived on the land. I particularly see
that view in the Navajo religion and culture, but that may be because I've read more about
them than any of the others.
-
Hmm, I live in Florida and the only thing our Indians seem able to accomplish is casinos, alligator wrestling and not obeying Florida laws.. The current chief married an anglo , had two children, divorced and now refuses to pay child support. Says Indian law does not make him. So I dont think he is particularly close to nature,but really close to money.
-
Ouch Steph - I guess every culture has those who live on the dark side from the Irish to the South African. If your chief of police is Seminole the tribe has an interesting history having been a part of the Creek nation and escaped into the Everglades during the Red Stick wars and to escape the Trail of Tears. Fascinating the Creek nation had red villages and white villages - the white Village was a peace village and regardless your anger or crime if you were in the white Village no one could or would touch you where as, the red villages were all about war and where the warriors for the Creeks lived and trained.
-
Alligator wrestling? What on earth is that and why is it allowed?
There is a similar issue here with gypsies/travellers. They say they cannot have toilets in their vans because their culture sees it as unhygienic. One of Madeleine's friends lives on farm, and at one point some travellers pitched up there. Her father (who is a really nice man) said the detritus they left behind for him to clean up was appalling. On the one hand, the gypsies are certainly persecuted and villified in this country, but on the other, they do sometimes seem to bring some of it on themselves.
R
-
Barb I had sooooooo much fun when I clicked on the url you put up of good books. On the books from people who had already read that books were pages and pages of books that looked just like plain fun. On each title I clicked on Kindle books and they were all there on the kindle. Thanks much.
-
Alligator wrestling.. It is a sport for tourist to watch. There are tricks to it, I am sure, but they wrestle a medium size alligator and sometimes have the marks to prove it.
Seminoles.. used to be a proud tribe who retreated to the everglades and lived then as one with nature. Now.. not so much.. Casinos have changed the way they live and the way they have become political.
There is also a smaller tribe down here, but darned if I can remember the name..
Still reading the Palace Diary.. Some is fun.. some is gossip.. and some is sort of sad.
-
Steph and Rosemary- Alligator wrestling, cock fighting, dog fighting (thank you Michael Vick) are just proof that "you can't fix stupid."
The big shots get into the circle of other "idiots" and try to show their prowess against the animals. It tends to make you cheer on the animal- not the fool. ::)
-
Cock fighting is beginning to pop up here in central Florida. We are told by certain latinos, it is part of their culture.. My answer is pick on something your own size.. But no... they do that too.. It is like drag racing on major roads inOrlando. Dangerous beyond belief..but it is happening and it is so hard to catch them. Just recently one of the maniacs who killed another kid with a car when drag racing got off. Noone would testify.. That is sad..
-
ALF: HEAR! HEAR!
-
Still sloging through the Palace Diaries. I like it, but h ave changed it to my bed book since it is slow going with all of the enthusiasm.. I am up to the breakup of the royal couples and the first siting of Camilla..
-
I, too, have just plodded thru one Steph, The Fall of the House of Walworth a crazy true story of murder in Saratoga Springs, NY (where my daughters both live) in the 19th century. Blah-blah. I bought it with the hope that it would include more the history of the town than it did. Oh well.
I just downloaded The Apothecary's Daughter and Deadly Sanctuary on my Nook.
I am reading a witty and zany story, Are you there, Vodka, by Chelsea Handler and yesterday I picked up cassette tapes of The Olive Tree (someone here recommended it.) Now if I could get a minute today I would start to enjoy one of these choices.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GINNY!
-
I Read "The Apothecary's Daughter" on my Kindle... I enjoyed the book..
Joan Grimes
-
Read a new author for me.. Beverly Lewis. She writes about the Amish with gentle reminders of their life. A bit too "Oh how wonderful to live with no electricity, etc" but the story was nice..Not an author I will keep reading however. If you want to know about the lifestyle of the Pennsylvania Dutch,, this is a good and accurate depiction.
-
I picked up an early 'Deborah Knott' at the library yesterday, started
reading it, and realized I already had. I really need to ask my librarian
how I can access the list of books I've already checked out previously.
(sigh
-
Most libraries don't keep such a list. Then if the FBI wants to know if you've been reading about how to build a bomb they can't divulge the information because they don't have it. Privacy issue.
Let me know if your library does keep a list.
-
Our libraries definitely keep such lists. Sometimes when I have been borrowing books for Madeleine, I have mentioned to the children's librarian that I'm not sure whether or not she's had them out before, and she's been able to check - I find it quite handy.
By the way - to whoever recommended the Lois Lowry book "The Giver" for Madeleine, I got it from the library and she really enjoyed it - thanks.
Rosemary
-
Thanks JoanG. I hope that I too will enjoy the Apothacary's Daughter. As soon as I finish 3 Seconds I will start that one.
-
I was considering downloading The Apothecaries Daughter, Tell me if it is worth it.
-
Well I haven't read it but it's still free for the Kindle on Amazon. So you really can't go wrong for that price.
-
URSA, when you sign up for a card at my library, you are offered
the option of having a list kept of the books you check out. I
asked for it, but I haven't used it so far. I'm just assuming it's
still there. I hope so; It's annoying to trot home with your
priZes and discover you've already read one.
-
I'm reading "Empire of the Summer Moon" by S.C. Gwynne with the reading group here. What an awesome book. If you want to know more about the Plains Indians, this is the book to read. Caution, it is pretty graphic. What they do to their white captives is not pretty.
But as far as I know, the fact are accurate.
-
Steph...I did enjoy "The Apothecaries Daughter"... It has been several months since I read it... I usually enjoy books set in England...I wish I could tell you more about it but I can't...It would be worth it to me to download it..JoanGrimes
-
Marypage and Rosemary, I love DE Steven
son. However I am not sure that her books are available on Kindle...I will have to check that out...Paul Gallico's books are not availavle in the United States on Kindle...
Joan Grimes
-
Joan, I have had a look - it seems that on Amazon.co.uk at least, you can get Paul Gallico's Mrs Harris books but not any DE STevenson - in fact I was stunned at how much the second hand copies of her books were apparently worth. She is definitely ripe for being reprinted.
I ticked the box that says "I would like to see this available on Kindle"!
Rosemary
-
I tried to reply to this once and promptly lost my connection, so will try again.
I have been experimenting with what is on Kindle, Nook, ebooks and it is wild. In the older books, some you would think are there, are not..Very very odd choices in the free books..
I just finished in real book style one of the Patricia Briggs series of werewolves.She is quite a good writer.. Uses her wolves, vampires, in a real setting and makes it feel quite normal. Quite a feat for fantasy.
-
I couldn't agree more about the Patricia Briggs books, STEPH. She
brings a very different approach to the theme.
-
I bought everything D.E. Stevenson ever wrote, and she wrote a lot; but then, as I would read a book, I passed it on to someone else.
Joan's words about present-day value jolted me and I ran to the bookcase holding the Stevenson-type books, and Lo! I own FOUR of her books I had to buy in Large Print in order to get at all, and then shelved for reading in my "old age." Now, for instance?
-
DE STevenson - in fact I was stunned at how much the second hand copies of her books were apparently worth
Yep and I ordered one of those expensive resales from Amazon and still have not received the book - it is 'used' from an outside vendor so we shall see what we shall see...I expect the read will be worth it though... however, at those prices one of her tomes is enough...
-
Joan, I have had a look - it seems that on Amazon.co.uk at least, you can get Paul Gallico's Mrs Harris books but not any DE STevenson - in fact I was stunned at how much the second hand copies of her books were apparently worth. She is definitely ripe for being reprinted.
I ticked the box that says "I would like to see this available on Kindle"!
Rosemary
Yes
Rosemary all of Gallico's book are available on Kindle in the UK...but not available in the US...
-
I have fallen in love.. Started.. The Sweetness at the bottom of the pie.. Flavia is truly a wonderful creation and he is 70 and male.. Oh me. that is quite an accomplishment. I see he has written or is writing more and I will be on the lookout.. Oh me.. Flavia and her bike.. The castle is a great invention all on its own.. I am up to Flavia and her father while he is in jail and the discussion is amazing. I loved the remark from Flavia mentally that her family is not into hugging or contact.. Talk about a stiff upper lip..
-
You've persuaded me, STEPH. I'll look up that book; hopefully my
library will have it.
-
Oh Babi, it is worth it. I finished it last night and loved it. I cannot get over the fact that Alan Bradley is 70 and this is his first fiction.. He says Flavia jumped out of nowhere and forced him to write about her. It is just a wonderful book.. Does not read like a first book. He has written or is writing two more. I will look up the second one, since it was supposed to be published on the 10 of March last year.. It s been ages since I found a new author I truly enjoy, but I do him.
-
I already checked, STEPH. My library does have it and it's on my list.
-
Finished the Palace Diary last night. It was fun in spots.. She told us a bit more about her love life and drinking habits that I thought necesary, but that is probably my age showing. She puts her teeth out in both Diana and Camilly though.
-
STEPH, you have convinced me to buy "Sweretness" for my Amazon. Amazon has two additional books by Alan Bradley, available. All are less than $10. Thanks for talking about "Sweetness".
Sheila
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Here's an interview w/ Bradley and a video of the estate.
http://www.amazon.com/Sweetness-Bottom-Pie-Flavia-Mystery/dp/0385343493/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2
Jean
-
Oh wow I can see now why Steph is enjoying this read - thanks Jean for including the link to Amazon - I was able to read some of the first chapter and it is a delight.
-
I hope you enjoy it Sheila, I really did. I am going to download at least one of the newer Alan Bradleys on my Kindle.. I have mostly downloaded free or .99 but I do love his stuff.
-
A great day in History! A great day for Egypt! People dancing in the streets all over that country and many other nations of the Middle East. Reminds me of V-J Day!
A reminder of what I hope will go down in the History books, though I feel doubtful: this was all begun by a YOUNG WOMAN with college degrees. She has generaled the whole peaceful protest. Hope she gets the credit, but, men being what they are, I doubt it. One can but hope!
-
Now let's hope the military council doesn't decide to hang on to the
reins. I hadn't heard about this woman who started the protest, MARYPAGE. The news reports interviews I've seen were all with men.
Who is she? I does look as though she was shuffled out of sight pretty
quickly.
-
I do not remember the name. This is what I remember: early newscasts from Cairo said flat out that the leader of the protest was this young woman, and they showed her in the headquarters of the group. It looked like offices in some building and everyone was young and very busy. She was slim and did not have her hair covered. She looked very, very busy, but smiled at the newsfolk. That is the extent of it, but I saw that more than once, and done by both NBC and CBS. I am inclined to think the lack of mention now is for her protection. Didn't ANYone besides me see this? Some of my family members caught it, as well.
-
Since there are still jailed over a 1000 protesters who knows - she could be among them or they maybe protecting her from being taken. There is no word that the secret police have been disbanded.
-
Yes, MaryPage, I saw the young woman on TV that I believe you're speaking of. I don't recall any details of the interview now, (my memory isn't so good now) but I do recall her.
jane
-
Thank you, Jane; you have quite restored my own faith in my sanity, for the fact is, I find NO ONE who remembers the early broadcasts I remember! Except one daughter and her husband. The thing is, I think she is still there, behind the scenes, giving the orders. I mean, what MAN would think of having that crowd actually CLEAN UP and sweep that square?
-
I missed the earlier broadcasts, MARYPAGE. I'm not sure how long the
protest had been going on before it caught my attention. You may be
correct that her identity is being obscured for her own protection.
I loved your observaton about the square being cleaned up and swept.
:D Actually, though, I thought the Army did that.
-
No, judging from TV shots it was the people.
-
The Washington Post this morning (page A12) indicates it was definitely the people. Many came to clean up who had not been part of the demonstrations. Some wore vests with signs on the back proclaiming: "Proudly Cleaning Egypt." National songs blared out of speakers. One 30 year old engineer had not protested, but said that cleaning up the streets was the least she could do to help those who saved Egypt.
The article went on to quote two communiques issued overnight by a core group of protest organizers. I think they mean the group I have referred to, and I'm betting they are keeping the name and location of this group out of their reporting as a safeguard measure.
-
BRAVO! Good for the Egyptian people! Now that is how a protest
should be conducted, and too few are. And how many governments
under attack respond with the restraint shown these past weeks. I
must consider the Egypt a most civilized country.
-
Don't rejoice too soon. The military still has to turn the government over to a newly elected government. We all hope that will happen, but it would be out of character for most military establishments.
-
Very true, URSA. But since the Army has made their support of the
people evident from the beginning, I have hopes. Someone at the top
is sure to be tempted; we can only pray they resist the temptation.
-
I get the impression unless the news media are completely buffaloed that the army in Egypt is not typical of the armies in many nations filled with thugs - the thugs are in the police and secret police where as the Army appears to be a stabling force. We know that the senior officers were trained in Russia however all the Junior officers were trained in the US and so I would think if there was a wide difference in ideology the Senior officers could not get very far without the support of the Junior officers or a coup within the army would be the next headline out of Egypt.
-
I didn't know that, BARB. Thanks for the information. That's encouraging.
-
Last night on Brian Williams on NBC they showed the gal I was talking about again briefly. She is not one of those black eyed, black haired exotic beauties, but could have been American for her looks. Looked like thick brown hair in a pony tail and who knows what color eyes, though not the black. Plain face, but interesting and intelligent. Again, I lacked paper & pen to write down her name, and my short term memory stinks; but the last name begins with an S. This is the young woman who is supposedly the chief leader of the protest.
The plan is for Friday demonstrations indefinitely, to make sure the army keeps moving on its promises.
With a leader who is diligent and thinks of everything and does not give up, slack off, or let down side for so much as a nanosecond, I really think this thing is going to be a good thing.
The police marched in parade last night through the area, begging forgiveness for following orders to fight the protest and declaring their solidarity with the people. They also complained about being underpaid.
-
Today I am returning two books to the library that I had reserved sometime before
santa brought me my Nook for Christmas. One was What is Left, the Daughter, by Howard Norman, which I wasn't crazy about and can not remember for the life of me why in the world I had reserved it. :P
The other book, I really enjoyed- Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghase. It is a well written (IMO) story of a family saga of Africa and America, doctors, patients exile and home. It's a story of life and love in Ethiopia and a pair of brothers- TWINS born of a secret union. There is a lot of medical jargon (rudimentary)in it but filled with love, refuge and an unforgetable journey.
-
I'm almost finished w/ Miss Julia Paints the Town, it's the first MJ i've read for awhile and was thoroughly enjoyable. While i read i "see" Miss Julia as the woman who plays the mother in "The Closer". She even has the NC/mid South accent that i've heard as the voice of MJ. Altho i think she's supposed to be from Georgia. Some of you southerners can correct me if i've not got the ear for the differences in the Southern accents correct...... :) ......i love the way Ross has the MJ character speaking what the "proper"action would be and how she rationalizes why she's not doing that ;) :) ...... Jean
-
Andy, I've had Cutting for Stone on my Kindle for a long time, but haven't had a chance to get to it yet. The link below is about the author who is a practicing/teaching physician at Stanford, and works hard to teach his students about the "art of the physical exam."
Dr Verghese at Standord (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/12/health/12profile.html)
Now I've got to look up that other book you mention -- have heard the name, know nothing.
Added later: What is left the daughter -- ordinarily I enjoy epistolary novels (like Potato Peel Pie, Dear Enemy). I won't pick up this one any time soon.
-
Jean, About a year ago I read all the Miss Julia books that my library had, and I thoroughly enjoyed them.
-
Pedln- I'm sure you will enjoy Cutting for Stone and it is wise that you don't worry about the other one. :D
Thanks for the link on Dr. Verghese, I quite agree with himj that the physical done by a physician isn this country is going by the wayside. I know that you don't want me to get on my soapbox about that error in judgement and teaching.
-
Thanks for keeping us up-to-date on the situation in Egypt, MARYPAGE.
I was especially surprised to read about the police march proclaiming
their solidarity with the people's protest. Most promising. (It would
be nice if they could get a raise. I don't doubt that complaint at all.
I agree, ALF. I found "Cutting for Stone" one of the best books I'd
read in a long time. I raved about it here, I'm sure.
JEAN, I've only watched a couple of "Closer" shows, so I'm not familiar
with the mother. I can say with authority, however, that the Georgia
lot have one of the strongest Southern accents in the country. An ex-BIL from Georgia, after being transplanted to New York for most of his life, still had the unmistakable accent.
-
There are more than one Georgia accents. People in the north Georgia mountains speak more like the mountain people in Tennessee; Atlanta and its environs have a very distinctive drawl. My parents grew up in Georgia and spoke in a Georgia accent all their lives. My mother taught English at Brenau in Gainesville. A good Georgia accent always gives me a warm feeling.
-
Babi- my apologies to you. You were probably the one who had remarked of how great the book was and I jotted down the title for later perusal. Many times (depending on the content) I will take the view of a fellow reader such as yourself. I just neglected to give you the thanks for sending it my way. when I was in B & N yesterday I saw it on the shelf in Paperback. I was astonished as I had been carting that big book around for days. Thanks again.
-
Oh, no apologies necessary, ALF. I just wanted to chime in with a
'me, too' on how much I enjoyed the book. I recommended it to my
son, too, and he said it sounded interesting and would take a look at
it. I don't know if he has read it or not.
-
Cutting for Stone is my ftf book club selection for April. I down loaded it on my Kindle since it is a long book and our library has limited copies. My ftf club met today with a most interesting discussion on Sarah's Key. There were 16 members and guests present and all but one really liked the book, and one other didn't finish. I thought it was an interesting book, but somewhat depressing. Our selection for March is Ahab's Wife. I bought a used copy, but haven't started reading it yet. Have any of you read Ahab's Wife?
Sally
-
Has anybody in here read Isabel Allende's new novel(I think it is her newest) - Island Beneath the Sea? Review says it is about a mulatto slave
in New Orleans. That said enough for me to pick it up-----I live in Louisiana. The print is very small so I don't know if I will be able to keep
up with it. Her books are always winners. ::)
Joy
-
I took my IPAD with me on the trip. Worked perfectly to read books on the train, but is somewhat awkward to hold for long.. At home, Ihave a chair with arms and that works better. I loved the fact that in the train station and the hotel, I got free wifi and kept up with facebook and my email.. Played games.. Oh me, the IPAD is a perfect companion for me..
-
Sounds like you had a great time! ;D
-
salan, I have read Ahab's Wife. We read it for our f2f book group about two years ago. As I remember, almost everyone enjoyed the book. It is a big honking book! I enjoyed it tremendously. We read the author's other "big" book - about Marie Antoinette (can't think of the title) I think I liked that one better. The author does a fabulous job of scene setting, period setting. I just felt like I was "there" in both books.
-
Now I remember the author - Sena Jeter Naslund. The other title "Abundance".
-
I truly loved Ahabs wife,, but not so much the Marie Antoinette one. I am still getting caught up. Somehow when I left town, the friends of library decided I should be in charge of this years Literary Adventure..Sob...
-
Greetings -
Just finished Louise Penny's new title Bury Your Dead. I liked it very much as I have all of her books. I definitely recommend that they be read in order as the characters develop as they progress and the story lines are related. This new one has three story lines, one of which is tied to the last book, The Brutal Telling., and changes the ending. This one is set in Quebec and makes me want to visit the city.
Now back to The inner Circle by Brad Meltzer. I don't care for conspiracy novels but now that I'm into it, I have to find out what is really going on.. I picked it up because of the setting, the National Archives.
Spring is coming. My daffodils are starting to poke through and the cardinal is singing his spring song. Not bad for Wisconsin in February with more snow forecast for Monday. It won't last long.
Mary
Mary
-
Steph, what is the Literary Adventure? It sounds like it would be fun - but maybe not if you have to organise it!
Rosemary
-
cubfan - I can easily imagine the daffodils peeping out even though the temperature here today is approximately 35 degrees Celsius and rising. I am sitting at my PC wearing just a batik sarong. Anything else is much much too hot. When it is hot in Brisbane, it is usually even hotter in Perth. I wonder how Gum is?
-
Friends of the Library have a literary adventure once a year. It is two day. The first is at the library. We have panels or guest speakers and if we can find one, a movie on the author or one of their books. Then the second day, we go somewhere associated with the author.
I am planning a trip to St. Petersburgh( two hours away). We will go to the brand new Dali museum and have lunch in the town.
The first day will be some sort of panel and hopefully I can find a movie or slides of him and /or his work. That day we also have a box lunch, so people will stay all day. The second day, you buy your own lunch and we try to set up a deal where we provide a dessert from some local restauant.. The thing that is hardest is I must find a bus..That is tricky for us and the biggest expenditure by far.. The cost last year was 40.00 for the whole thing, but the tickets to the museum are expensive and that will raise this years price.. Oh, we did Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings last year. Her home is a state park in Florida.
-
Steph, that sounds so interesting - but good luck with all the organisation! I have been to the Dali museum in northern Spain, it was something else. Our children were quite young at the time, so we thought they would find that more fun than a more traditional gallery. Sadly, however, they do not appear to remember a thing about it!
Rosemary
-
Steph, we'd seen the old Dali Museum, and it was geat. I'd love to see the new one. Dali's never been one of my favorite artists, but I was quite impressed with his talent and technique after seeing lots of his work. The title of the exhibit was "Madman or Genius" - to which my answer would have been "Both!" Enjoy your trip.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Steph, what a fascinating event. I don't envy your having to deal with all the little details, but what you've described sounds so enjoyable. And you have one every year? Is Dali the focus of both days?
-
I just finished Nora Ephron's "I remember Nothing".. Short stories and fun.. I have downloaded the Laura Bush memoir on my IPAD and need to get going on it, since it is our ftf book clubs choice for March..Just no time for things I want..
-
"I Remember Nothing" sounds so appropriate for me. My rememberer is getting more and more
contrary. Does gingko biloba really help, I wonder? :P
-
Just no time for things I want..
Steph, "ain't" it the truth. All these books that you do want to read and discuss and share with a group, and then there are all these others that you just can't wait to delve into, and wish you could spend the whole day reading. It seems that sometimes they sit on the shelf for years.
-
Babi - I did decide to take a course of gingko biloba. I can't remember if it helped, though.
-
Folks, taking one herb does little good - there are primary herbs that for a better memory will include Ginkgo Biloba which is an Anti-Oxidant - then you need a secondary herb that supports what is causing the memory to need assistance - Alfalfa, Bilberry or Suma works - a Choline source like Barley Grass or Garlic or Fenugreek or even Dandelion Root will work - many use as a secondary herb Ginseng which is also a choline source and a tonic stimulant however, I cannot take it since it sends my blood pressure up the roof -
And the biggest addition that every formula needs is a catalyst or transporter so the herb will be absorbed by the body - - a Good catalyst for most formulas are Ginger, Kelp, Garlic or lobelia.
The Suma and the Ginger as well as Gotu Kola work well as Brain Tonic Stimulants - Evening Primrose or Borage or Echinacca root are good Prostaglandin precursers - the Kelp and Gotu kola or best yet, Fo-Ti-Tieng are good sources of Amino Acid and for high mineral and nutritive content the Kelp, Alfafa, Irish Moss, Parsley, and Bilberry are good.
So a typical formula could be
Ginseng - Gotu Kola - Ginkgo Biloba - Lecithin - Borage seed - Fo-Ti-Tieng - Kelp - Ginger - Garlic - Parsley
Or a formula without Ginseng that focuses on counteracting premature aging
Kelp - Spirulina - Alfalfa - Borage Seed - Dandelion - Gotu Kola - Ginkgo Biloba - Black Cohash - Royal Jelly - Bee pollen - Ginger.
And the formula with the smallest number of herbs that should make a difference is:
Ginkgo Biloba - Gotu Kola - Kelp - Bilberry - Alfalfa - Ginger - Garlic - swallow the capsules with a cup of warm water that you have put a tablespoon of local honey in the water.
Adding Kava Kava root to any of the above formulas helps you remember dreams - it uses the same catalyst as in the formulas above.
A basic formula requires at least 5 herbs - in three different areas - the primary - secondary to support the underlying system and the catalyst
-
I just discussed Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz with my f2f book group. We enjoyed it very much, but some of us were put off by the jumping around from time period to time period.
Also, I'm finishing up Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne which is being discussed here. An amazing history of the Comanche and other Plains Indians. I found myself siding with the Indians.
My f2f group will be reading Foreign Correspondence by Geraldine Brooks who brought us March, Year of Wonder and People of the Book.
Nancy
-
I am so very careful with myherbal supplements since many of them interact and some of them interfere with other meds.. Glucosomine with a supplental helps me cope with my back. But not always.. Ginseng makes me good and sick..So I always look up interactions before I start anything. My doctor loves fish oil and I take a combination of that twice a day. Also COQ10 once a day.
Sneaking in on the Newest Elizabeth George in paperback. It seems to be combining two stories, No idea why, but she loves complicated plots. Cant say I am impressed with the new boss. She is trying for seriously obnoxious and she was in previous book.. Didnt like her in that one either as I remember.
-
Yikes, folks, be careful with all those supplements. But I should not talk. I'm taking so much prescription stuff that I don't dare take anything over the counter except calcium and tylenol. The thought of possible interactions scares me to death.
Aberlaine, I could not get into Drowning Ruth, but loved Schwarz's All if Vanity when SeniorNet discussed it. That was neat, as Schwarz joined our discussion. A novel of emails and plaguerism of a life.
I know nothing of Brooks' Foreign Correspondence. Will have to look into that one.
-
Yes, to each his own, I take all herbs and other alternative meds. so that it was so easy for the Doctors when recently had to be put under first for eye surgery and then for a colostomy - in both instances they remarked how great it was for them and how unusual at my age - I have not had a prescription except for the eye drops required in probably 12 years -
Rather than prescription anti-biotic I use Colloidal Silver - for water retention I use potassium - and rather than an over-the-counter sinus combo I use an old Dr. Christopher formula that Nature's Way purchased when they bought him out called HAS. - on and on it goes - It took my a few years to learn and I do have a couple of good herbal pharmaceutical books that not only explain the use of each of 100s of herbs but explains the combo that most parts of the body and most ailments require.
I do go to doctors that prescribe herbs and many of my ills so to speak are taken care of by a Dr. Lio at the Asian Clinic who is big on various foods used as cures. Since I do not see the Chinese dropping over dead by the thousands I figured another way of treatment is simply another way and he was trained in China and head of a small hospital in Beijing.
And so as I say to each his own - however since an herb is not like western meds where only parts of the tree or plant are extracted and than combined with other chemicals it is closer to the food source so that there should not be a reaction - it is just that to get the food source or herb to activate the part of the body that needs help other support herbs and a catalyst are required.
You can't go wrong with using either Ginger or Kelp as a catalyst - they are recommended in 95% of formulas and Ginger will support your digestion regardless if you are taking any western meds. or herbal combos and Kelp is the kind of iodine that we used to get when we salted our food - most of us no longer use salt - in addition used daily strengthens our Thyroid - it used to be that our bread had Iodine but the FDA approved back in the 70s a change to Bromide which gradually destroys the health of your Thyroid and so taking the Kelp will support what the Bromide is destroying.
-
Interesting info Barbara. My accupuncturist gave me a littke pill that has a huge combination of drugs. I looked up what those Chinese names really were and discovered most were herbs whose names i recognized in English. However there were some possibility of interactions w/ blood pressure and my heart problems. The pills are very tiny, but she said to take 8 4x a day. My body responses to meds very well, so i'm starting w/ 3 or 4 a couple times a day. I'll look for the HAS, since i can't take most sinus meds. ........ Jean
-
Jean like all herbal treatment it takes a bit of time for the body to store enough to make an observable difference - my grandboy switched from over-the-counter sinus meds to the HAS last year - as hard as it was to carry capsules to school and remember to take them it took him about 2 weeks of being faithful to the 2 capsules 3 times a day and then he backed off to the 2 capsules twice a day - after doing that for over a month but less than 6 weeks he is finally at the point where he only has to take the capsules when he wakes up or if he is having a problem and they react on him within 10 minutes.
I am at the point where I can not have used the HAS for a couple of weeks and if I need some within two doses I am back as if I used them consistently without stopping. This kind of reaction to a formula I have found to be true to form so that once the body reacts to a formula it takes less time for the re-introduction to have an affect.
-
Steph - I am sure you already know this, but just in case - we gave our dog glucosamine for his arthritis, and when he was very ill our vet wondered if it could have been that - apparently glucosamine can have a terrible effect on some dogs. The vet's own dog had become ill taking it but she had realised in time. I don't think it's what brought about our dog's early demise - the vet said she didn't think so - but I try to tell everyone because it does otherwise seem like a good idea to try them on that - especially as our first retriever could not take Metacam and became very ill on that.
Rosemary
-
Ah! I knew I was close kin to dogs! I broke out in terrible hives from glucosamine. My body quite simply refused the stuff!
-
;D
-
MaryPage, do you have an allergy to shellfish perhaps? Glucosamine is made from shellfish, but not the part they claim people are allergic to.
I take Red Yeast Rice so I also take CoQ10, a good thing to take when you take a statin. It really does work on me. So far I have avoided having to take a prescription statin drug. Since I don't care much for grapefruit, it isn't a problem to avoid it.
-
am courious if you all are being bombed with Social Networking, Groupon, and all the other new ones that are popping up, we are having fun with it now.
-
You could spend you life on the computer with all that is in our email box - and yet, it still gets my attention where as if it comes in the snail mail it hits the recycle bin without even being opened.
-
Judy...no, I've not heard of those groups. I get enough Facebook 'friends' that I've never heard of.
Enough, already!
jane
-
Rosemary, I use a vetinary formula glocosomine.It is a mixture in a chewable tablet and my old guy loves it. Wont take a pill and the stuff I sprinkled on, he hated, but the chewable.. Yum yum.. I take a combination of Glucosomine and something else, two a day. They do help some with my aching bones. Again from my doctor who is a regular doctor, who also liked holistic meds. I take meds for my Blood Pressure ( since I was 35) and have osteoporosis and take a weekly thing for that. I am on a very mild statin for the past three months, but may not stay on it. The doctor was worried about my triglicerides which were high. They are now normal as is my chloresterol, so the doctor is trying to decide what to do . So much of my body reacted all last year after the accident and the clots.. Now I seem to be returning to normal ( at least physically)
-
I did decide to take a course of gingko biloba. I can't remember if it helped, though.
(roshanarose) ;D
BARB, you are very familiar with herbs. I wouldn't dare try to create
a 'formula' on my own, but are there commercial combinations that you could recommend?
ROSEMARY, our beloved cat Maggie, now gone, had problems with
arthritis. When we saw her limping, I would crush a small amount of
my glucosamine-chondroitin combo into her food. It didn't seem to bother her and it did help her get about more easily. I imagine, like
people, tolerance varies with individual pets.
-
Babi like anything it takes a desire to read and learn - and of course more than one book ;)
I do find that the formulas that were the original Dr. Christopher formulas are great - not too many around any longer since he sold to Nature's Way I guess it must be 20 years ago - but I notice the on-line Vitacost has many of his formulas for sale today -and then the other I found to be really good is Michael's out of San Antonio - they are Kosher prepared so that give a level of cleanliness and safety beyond the usual.
And then I found some retail locations t hat have a very knowledgeable sales staff and they often have a copy of Prescriptions for Nontraditional Healing a huge tome that new costs about $30 but I was able to purchase a used copy for $4. - explains the particulars on every vitamin, Mineral, Herb and Food Supplement as well as everything you want to know abut nearly any malady with recommendations to relieve the problem. .
And if you can locate a copy of How To Be Your Own Herbal Pharmacist by Linda Rector N.D. Ph.D published 1991 you have landed a gold mine - however, it helps to have done some extensive reading beforehand - years ago Whole Foods had a wonderful library of books - yes, for sale - but I parked myself by the hour and read - Now if you want a quick resource without all the study you must find a location that most often has a Nurse Practitioner on staff - not one of these big national vitamin companies who cater to the athlete - takes some poking around. and if you can find a Dr. who trained at Berkley they for years include what the media lits to call Alternative Medicine to their curriculum.
You have to be willing to try as well - for instance there was a brand that was produced in NC that was not nearly as affective as Michaels and yet, it may be that it works for others whose systems do benefit - because that is the thing - working with treatments that are close to the source as foods and herbs our bodies react as individual systems - we also carry what we are drinking in our water and the air we are breathing and how much natural food we cook versus prepared foods which have preservative chemicals - on and on it goes.
And if you think you can garden as a solution remember most seeds purchased at typical mail order or nurseries are altered - you have to find the few nurseries on-line that sell un-altered seeds. It is a trick and a half to stay healthy these days but once you get it down like anything it is clear sailing - and no I am not a vegetarian and yes, I do eat a frozen dinner now and again, But having been in a two day class last week with a couple of Doctor's wives in attendance they also said Doctors do not know what they are prescribing - they read the handout on the free samples they are given and then prescribe - if it works great. I am not a Dr. but many things are not so serious that a Dr. is needed -
There are blood pressure machines in most pharmacies - and most towns have a place where you can take a blood sample and get what ever test you need for as little as $29 to $109 according to the test you require. And so for many things you can monitor your own health.
I successfully brought my blood pressure down from 172 and at times as much as 190 over 90 to 122 over 80 by taking Michael's Blood Pressure Factors - It took about 3 weeks to get it down and then I could hardly believe my success but it has been in this normal range now for over a year - most days I take the three tablets and many days I only take one or two tablets The Doctors had prescribed two different Diuretics and both gave me severe headaches - where as the Michael's formula worked for me.
There are also tons of books on using foods to heal - this is a big area of treatment in Asia and so I have not gotten there yet but I plan on trying the Asian market in town to learn about and try a few foods that are new to me. One that I have tried which is an all round dried berry are Jujube - http://www.nutritionalwellness.com/nutrition/herbs/j/jujube.php
-
With the conversation that's been going on about supplements, y'all might be interested in the Seniors & Friends discussion on Living the Healthy Way. Here's the link.
http://www.seniorsandfriends.org/index.php?topic=699.1590
-
;) :) ;) Hope we are sharing enough books so that it is an OK subject in books... but thanks for the tip MaryZ
-
It wasn't a complaint, Barb ::) , just a suggestion for some who might be interested in additional conversation on the subject.
-
Bibi and Steph - something we found to work wonders with our dogs was sardines. I used to put a spoonful of canned sardines on top of their food every day, and, particularly for our first dog, it had a dramatic effect - she became much more supple and active for some time. I met a man in the park who said he fed his dogs entirely on sardines, and they never became arthritic. I got them 25p a can in Lidl - cheaper than dog food as it happens - and I was very impressed with the results. I am amazed, Bibi, that you could get your cat to take anything! Mine are like little minxes and can see a pill at 30 paces. If you crush it up in their food, they just leave the food. The dogs were quite different, would eat anything - but then they were retrievers.
Rosemary
-
Thanks for that link, Mary, i had missed that S&Fs site...... Jean
-
Rosemary - Thanks for the tip about sardines. One constantly reads that they are good for humans, but I had never thought of their benefits for animals.
Barb - Thanks for all that good stuff about herbs.
-
My dogs get plain yogurt three times a week. The more natural, the better. They love it and it keeps tummies and coats in good condition.
I have picked up a very old science fiction book for my bed book just now. Glory Lane by Alan Dean Foster. Great fun, it is a quest type with th e more obnoxious type teens on the journey. He is a lovely accessible author and I am enjoying the change from more serious books.
-
Thanks for those resources, BARB. I've jotted down a couple to
research and see what I can find.
Fortunately, ROSEMARY, the crushed pill had no strong odor or
flavor, so Maggie ate it with no problem. I have found that it is
much easier to give a cat a liquid medicine, with the small plunger.
Click! The med. is down their throat and they can't spit it out!
Too bad they don't all come in liquid form. The sardines is a great
idea, tho'. Lots of oil.
I once had a couple of puppies who came to me with very rough coats. The next time the vet saw them, he commented on how much better they looked. I told him I used condensed milk as part of their milk diet. It worked.
Yogurt would be good, too, but I would not have thought a dog or cat
would eat it, STEPH. I'll keep that one in mind, too.
would like it.
-
If any of you have never witnessed a dog "spitting out" a pill, you are missing something! At one point, was directed to give my dog half a Benydryl tablet. So I put it in a little square of meat, in with the regular portion of food. I was watching carefully to make sure she took it. She got the square of meat in her mouth, turned her head, and actually spit the pill out on the floor. I nearly laughed myself sick! Greenies makes a product called "Pill Pockets", which I got from the Vet. They are softish, with a meat smell, kind of look like an elongated macaroni. You put the pill in, squeeze both ends shut, and bingo, the dog scarfs it up!
I learned this year that my doggie has food allergies, so no wheat corn or soy in any of her food. I now buy the "Wellness" brand but there are several that don't have those grains in them.
-
Babi - one of my Siamese loves plain yoghurt! Also ice cream (melted), butter and cream. We do not give her any of these things, as the breeder told us (rightly or wrongly I don't know) that dairy products are bad for cats, but if she finds a bowl that someone has had ice cream in, she licks it clean, and she has also had her head in old yoghurt pots on occasion. If I see her hoving into view when the butter dish is out, I know to whip it away pronto.
She also licks the grill pan if my husband ever makes the mistake of leaving it out after he has grilled bacon or made cheese on toast.
R
-
There's doggy ice cream in the freezer at your food store . At least Walmart carries it. It's called "Frosty Paws"
-
Oh my goodness - I have never seen it in Asda (Wallmart) yet. But our local pet shop does have cupcakes for dogs, gravy for dogs, "beer" for dogs, and at Christmas "mince pies" for dogs. I asked the owner if anyone ever bought this extremely expensive stuff - he said it was so popular he had to keep re-ordering.
The pet shop is very strategically located in an area with a high proportion of retired people with animals. The owners are lovely people who really put themselves out for you - they do free home deliveries of sacks of dog biscuits, etc, and are full of great advice, so good luck to them - I'd rather give them my money than hand it over to one of the big chains - but I'm afraid neither of my dogs was ever treated to doggie beer....
Rosemary
-
Doggie Beer? Then they might remind us of the Poker playing dogs in the painting! LOL Sittin' around playing cards and drinking beer!
-
I once had a cat called Oedipuss. He was a beautiful silver tabby, and we found him when he was a kitten looking for food at a service station. The manager said we could have him if we wanted, so we took him home. He grew into a beautiful puss with a friendly nature. He would accompany me and hub to the corner shop, walking along beside us, no leash. The shopkeeper knew Oedipuss as O used to visit him on his own. We moved house so O had to make new friends among the neighbours. This didn't take very long. One day he came home with a note attachred to his collar. The note said "We love this cat. We call him Yossarian and we give him a bowl of cream everyday". I was horrified, as any mother would be. Milk or cream gives cats diarrohea (sp). I wrote a note saying "You can call him what you like, but please no cream!!!" We discovered from the note writing neighbours that Oedipuss visited at least 6 (gasp) other neighbours who probably fed him as well. He was as fat as mud!
Those of you who know my love for all things Greek may not know that I call my pets by Greek names. As well as Oedipuss there was:
Icarus - a budgerigar
Persephone - a possum
Apollo - a cockatiel
Ajax - a friend's white cat
I had a friend who is a nun and in their convent they had a cat called Depussy :)
-
Roshanarose, I love your pets' names. Oedipuss reminds me of a former neighbor's cat named Mewrice and another friend's rather "challenging" cat called "Dom Kat" (because they didn't want the children to hear them saying "what has that damn cat done now?".
My favorite cat name was that of a stray that some friends found in the town of Conway, Arkansas. The family was very fond of a certain country/western singer and so the cat was named Conway Kitty.
-
Because of the bacteria, yoghurt does not qualify as a milk product and is common as a way to calm most dog and cats stomach if upset. It also helps with mild skin allergies. I even know people who only use the Greek yoghurt , but that tends to be expensive. I buy doggie peanut butter treats.. My two think they are heaven. Since I love peanut butter as well. I bring out mine on crackers and let them have their own in a baked biscuit. But if I have to pill a dog, I use the Peanut Butter ( my own).. Works like a charm. Sticky.
-
Callie - I think that Conway Twitty would be an excellent name for a cockatoo.
Steph - What is that treat for humans that Americans have? It is a round sweet/candy with a chocolate top and a peanut butter filling. Omg it is sooooo gooood.
-
A family I knew had two big black male cats named Dammit and Tohell.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Reese's Peanut Butter CUps, roshan? Absolutely my downfall. I will buy a pack of those, swear I will only eat one each day, and tomorrow will find the empty package. They are truly, truly addictive! As is most chocolate for me, but that one is tops.
-
Krispy Kreme donuts is my "drug of choice". I haven' eaten one in ten years and they still call out to me in the grocery store.
-
ROSE: do you mean reeses peanut butter cups?
My SIL, who grew uop in London, turned me on to English chocolate. there's one with a "bit of orange": Can't remember its name. It has enough fans here, you can get it in a few stores.
-
JoanK, were they kind of skinny sticks, absolutely scrumptous? But what were they called?
-
Yes, two years ago at Christmas time I remember they were all over in nearly every grocery - there was one with orange and the other with raspberry. Longer than those chocolate make believe cigarettes and a bit skinnier.
-
OOOOh Yes. Reeses'. Ex hub introduced me to many American treats, but I drew the line at peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. :o
-
Do you mean Matchmakers?
-
These may not be what others are remembering but I cannot tell which of these two companies are the chocolate fruit flavored sticks that I remember from Christmas two years ago - one is Belgian candy, Rademaker and the other could be Lindt unless there is a company called Trianon
http://www.thefind.com/food/info-rademaker-chocolate-sticks
http://www.thefind.com/food/browse-trianon-chocolate-sticks
This is a thin mint from England - not a stick but a thin square.
http://store.dereuzegourmetmarket.com/577203.html
All this good stuff on-line - what temptation - even Amazon has these candies available - I did not push the instant order button and the page is gone so I should be in safe territory.
-
www.qualitystreet.co.uk/products/matchmakers
They used to be made by Nestle and come in a long thin box - they now seem to have changed to this
-
Oh, my, ROSEMARY, your Siamese has a hankering for fat and could
wind up losing her slim silhouette. I have also heard that adult
cats do not digest milk very well. I did offer a bit of milk to my
cats once, as a treat, but they sniffed and turned it down. Needless
to say, I'm not going to risk wasting my ice cream. ;)
I love that name, Oedipuss, ROSHANA. He's obviously an accomplished
moocher. "Dom Kat" and 'Conway Kitty" are both great names, CALLIE.
I do love cats. Each one has it's own distinct personality.
I didn't know that about yogurt, STEPH. I've been classifying it as
a dairy product all this time.
-
Babi - I'm afraid that the vet has already told me that they are rather "chunky" - they don't look anything like the Siamese you can see on breed websites! They look OK from the front, but from the rear they are somewhat wide - like many of us, I suppose ;D The trouble is, it's hard to restrict their intake (though I certainly do try to prevent access to cream, ice-cream, etc) because they scream their little heads off if they want something.
Rosemary
-
Barbara, you found them. Delicious candies. Of course, you know that now you've had me "shopping" all morning.
-
mornings about over - how's the sweet tooth doing - we wont tell :-X
-
It's already dark here - definitely time for chocolate....
-
You people are killing me! Reeses peanut butter cups and Krispy Kremes! I just recently heard there's going to be a KK's store opening abt 10 mi from us. I had them last a few yrs ago when visiting cousins inGeorgia....... I'm salivating!
NO peanut butter and jelly? How can anyone turn those down? My kids grew up on peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sanwiches, now grandson is addicted, me too.
-
Reese Peanut Butter Cups.. Heaven on earth.. There is also a chocolate peanut butter ice cream to die for.
No reading today. Worked on the book sale.. brought home way too many books. Oh to resist bargains..
-
STOP - You naughty girls!
Wasn't it Oscar Wilde who said "I can resist anything but temptation".
Rosemary - My favourite English chocolate is Fry's Vanilla Cream. To die for, truly. They used to sell them here and then they stopped. My other favourite, the sublime Polly Waffle, was also discontinued.
-
Ha Ha! -I can easily resist all those goodies -I don't have a sweet tooth although if they're put in front of me I'll have one. My downfall is Cheese...cheese...and more cheese
-
Hello Gum - Is it a nice day in Perth? It's lovely here, but we never get too complacent. My main passion is blue cheese, I adore that stuff. Having a wine and eating Blue Castello and crackers .... ahhhhh. What type of cheese do you like? A while ago they had a TV program about this guy who used to lurk around cheese makers places tasting cheese. Looked like a good job. :D
-
roshanarose, one year, one of our daughters and SIL went to a cheese store and had them send us a package of assorted "stinky cheeses". It was divine!!!!
-
Steph - glad your book sale went well. I've worked at many charity book sales so know how one feels afterwards. Tired but somehow exhilarated as well despite the aching bones and sore muscles we didn't know we had.
We have a large sale for a charity every year which runs for a full week. My son always gives his time driving a truck and unloading boxes of books etc to help with the set-up and I help on the floor. DH just swans around drinking tea with VIP's and chatting to old mates who turn up every year.
Apart from raising funds for a good cause (now in the $$Millions) The upside is that volunteers always get first pick of the books before the sale opens and the pickings are always good - sometimes very good.
-
Yumbo MaryZ 8)
-
Roshanarose: so we're here together today. It's stinking hot in Perth - has been for weeks - we're going for the records now - already made one for longest period with minimum temps over 20C - next is longest stretch over 30C or 35C I'm not sure. Anyway, no mistake, it's a heat wave.
I watched part of that cheese show you mentioned. Made me salivate every time. I like strong cheeses too - good cheddars, strong blues, soft bries, even the nutty taste of jarlsberg is just the thing on occasion. Would rather have cheese after dinner than all the chocolate cream pies.Of course I try to restrain myself these days - note I said 'try'
We are way off topic here - maybe we should drop a Cheesy Book title into the conversation to make it legal....
-
Sorry about the heatwave. Darned awful. Do you have air con?
Trying to think of a Cheesy title. I am fond of Jarlsberg too. I like the nutty flavoured ones, although I can't remember their names. Swiss is good.
-
How about
The Cheese Lover's Companion: The Ultimate A-to-Z Cheese Guide with More Than 1,000 Listings for Cheeses and Cheese-Related Terms (http://www.amazon.com/Cheese-Lovers-Companion-Ultimate-Cheese-Related/dp/0060537043/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1298786255&sr=1-1)
Mastering Cheese: Lessons for Connoisseurship from a Maître Fromager (http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Cheese-Lessons-Connoisseurship-Fromager/dp/0307406482/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1298786653&sr=1-2)
Australian Cheese: A Guide to Cheeses Made in Australia by the Australian Dairy Corporation (http://www.amazon.com/Australian-Cheese-Cheeses-Australia-Corporation/dp/B0026KR082/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1298786844&sr=1-6)
and photos of cheese board to die for - float your curser over the photo and a large photo appears.
International Cheese Boards and Trays (http://international.stockfood.com/results.asp?txtkeys=Cheese%20platter&lstformats=01)
-
Barbara - YUM to the cheese platters - only looked at the first page - will save the others for later :D
I'm not sure about the book on Aussie cheese - I doubt that the Aust Cheese Board make the best cheeses in Australia. Some of the boutique cheese makers turn out fabulous stuff -
-
I just tried Google and there is a book called "Hamish X and the Cheese Pirates" in the Ottawa Public Library system!
Roshanarose - I have never seen Fry's Vanilla Cream, but in my childhood the only version of Turkish Delight that anyone in Britain had ever heard of was indeed Fry's. The TV advert was of a woman belly dancing across the screen whilst someone in a pseudo-exotic voice sang "Fry's Turkish Delight' in a sort of wavery, "mysterious" tone. The stuff was horrible. It was many years before I had the real thing and discovered that it was really rather good.
My children will eat practically any sweets, but I am sorry to say that their absolute favourites these days are jelly beans - I cannot begin to understand how the price of these things can be justified - they even sell them in Harvey Nichols!
To make us legal, I will throw in another, sweet-featuring, book title:
Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
Steph - well done on finishing your book sale. I know I would be totally unable to resist all those novels just crying out to me to be taken home. If you hadn't bought them, you'd only be regretting it now and wondering if they were still there (well I would :)) This is why I am a bit nervous about visiting a dogs' home - I'll want to bring them all home. Books don't even have big brown eyes and I still can't abandon them.
Jean - one of my daughters loves peanut butter and jam sandwiches (jelly is quite a different thing here), but I'm afraid the rest of us couldn't face them - I don't even like peanut butter......
Rosemary
-
Up ear ly.. Slept well, but I think in one position,so am stiff and sore.The dogs and I will walk it out.
I love cheese as well.. Favorites are the blues.. yum..
Hmm. titles. One of the cozy writers does parodies in the titles.. She writes of a housewife..Hmm. Charlotte Fluke?? no, that is not right, but just cannot quite recall.. One of the books was Ham and something..Oh well, not that important and I am still a bit on the crazed side for all of the books.. I did pick up finally a copy of The Help.. Have not read it and it was on my get it list and we got such deals for working. A whole box of books for 8.00.. But we had to pick five more hardbacks to qualify.. Did not have to pay for them. We still have tons and tons of books. Amazing the number of non fiction type books that are best sellers, but we get them by the ton and they dont sell again.. A good example was a book called.. A Purpose Drive Life.. it was enormously popular last year. I counted 9 copies just in my section alone.. Whew..None of them moved.
-
Steph - I notice that in our charity shops - shelves of hardback "misery memoirs". I personally cannot stand this stuff, but someone must have bought them. I am sorry if people have had terrible childhoods, but I don't want to read about them - and as a friend on another book site says, "they need to get over it" :)
I was at the gym the other day, and for the first time, having done my swim, decided to use their free wi-fi. Not only did it not work, the whole seating area was dominated by a huge TV from which blared one of those dreadful day-time "confessional" programmes, with two appalling women yelling and shouting at each other about who had slept with whose partner. I asked one of the staff if they could change the channel, or better still just turn it off. She actually agreed with me, but said that all the programming is fixed centrally - can you believe that? Thank goodness I will only be there till the end of next month, and my husband has found a good public pool - a renovated Victorian one in fact - in Stockbridge. My current employer also has Sky News blasting out all day - I would not mind a bit of low background music, but I find all this loud stuff very intrusive.
Rosemary
-
I'd appreciate it if you didn't bring up 'rear' views, ROSEMARY.
Or side views, for that matter. I have so few muscles left that
actually do their job. :'(
"Polly Waffle"?? What on earth is..was..that?
GUM, I have no trouble at all gorging on chocolate AND cheese.
Cheddar is a staple in my household; feta a favorite indulgence.
I am sorry if people have had terrible childhoods, but I don't want to read about them - and as a friend on another book site says,"they need to get over it".
(Rosemary)
Terrible childhoods...and a good eye for a profitable market.
Nothing like royalties to help one get over it. ;)
-
Rosemary, you wrote "peanut butter and jam sandwiches (jelly is quite a different thing here),". That reminded me of a delightful book I bought when I was in Edinburgh titled "Don't Put Your Finger In The Jelly, Nellie". My grandchildren were quite small and loved the book - but had a hard time understanding that the "jelly" looked like our gelled dishes.
Chocolate?? Cheese?? Yes, please!!!!! :D
Oh, I am ever so happy to see others who don't like the "poor pitiful me" stories - about themselves or others. If one can't get over it, one should get past it - and get on with it!!!
My metro area library Book Sale is this weekend. I've only gone one time; the crowd behavior is ridiculous! People bring suitcases on wheels and scoop books off the tables into them. I heard that some used bookstore owners in Sturgis, South Dakota (more than 900 miles from here!) come every year to stock their store. This Sale is definitely not for browsers!!
-
OK another view point - there is a phase most adults go through coming to terms with what really happened - they kept quiet out of fear of offending or, to stay safe or, they were told, oh no it couldn't be - and so they never really understood how the abuse affected them.
During the process of healing they must acknowledge, and for many come to terms with what was done 'by' so and so - there is a level before anger that frequently happens that is best described as outrage, in addition, it is like needing confirmation and then announcing to the vast public who felt it was more important to mirror back that the experience belonged under wraps - which was as if being abused all over again - when that stage of healing is reached most want to stand on the steps of the courthouse or, for some the capitol or, for some write a newspaper headline and then for some write a book - much of it works both way - it makes what happened real - only after it sinks in that it is real and that it should not have been that way does anger set in or, for some the wall-off starts all over again.
And so suggestion - you may not want to be burdened any more than they did - therefore, just look at these books like a Funeral Hearse going by - you have no idea who has met their last but you stop and maybe say a prayer - acknowledge in your head, probably not your heart if you do not know them, but you know and can acknowledge that something sad is happening and then go on with your life.
These books are just funeral hearses - someone's personal war story. .
-
Port Salut is my favorite cheese. Anyone else love it?
Macaroni and Cheese should always be made with Colby's Longhorn.
-
Oh dear, I was coping well with my dry cracker, till I landed here. Chocolate, mmmmh!
I love it. My sister and I went to a Family Forum at my mother's Nursing Home, and, probably to sweeten the pain of listening to residents complaints, they gave us heart shaped Dove chocolates. I have read that chocolate releases endorphins or some thing in our brains, so it was probably good thinking on the part of the staff.
I read on a tourist feedback site that one of our(Aussie) best kept secrets are Cherry Ripes, an American was stockpiling them to take home. Violet Crumble bars are a good old favourite.
When my son comes over from London he's always dying for iced coffee. For some reason it's not sold over there. I love Tasmanian Brie.
I'm looking for a book to read. One of those you can't put down, and you have to eat with one hand till it's finished. I'll keep browsing around here.
-
I have the latest BookMarks Octavia and I will tell you if I see a review of something you might like. The closest I have come so far is is a new book featuring Clara Driscoll who was the woman who worked for Louis Comfort Tiffany and designed the original lamps.. I want to get it and see it.The reviews sound interesting. They say that the process of design, color blowing, cutting and arranging of the stained glass is compelling.
There are some book that are compelling.. Jeanette Walls.. Glass Castle is the story of a horrible horrible childhood and a good present.. Beautifully written.
I dislike the movie star type books that think that a25 year old blond actualy has a story to tell.. Or that terrible little boy singer the little girls are thrilled with.. Or god forbid,,one more story about the Jacksons. That sort of thing drives me nuts.
On the other hand, I am reading on myIPAD,, Laura Bush's memoir and it is quite charming.
-
These books are just funeral hearses - someone's personal war story.
What a great line, BARB. And what a great way to look at it.
I enjoyed Port Salut back when I bought from a cheese club, MARYPAGE.
But that was in more prosperous days. Now one has to balance small
pleasures against necessaries. Don't worry tho', I'm obviously
still well fed. ::)
octavia, do show your son how to make iced coffee. It's simple
enough, isn't it, that he should be able to enjoy it at home. I well
remember, after my son moved out, his coming back and demanding I
show him how to cook three of his favorite dishes. He said he was
starving!
If you find that engrossing book, do let me know. My current crop
isn't all that great.
-
Octavia: i'm reading Orhan Pamuk's Museum of Innocence - but it's one to read slowly - for me anyway. The chapters are quite short and I find a couple at a time are great. I'm not too far into it so can't yet say whether it will live up to the hype. It's interesting but it's not a page turner -
You might find a suitable title among the nominations here in the Suggestions for Future Discussions page -I believe the vote will be quite soon. I've only read one (Ukrainian Tractors) but the others have absorbing topics.
-
This interview with the author of When We Were Strangers was in my Women and History newsletter. It's fiction abt a young Italian needlewoman in the 1880's as she moved to nirthern Italy and then immigates to the U.S. Sounds interesting. My library has it but it's out at the moment.
http://www.historyandwomen.com/
-
STEPH: " One of the cozy writers does parodies in the titles.. She writes of a housewife..Hmm. Charlotte Fluke?? no, that is not right, but just cannot quite recall.. One of the books was Ham and something.."
Could the housewife with ham and something be "Silence of the Hams" by Jill Churchill? Someone is killed by being hit by hams. I like her early books, starting with "Grime and Punishment", for anyone who likes "cozies" (light mystery stories). (Her later books really go downhill).
Joanna Fluke also writes cozies; each has the name of a sweet treat (e.g. the Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery). Her detective owns a cookie store, and the books are full of cookie recipes.
-
I have just looked up J Fluke on our library catalogue and practically all of her books are out on loan, which may be a good recommendation - or maybe it's just the recipes! I must say a novel featuring chocolate chip cookies sounds just what I need.
Rosemary
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Yes, I was thinking of Jill Churchill.. I feel like you do. The early ones are great fun, but the later ones, not so much. There are a number of authors who writer about food and mystery.. I had read some of Flukes as well.. My problem with most of them is they love butter and cream and never ever try to cut the calories..
I am reading a book about The Peculiar Crimes UNit.. It is english and I love the humor..Two older men who work as policeman, but treat crime solving quite differently. Christopher something is the author.
-
I'm just finishing Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. What a DELIGHTFUL book! Thanks to whoever recommended it first. I'm surprised there hasn't been a movie made from it.
-
Oh I'm sure there will be!
I just bought another copy in the PDSA shop for £1 - am giving the two new ones I bought as presents, so this can be mine :)
Rosemary
-
Moving all of the basket tbr books upstairs this am. I am having the carpets in two of the bedrooms and the two sets of stairs cleaned today. They will work around the heavy stuff, but want the lighter ( HOHOHO) stuff moved. Now I realize that the more books, the more heavy lifting involved. Oh well. My two low riders bump their bellies on the steps and oh my, do they need shampoo..
Our book sale got rid of about 12,000 books, but we still have right around 2,000, so we are having a week long free for all in the lobby of the library.. 3.00 a box of books and we are knee deep in people. They dig into the boxes, we only have room for four tables, so we just stack boxes everywhere and bring in 40 more boxes a day, so people return to see what is what. Great fun to talke again to serious readers. I used to see them in my book store and I do miss the day to day chat on whats around.
-
Steph - the last time we had our carpets cleaned my husband arranged the date then swiftly went off on a business trip - I too was told only to move the "light" stuff - it quickly transpired that what the cleaning guy meant by that was "you don't have to move the beds (if you're really sure you can't)".
We did not have carpets downstairs apart from a large Turkish rug in the sitting room - this was my pride and joy, and there was a rule that the door had to be kept closed when we were out so that the animals couldn't get in there. Needless to say that was ignored - one of my cats had a good clawing session in one corner, then our now deceased dog decided to relieve himself on it when he had a stomach upset (retrievers eat everything......). I was not happy!!
I know exactly what you mean about talking to serious readers. I have noticed that at our big Christian Aid sale - even if you are just another browser like me, you soon get into conversation with people, and have the kind of chats that you - or at least I - can't have with many other people. I would love to work in a proper bookshop (not Waterstones, as I could not bear to have to "push" big names that I can't stand). I understand that even Waterstones is inundated with applications. I think there are still a few independent bookshops in Edinburgh - and I came across a wonderful second hand one in St Andrews (I walked in and the owner said, more in hope that expectation - "I don't suppose I could interest you in 10 volumes of fly fishing?" (or something like that - I can't remember now exactly what it was, but it was something esoteric). I said sadly no, but we then had a very jolly conversation and I had a long and happy browse). I don't know if these places make any money, but what joy it must be to work in them.
Where was your shop and did you specialise?
Rosemary
-
At the library yesterday a women and i who were both bending over to look for a book on the bottom shelves decided libraries need to have rolling shelves, like file shelves in doctors offices. Just push the button and each shelf would roll up to eye level. :) then a librarian who is probably near age 50 came by and she agreed. She said she can hardly get up from the floor when shelving books. We knew exactly what she meant!
-
Oh! How I do agree with the need for rolling shelves in libraries. I often look for books by the author's name and, most of the time, I need to scan the bottom shelf.
Do you s'pose an upside down periscope would work? ;D
-
Callie, you might have idea there. :D
-
Haven't tried any of the recipes, but I've been warned they are too sweet.
-
I've always thought that books should be stacked lying down, because I get a kink in my neck from trying to read the titles sideways.
The last time I went to the Library, I wanted a book that was on a shelf behind a reading table. There was one only man at the table, reading a newspaper. His chair was pushed way back, almost touching the shelf where I was trying to locate the book, but he didn't budge an inch.
I don't know what perverse satisfaction he got out of blocking me, I'd hate to meet him on the road.
-
Octavia - there is a variation of that in some of our charity shops. As soon as you start looking at the books, a fearfully over energetic helper comes along and starts to rearrange them - usually right in front of where you are standing. I have given up and left on more than one occasion.
Rosemary
-
Rosemary - and don't you just HATE that. Seems to happen more than it should.
Octavia - that guy would be a road hog for sure.
Every book I want seems to be shelved on the bottom shelf especially when it comes to art books which are often rather large and heavy. I didn't notice it so much before I injured my shoulder but now it can be a minor problem to lift them up.
I was surprised recently to visit one of our libraries which I don't use so often and find their stock had increased so much that they were using the TOP of the shelving - I'm fairly tall but those books are just beyond my arm's reach and the reach of my glasses as well - and no handy step to help those who are height challenged. Great to see the added books though.
-
Gumtree - I sit on the floor sometimes. But then I have to get up.... :o
-
And here I have been scolding myself for letting myself get so out of shape - oh what a relief to hear this is a common issue - even here at the house it is an effort that has to be thought through with a campaign plan that includes an “end state” to get things from the bottom shelves of the lower kitchen and bathroom cabinets - at least my lowest book shelves are off the floor by 15 inches where I slide baskets under the shelving - I do have one wall of books that the bottom shelf is an inch off the floor but I had decided to fill that shelf with books I do not have the heart to get rid of but if I need once every two years I am lucky.
Don't you just love the book stores that have long library tables piled high with books - now that is what I wish they did in a library but it probably takes more space.
We just have to start being independently sophisticated with a fancy retractable cane in our purse preferably with an interesting knob or handle that we can whip out and use to help us off the floor. As it is in order the read the print on the cans in the grocery, although I wear a trifocals the reading lens no longer allow me to read the small print so I carry a pair of slim size high resolution magnifying glasses so that while shopping I wear two sets of glasses - I am beyond the curious looks - I've even resorted to this trick to read a contract where I am supposed to look so business put together - it has come down to competence or looks - with enough of us aging maybe retailers will get the hint to make the world more accessible.
-
I love the rolling bookshelves idea.. How much easier it would be to look.
Rosemary, I had a used book store, primarily paperback.. Specialized in Science Fiction and fantasy and mysteries. I loved it, but it is always a hobby. Used book stores unless they own their store premises do not make money. The rent kills you.. But I loved it dearly and shared it with MDH when he retired. He had fun working two days a week and I got a break. We sold it when we wanted to travel in the rv.
-
I am now more pleased with my small contribution in the library. I
check in the bulk of the books, those left in the outside book deposit.
I have always made it a point to put the largest and heaviest books on
the top shelf of the book cart, to make it easier for the librarians to
handle them. A small thing, but one I have learned to appreciate myself.
-
Oh those bottom grocery shelves, usually where they put the cheaper items, and the ones I want -- almost impossible to read the prices.
It's not just books on the lowest shelves that are a problem. Where are places to sit when you're out shopping. I complained at Barnes and Noble the other day because it's a long walk for my knees, from one end of the store to another, and the only chairs were in the front, in the cafe. No place to sit and browse. The manager told me that headquarters had sent them a MAP telling them how to arrange the store. And it didn't include chairs.
-
They want you to BUY the books, not browse. A chair would make you too comfortable.
-
Then they wonder why we shop Amazon from the comfort of out chairs with a fresh cup of coffee at our elbow.
-
Ever since I started having back problems (2 yrs. ago), my browsing and shopping has been limited. Most stores do not have convenient places to sit and rest. I find myself catering to businesses that provide seating. Our local drug store has some folding chairs and I drag one over to the greeting cards and sit and read. Our library has an on line program that works well for me. I go on line and check to see if they have the book and then reserve it. They then put it at the front desk for me to pick up. Of course, this is only if I know what I want; but thanks to all of you, I have a BIG list! When my back is really bothering me, I use the riding cart in stores that provide them. However, you can't reach anything up high or down low. Sigh.....
Sally
-
Reading your posts about seats in Shopping Centres reminds me of an incident that proved to me, not for the first time, that there are some good people in the world. I had not been out of hospital long and my ankle was still healing after being shattered in an accident. I had been in hospital for five weeks and at home not able to go out for 3 months. To say I was "stir crazy" would be an understatement. I was looking forward to going to the shops So I walked the length of the centre without my stick. When I got to the end of the centre, I sat down on the seat supplied. A woman approached me and asked if she could help. I was in a great deal of pain and evidently she could tell. She told me that my face was completely white. I told her my problem and she went away to fetch the security man who came back with a wheelchair. I thanked her and asked how she knew I needed help. She said "Not enough people see other's pain" and walked away. The security man asked if he could help me with my shopping and took me all around the shops in the wheelchair. It was like having a chauffeur. I thanked him too.
I don't know if many of you have been in wheelchairs, but it is amazing how differently people treat you. Mostly with courtesy, but sometimes very rudely. What complex creatures we are! I agree - we need more seats in public places.
That's what I liked about Borders. You could sit down, have a coffee and read the magazines if you wanted to. I am one of those people who won't read a magazine unless I have bought it. Many people woukld spend hours in Borders reading mags and books. Perhaps that's why they went broke?
-
Gosh Roshanarose, that is amazing. I really can't see that happening in our shopping centre. Gives you some faith in human nature, doesn't it?
I think they are gradually taking away the seats everywhere - I'm sure there used to be a lot more in our shopping centre and also on the streets. In most shops there are none, presumably because they take up valuable floor space and we are not buying anything when we are sitting. They don't seem to realise that many of us won't come in at all if we can't get a rest.
I remember - about 17 years ago! - sitting on a display platform in a deserted Boots to feed my son. There was nowhere else, it was a dismal bank holiday, and husband had gone off sailing or something. Anyway, no-one seemed to notice, but it would have been nicer if they had had a chair.
Our Waterstones used to have chairs, but I have noticed that they have gradually disappeared - they have presumably been told to get us buying not browsing. I sit on the ledge in front of the books. One good thing, however - John Lewis have put signs on some of the sofas in their furniture dept (which is where the restaurant is, so there are always people hanging about waiting for friends, etc) saying "feel free to sit here" - amazing!
Rosemary
-
Apparently the River Barge Explorer had to shut down operations
for a couple of years, but it back in operation now. So far as
I can tell, tho', it originates in New orleans, not Galveston.
It's a Mississippi River cruise.
Thanks for sharing that story, ROSHANA. It does give me a lift
to hear of people taking notice and being caring.
-
In some places chairs have been removed because homeless people have come in and occupied them. I remember staying in hotels, particularly in New York, where there was no place to sit in the lobby; I was astonished. I understand this is also a problem for libraries in cities; they are public areas and dirty and smelly people just have to be endured unless they actually threaten people. This is surely a problem for us Seniors; I have some difficulty walking from one end of a mega-supermarket to the other. Beautiful new store in Knoxville, but why do I want groceries from both ends of the store? :-\
-
I really sympathize with those who need to rest occasionally as they shop, walk, etc. I had my appointment for my annual mammogram yesterday. My son drove me to where we thought it was, and then drove back to park in their lot. Turned out my appoinment was at a different building. When finished, I came out and tried to find a place to wait for my son, hoping he would be able to see me. Not a bench in sight -- finally sat on a curb and he did eventually find me. I'm going to write them and suggest they put a few benches for people like me with back problems to sit.
And, yes, why is that the food you most need in a grocery, like milk, dairy products, and meat are always at the very rear of a huge store. Thankfully my son now does my grocery shopping for me.
Marj
-
What happened to " listening to our customers"? I have mentioned somewhere before that in our town we had a " small" Acme store in the center of town which was a great place to run into after work and be in and out in ten or fifteen minutes. It was also nice that i frequently met someone i knew and had a quick chat. A large Acme was at the opposite end of town and about 8 yrs ago Acme announced they were building another huuuge Acme at the other end of town in a new shopping center that wld also have a Wegman's and they were closing the "little Acme." i HATE the big and huge stores so i wait until my pantry is bare before i go shopping for groceries, abt every 6 weeks or so. Last week Acme CLOSED the "new" Acme, their invevtory was enormous, how can that be cost effective? My back and feet hurt every time i am finished walking forever and they kept switching things from one place to another.
I wrote them a note saying maybe they should reopen the "little" Acme (tic) . Of course i
know they won't, but it made me feel good to do it. But if your're thinking abt your customers, smaller stores would be easier for everybody. Borders might think abt having an online catalogue of their millions of books, but then have a pick-up, like the library does. People might buy something else when they come to pick up their book, don't you always get other books when you go to the library? According to someone i heard this morning B' owes tens of millions of dollars to publishers....??? And even our library has seats everywhere. Of course, when having a feedback discussion abt 5 yrs ago, i suggested to the librarian it wld be wonderful if the chairs sat higher then a foot off the floor and didn't sink even further when you sit in them, bcs it's very uncomfortable seating AND they are hard to get out of! AND there population is getting older and older. ................. The chairs are still there (sigh).
Jean
-
Mabel: A few years ago when I was more active in public affairs I broached the subject of chair heights with our librarian. At the time almost all chairs in the library were extremely low except for those at desks which were extremely straight and hard. It took a while for the machinery to crank up but we now have range of chairs to suit all ages - low, medium and high - the chairs at the desks now have armrests and are padded so are much more comfortable, there are a couple of low sofas and even bean bags for the younger patrons. In fact I recently noticed a student sitting/lying? on a beanbag down in my favourite area which overlooks the council gardens - she had bare feet, her shoes were tucked in beside her - she looked very comfy, kept wiggling her toes and was working steadily on her laptop. I sat nearby in an armchair from which I could easily rise despite my knees and hips. Needless to say the librarian responsible for the changes has gone on to bigger things. He, DH and I became quite good friends over the years and still see him occasionally - I still refer to him as my 'tame librarian' :D
-
Babi, RiverBarge Explorer was always based in New Orleans. Here's a link to their last web site. http://www.riverbarge.com/ The boat went up the Ohio well past Cincinnati; up the Mississippi to St. Louis; up the Cumberland to Nashville; up the Tennessee to Huntsville, AL; from New Orleans on the Intra Coastal Waterway to Galveston and South Padre Island, TX. We'd make reservations in a heartbeat if they were back in business.
-
MaryZ.. me too.. I want to try the barge. It was on our list, but even with him gone, I would still love to try the trip.
I used to talk to a manager of a Barnes and Nobel a lot when I owned the bookstore.. I even bought books from them. The problem with all of the chairs, etc .. You make it too comfortable and boom.. people drag out the really expensive art books, etc plop into a chair with a drink and boom.. instant nonsaleable books..A lot of them. Very expensive indeed for them.
-
Yeah, JEAN, that 'switching things around' is really frustrating.
I think every new manager feels he has to do something to show
he's up-to-date in marketing. Or research by corporate geniuses
has 'proved' that a different arrangement works better. At least,
the big stores do have those motorized shopping carts that allow
you to drive around if you're especially tired.
It is, unfortunately, a bad time to suggest changing the seats
at a library. With the budget cuts, they're doing well to buy some
new books.
I think your ideas are great. Who knows, somebody in the companies
you contacted might actually pay attention.
Now see there, MARYZ, how ignorant I am of my own 'backyard'. I
was unaware ot an Intra Coastal Waterway linking New Orleans and
Galveston. I thought if you wanted to sail from one to the other,
you went out into the Gulf. As far as I could tell from the links
I found, they are back in business. I found links about them going
out of business, then about plans to re-open, and then one that
invited reservations. I'll see if I can find that one again.
-
Okay, I found the site again, but since it is not dated, I can't tell if it
is new or pre-dates their closing. You can check it out and see if it is current. http://smallshipcruises.com/travelform.php
-
Babi, that looks like a generic small-ship trip finder. You tell them where you want to go, and they find you a ship that goes there. I did look at their company listings. River Barge Excursions is listed, but as "out of service in 2009-10". Thanks, though.
-
The Phildelphia Flower Show starts today and it looks like it's going tp be a stunner! The theme is Paris and they've build a replica of the first third of the Eiffel Tower at the entrance which includes the light show every hour. I think it is one of the best in the country, so if you are a traveler or a flower enthusiast, put on your bucket list....... Jean
-
When we lived in New England, the Boston Flower show was a must go to.. It made the world seem possible..
Reading a Giles Blunt. I do like him. In this one, his wife who had mental problems is discovered dead and judged a suicide. He is now investigating.
-
Just finished reading Empire of the Summer Moon with a group here. Outstanding history of the plains Indians and, in particular, the Comanche.
Being from the northeast, we didn't study the plains Indians in school. Many of our lakes, rivers and towns are named after eastern Indians: Cayuga, Seneca, Onandaga, Susquehanna, Delaware. I never realized how many different Indian tribes there were in the U.S. before we arrived. We literally conquered an inhabited country and called it our own. Such chutzpah!!
-
I peeked in on your discussion of Empire......i saw some of the discussion about why the woman who had been kidnapped as a child may have reluctant to be rescued. We have so little education about Indians' lifestyles. But i've been reading about the women's roles in Native American communities. In the northeastern nations- Iroquois, Delaware, Powhatan, etc. women were quaranteed social and political rts. In fact, most were matriarchial-women heads of family, and even tribes; matrilineal - the line of descend were thru the mothers; and/or matrilocal- the groom came to live w/ the brides family. No women was forced to marry w/ out her consent, altho families may have made recommendations or arranged the marriage. Divorce was not a shame and in matrilocal tribes, if the husband wasn't behaving, the wife could put his belongings outside the house and they were divorced, unless there was a negotiation between the family and the husband to solve the problem.
Clan mothers sometimes choose chiefs, or the chief was the son of the most important woman of the clan or tribe. They were in dicussions and decisions abt going to war. Bcs they controlled the foodstuffs, they cld control when the men cld go hunting or to war. They were sachems, medical experts and religious leaders. Cockacoeske was "chief" or Queen of the Pamunkey tribe in Virginia for 30 yrs in the last half of the 17th century and signed the treaty w/ the British to end Bacon's Rebellion. Her niece Betty - probably not her Indian name - :P succeeded her for a decade, and she was succeeded by another woman.
Of course, their lives were very difficult, but they were held in much higher esteem then the European women were held in their societies. So, maybe after growing up w/ the Commanche she was not only comfortable there, but when she was back in white society, may have felt less respected and less free.
Jean
-
Plus she carried the stigma of being impregnated by an Indian - life worse than death - and then in those years - shoot she could do better having a black baby and that was hell on wheels - the stigma to women was big time so she probably had few or no friends and would be pointed at and the object of gossip if she left her rooms for any reason.
-
Just went to a lecture from a Black Seminole,, descendent of escaped slaves and the Indians in Florida. Interesting.. A whole subtribe of people.. Never really had realized that many escaped slaves from
Georgia, etc made a beeline for Spanish Florida.. Hmm.
I have Mohawk way way back in my line.. Upstate New York , quite a few of the original Dutchmen took Indian wives.. As long as they became Christian, there did not seem to be a stigma.. But I do have a distant ancestor , who befriended a woman who was abducted as a child by the Indians. She lived until an adult with them, married and had children, but when her husband died, she asked for and returned to the village where she was abducted. Mary Jamison,, she lived in upstate New York and had quite a lot of land given her by the local Indian tribes. Her children were grown when she left the tribe and they remained. My ancestor helped her to settle back iinto white society. Not sure it went well.
-
Steph, I have Mohawk as well, and all! My mother's great great grandmother was a Mohawk squaw and she married a French Canadian named Collier. Her name was changed to Phoebe, so she is on our family rolls as Phoebe Collier. They lived in the Au Sable Forks region of waaaaaay upstate New York and are buried in the cemetery in Jay, New York, which is just down the road a bit from Au Sable Forks. This valley is quite close to Montreal.
I remember studying the Seminoles when I went to school in Florida. Fascinating tribe. And yes, the white Europeans conquered a nation with millions of Native Americans already living in villages from sea to shining sea. Our fore fathers told themselves these were uncivilized vermin and the army followed orders and massacred them. Sad. True. We lack the moral ground upon which to point fingers at others.
-
The Final ballot for Spring Discussions is now open until March 13. The original 14 titles are down to 7! You'll find the Ballot Box in the heading of the Suggestion Box (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=309.msg108936#new)
Remember to choose THREE titles.
-
It was a new bit of info to me that NA women were the traders and businesspeople of most tribes until the European men came and wouldn't trade w/ women, so the NA men took over much of the trade......... And so it goes....... Jean
-
The Mohawks were strictly maternal for chiefs and leaders. They lived in so called Long Houses and the mothers ruled all..
My Mohawks are 12 generations back.. But I still treasure them.
I used to love Indian movies.. Broken arrow...Cochise... Oh me.. Jeff something with the white hair... I never liked John Wayne, but Jeff..
-
Chandler. Jeff Chandler.
-
Yes. I had fantasies about Jeff Chandler. He didn't make many movies; he died very young.
-
He was just gorgeous!
-
JC had bright blue eyes and he looked "solid". I can't tell you what that means, but it came to mind when you mentioned him, and it's a positive for me.
-
By amazing coincidence I am currently reading a book titled: THE FIVE OF HEARTS: An Intimate Portrait of Henry Adams and His Friends 1880-1918 by Patricia O'Toole.
On page 137 it tells of a Lowell Institute lecture Adams gave in Boston in 1876. His lecture was titled: "The Primitive Rights of Women" and he spoke most particularly of the equality of Native American Indian women and of the women in Ancient Egypt!
-
Loved Broken Arrow and Jeff Chandler, too.
-
Had to look up the book you suggested Maryz - what an illustrious group of people are featured in that book - I could not figure out - is it history or a memoir - I didn't get the impression it was fiction...Amazon suggested it was quintessential of the Victorian Golden Age.
-
I don't think it was me, Barb - maybe one of the other Marys. ::)
-
Barbara, are you talking about the book THE FIVE OF HEARTS that I mentioned I am reading?
If so, it is a fascinating biography of Henry and Clover Adams, John and Clara Hay, and Clarence King. A history. All were famous and rich in their day and the book is full of our presidents and statemen of that time, all of whom they knew well. The Adamses and the Hays lived on Lafayette Square here in Washington, D.C. (very close to Annapolis) and the Hay Adams Hotel, one of our nation's capital's finest, is now on the same spot. Henry Adams, great grandson of John Adams, was a famous writer. He had that beyond beautiful and haunting statue placed at his wife Clover's grave in Rock Creek Cemetery here. What a lovely spot to visit, as I have often done. These 5 best friends called themselves the Five of Hearts. They were intellectuals and well educated and world traveled. Great book.
http://hereibe.homestead.com/adams.html
http://www.encore-editions.com/miscellaneous-items/images/grief-by-augustus-st-gaudens-1891-rock-creek-cemetery-washington-d-c
-
Yes, YEs, YES - oh so sorry MaryPage - yes - I thought the people mentioned that are in that book were the whose who of the nineteenth century in America - Sorry about the name mix-up - MaryPage you live in Tennessee is that correct and then MaryZ lives in or near Annapolis - I know what has where I live got to do with anything - somehow that is how I remember not only names but the face and on-line the history of the posts from various folks.
-
Other way around, Barb - I'm in Chattanooga, TN. ::)
-
Ah - super - great - now I've got it - thank you Maryz...
-
Yes, and I am the one who lives in Annapolis. Yes, they were the creme de la creme. I am particularly touched by how much John Hay adored President Lincoln. But they were all extremely interesting people.
-
Jeff Chandler.. Ah, I knew you would come through. And amazing enough..Some others of you admired him as well. Did He marry Debra Pagent.. or were they simply in a movie together??
I keep thinking that there is a story attached to Clover, the statue and Henrys wife?? Did she commit suicide?? or something?? Odd the remnants that remain about something you read many many years ago. Darn..
I remember reading a book quite a while ago that was the Murphys and the Fitzgeralds, the golden age and Paris.. Lots of Americans went there and lived there in that era. A haven for writers and artists.
Has anyone read Clara and Mr. Tiffany?? I think our Friends of the Library group is going over to see the Morse Museum in Winter Park.. I have seen the original many times, but they added a large addition and have put the Daffodil Room in it..We like to tie our annual outing to an author or something and I think we will have a review and/or a discussion of the book the first day.
-
Yes, Clover Adams, an accomplished photographer whose beautiful home faced the White House and who was the most envied and sought after hostess in Washington, committed suicide. Later, Henry Adams had an affair with a Senator's wife who was also General Sherman's niece.
-
Those who took part in the book discussion on "Empire of the Summer Moon" might be interested in knowing that the movie "The Searchers" is on TCM tonight - 7:00 p.m. CST.
Ahhhhh....Jeff Chandler! What a dreamboat.
Steph, I think he was married to Debra Paget - maybe after they were in a movie together?
-
Glad my memory was working on Jeff Chandler and Debra. She seems to have always played an Indian, although I dont think she actually was. She was pretty though. As a blue eyed Blonde, I always wanted to be dark and mysterious when I was young.
-
Apprently we are all confused!?! I looked up debra P. And S. Granger and Searchers, neither Debra P. or stewart G were in Searchers, BUT Jeffrey Hunter WAS, there was the blue -eyes!!! I was wrong abt Grangers eyes, they are brown!
Back-up for my info..... :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Searchers_(film)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debra_Paget
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Granger
-
Jeff Chandler and Debra Paget were never married--to each other. Paget was married and divorced 3 times. Jeff married/divorced once.
-
Wasn't it Natalie Wood who was the young girl that John Wayne sweeps into his arms when we were not sure if he was going to kill her at the end of the Searchers - and was it John Wayne's real son who played the part of the young rancher who follows him because he was concerned he would kill the niece rather than bring her home? I remember Jeff Hunter as having blond hair and I thought he played the part of the guy she was supposed to marry...been years since I saw the movie - the one character I do remember was Deaf Smith sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch after he was scalped going on about his experience - since Deaf Smith in real life escorted Mrs. Dickinson from the Alamo and went on to fight with the Texas Rangers it was fun to laugh at Hollywood.
-
Well! As MaryPage - and maybe others - may have read in another folder, I hope you didn't bother watching "The Searchers"!
IMO, it was the most contrived, cliched bits-and-pieces-of-different-stories that could possibly have been - and totally unrealistic in so many ways!
For one thing, it was set right after the Civil War. But in one scene, the daughter whose "feller" was leaving was wearing jeans (rolled up a la 1956) and a plaid shirt! As soon as she ran (sobbing, of course) back into the cabin (in the middle of a dusty, desert-like nowhere), she was immediately back into a hoop skirted dress and perfectly starched/ironed, sparkingly white apron.
(Can you tell I didn't like this film ???)
Natalie Wood played the older version of the girl the Comanches captured (the object of "The Search").
When her character said plaintively, "Oh, please, take me back. I want to go home", - I turned off the t v and came in here to vent instead of watching the end of the movie.
-
Here is a treat that includes one of the Comanche Myths that still influence our lives today - it is a lovely new special for PBS all shot last Spring in and around Austin - with many of the shots just outside of town where the old ranch houses and grazing cattle fill the countryside. http://www.klru.org/wildflowers/ This may be the entire show which took an hour on TV last night and so get a bit and then you can always come back for more later.
-
What a lovely change of subject, Barb. :) Thank you.
-
For years, when George and I went on road trips, I would point out the wildflowers along the road. He couldn't understand why I was so interested in identifying them. Now, just in the last two years, he sees a wildflower and asks what it is. What a change.
At the moment, I am reading The Nibelungenlied translated by D. G. Mowatt. I never knew the full story even though I loved Wagner's orchestral rendition of the Ring Cycle. I am surprised to find that Sifrid (sic) is only part of the story. I discovered (may have already known this to some degree) that the story appears to be based on older tales including a Norse tale. The Huns get involved later on in the tale. Lots of repetitious words like brave, strong, hero, happy, and joyous. They spend a lot of time, at great expense, to clothe themselves and their guests with the finest materials and gems, not to mention armor and kitting out the horses. It amazes me how often this comes up. I guess like any rich person, they don't want to be caught wearing the same thing twice to a party or war. This tale has everything, a dragon, a dwarf, a magic cloak, knights in shining armor, high born ladies, murder, treasure, jealousy, bravado, jausts and feasts.
-
I downloaded the new debut novel by Tea Obreht today and have gotten thru the first 75 pages. The Tiger's Wife is the title. Has anyone read it yet?
I love the way it started out but she is one for descriptive scenery- over and over. I'll let you know.
-
Frybabe - that gives me hope, as at present my husband is still very much at the former stage! I am always saying "Look at that flower" or "I wonder what that is" - all to no avail. Sometimes he suggests "daffodil". The only person I know who can identify wildflowers is the mother of one of my friends, but she lives miles away.
Here in Aberdeenshire we now have crocuses, snowdrops and even the start of the daffodils AND IT"S SNOWING >:( >:( - I really thought we had finished with all of that, should have known better. I have just been re-reading the first bit of The Wind In The Willows:
"The mole had been working very hard all morning spring cleaning his little home........Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing........It all seemed too good to be true. Hither and thither through the meadows he rambled busily.....finding everywhere birds building, flowers budding, leaves thrusting - everything happy , and progressive, and occupied"
And here is an illustration that make me feel summery:
http://www.artpassions.net/cgi-bin/rackham.pl?../galleries/rackham/willows3.jpg
(This site also has lots of Rackham's illlustrations to The Ring.)
Rosemary
-
Never thought, but Wind in the Willows is definitely a spring type book.. We are having a lot of wind and light cold ( I live in Florida, so none of that cold white stuff). We have an outdoor festival down by the lake today, so if the wind will let up, I will go down later.
Never saw The Searchers.. Just flat out was not a Wayne fan.
-
I enjoyed that, BARB. It's been a while since I drove out into the countryside to enjoy
the bluebonnets, the Indian paintbrush, the Mexican hats. Nothing more beautiful than a
field full of bluebonnets, IMO. My grandmother introduced me to every wildflower around
this part of the country, and I still remember the names of many of them.
Crocuses and snowdrops do show up early, not that we see them in the Gulf Coast country.
We rarely see snow! Daffodils are early bloomers, too. Right now, our early blooms are
the redbud trees..so colorful.
-
Rosemarykaye, what lovely illustrations. I love art done in watercolor and ink which is what some of these appear to be done in.
-
Living in Florida, I do so miss the bulbs.. Tulips, daffodils, crocus,little teeny flowers that pop up in the last snow in New England.. We have some nice flowers, but I still think my roses up north were so much nicer than the ones down here. I love tea Roses and they do not do that well in Florida. YOu have to use too much insecticide and fungicides.
-
What things do well there, Steph? Do you have orange trees? I was amazed at the lemon groves around Sorrento, and I think I remember seeing orange trees in California. My mother sent me a link to a site that shows the flowers of all the different states, but I don't seem to be able to post it. It is on Jacqueline Lawson cards, "An American Sketchbook".
I hand't really thought about the need for all the insecticides - I suppose that is because of the heat?
I too love roses, especially ones with scent. I had a lovely pink climbing rose in my last garden. Do you like the David Austin rose catalogues? -
http://www.davidaustinroses.com/english/advanced.asp
Rosemary
-
One of my surprises when living in southern California was the very large, but scentless, flowers.
Personally, I would be happy with smaller flowers and keep the lovely scents.
-
We're having a strange phenomenen here in Jersey. My snowdrops are usually blooming in Jan and Feb and daffodills in Apr, but both are blooming together today. They look nice together, we have drifts of snowdrops........i don't know how they reproduce, but they must have tiny seeds that get blown on the winds. We started out w/ a plot only on one side of the back yard and every year they have spread to a bigger plot and then all over the property. I love them, being the first flower of the winter/spring. My daffodils bloom over a long period of spring. Some are early, the ones that are blooming now, and others come later w/ the tulips and the hyacinths- love hyacinths.....aaaahhh what a wonderful scent!
-
We've been enjoying oranges from our orange tree for 12 or 13 years now. They are very sweet naval oranges. The tree is in bloom now and smells wonderful. The oranges won't be ready for picking until Dec. It is a long growing season. We have also a lemon tree.
-
My lenten roses have spread up and down the bank in front of my house. They are white, pink and purple, and they make me very happy. The daffodils are pouting this year, but I hope they will be back in profusion next spring. Bulbs are the most satisfactory of flowers. You make an effort once and are rewarded again and again.
-
Oh this all sounds so lovely - oranges and lemons, Lenten roses! I can just imagine them all. I always enjoy the clematis montana that spread vigorously in everyone's gardens here later in the year - also the fuschias, and the lilac trees.
And I agree, bulbs are so rewarding - just stick them in and off they go. Only problem is remembering where you put them and not sticking the fork through them by mistake :)
Rosemary
-
Lilacs.. Oh I did so love the scent. When we built our first house in the town where I grew up, my Dad waited until I was gone for a day and came and planted a lilac outside my bedroom window. It was such a lovely surprise, I think when we moved away I cried harder over losing my lilac bush than the house.
-
Oh yes, Steph - When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd
Santa Fe must be one of the Lilac kingdoms of the world - it is too hot here for us to have lilacs but I remember visiting Sante Fe years ago in the Spring during Spring Break and the town was so filled with lilacs blooming the scent wrapped the entire town so that it creeped into your room at night. For me it was a blessing - smoking was yet not the no, no it has become and a hotel room recked so that the scent of the lilacs was such a relief. Every house and church yard and shopping area was filled with lilac bush after lilac bush - what a heady experience that was.
;) almost as great as driving the roads in Texas in Spring... ;)
-
We loved Santa Fe when we visited it in the RV.. A bit far for me, but it was such a lovely place with lots of things to do and small museums.. We have a friend there and he loves the opera company and gets to be an extra in a lot of things. As he says, he just must keep his mouth shut since he still has a french accent.
-
I grew up on the Gulf Coast, so I never saw a lilac until I went to Colorado to do summer work when I was in college. But that was the first thing I planted when we moved to TN. TN is at the southern edge of where a lilac will live and bloom. But, in Houston, we did have hedges of cape jasmines with their wonderful scent.
-
MaryZ, that brings back memories. My in-laws lived in St. Croix, Virgin Islands and had jasmine growing over the steps down to their drive. What a wonderful scent.
-
MaryZ and Pedln - what wonderful scenes/scents you conjure up. And Steph, what a father you had! Fancy planting a lilac just so that you could smell its lovely fragrance from your room
When my daughter first started boarding at school, I did from time to time buy her little fragrant plants to put in her room. Predictably, every one of them was left to die a horrible death - not watered, not put in the light, etc. In the end she asked me if I could buy her some artificial flowers!
I remember reading a novel years ago in which the heroine went to Provence; the scent of the lavender fields must have been well described because I can remember reading about it to this day, even though the story was decidedly Mills & Boonish. We had lavender in our garden in London when I was little - my mother used to make lavender bags with it. I did grow it in my garden in Aberdeen, but it never seemed to flourish - I just don't think it ever got enough sun and drought.
-
Lilacs are so beautiful, and ALAS, I'm terribly alergic to their smell. Sigh.
-
Oh how sad.. I have confederate Jasmin close to my back door . It is a really greedy climber andmust be cut back or it will take over the house, but I do so love the scent when it blooms. One of my very few scented flowers. On the other hand, several of my herbs give off strong scents.
I do love the books written by the Texan on a woman, who used to be a lawyer , who owns a herb shop.. I know.. her name is just in front of me, but the senior moment has taken over. Anyway, I have to have read close to a dozen of the herb books.. Lots of hints on usage as wel.
-
Steph - I googled it and I think it is:
Susan Wittig Albert - China Bayles
Isn't the internet an amazing thing?!
I haven't read any of these books but they will now join my TBR list. I only need about 10 lifetimes to get to the end :) - but fortunately I cheat and skip about a bit, and often decide I no longer want to read something I listed. It's great to feel so free and not be stuck with stuff you have to read any more.
Rosemary
-
It's great to feel so free and not be stuck with stuff you have to read any more.
Amen! to that, ROSEMARY.
-
Yes, SusanWittig Albert.. I remembered it later yesterday.The information on herbs is excellent and I love that series.She writes several and I cant get into the ones she does with her husband, but I do love the China Bayles series.
-
Just finished Nora Roberts' Chesapeake Blue. I guess it wld be considered one of Roberts "romancizes". It's contemporary, set in small town Maryland. The protagonist is an adult artist who had an alcoholic, abusive mother who was "resucued" from her by his grandfather who had adopted three other sons, who were adults when the boy came to live w/ them. It's a great story of how "a family" can be made and doesn't have to be biological. I enjoyed it, as i do most of Roberts' stories. Altho, her book list is so long, she can't be writing them all herself....... Jean
-
I l ike the JD Robb series that Roberts writes, but the romances do not turn me on. Too much how beautiful or handsome everyone has to be.. Like you, I suspect she has assistants writing. Too many books in too short a time. I met her once when I owned a book store. A good deal older than her pictures.
-
Did one of you mention "The Bridge" by Doug Marlette? I've finally gotten into it abt 100 pages. I think it's going to be a good story, but his describing EVERYTHING in detail may hv me skimming some pages...... Jean
-
mabel1015j ... I hope you will consider reading the other 3 in that Chesapeake series, if you liked Seth's story. I think the first one, about Cameron, is excellent: Sea Swept. Then there is Rising Tide and Inner Harbor which tell the stories of Ethan and Phillip.
I agree she can't be writing all of these herself...way too much difference in style, I think, and substance. There are several other authors I think are, in reality, multiple writers as well.
jane
-
jane : What a cute bunnykins for Easter.
-
Just probably 40 pages in
The Help.. It picked up, but still strikes me as far fetched. Maybe not in Mississippi though..
-
No, for the 'deep South', I would say it is pretty much on track for that time period. Not at
all far-fetched.
-
I enjoyed "The Help". After reading reviews I found that those that came from the south didn't like it and felt it wasn't true to life.
-
The problem is that there has been a wide brush used to paint the South with one viewpoint - like everywhere there were different experiences for different folks. There is also an attitude of judgment by folks who have not lived in the South and who do not want to own their own history.
-
In my experience - my mother always had a maid - the Help was only descriptive of upper class southern women. Most middle-class people had a maid, but we never lived in a house with more than one bathroom until after I left home. And she and Mother worked side by side on a lot of jobs. The last maid she had worked for her more than twenty years. After Mother went to a retirement home I helped her financially as long as she lived. There was a lot of affection in many of these relationships. I grew up in middle Tennessee and possibly things were different in Alabama.
And yes, I have met women who are really that mean.
-
I grew up in Texas, then we moved to TN after our kids were born. Although The Help was not descriptive of my personal experience, I know that such situations did exist. I really liked the book.
-
I grew up in Texas, then we moved to TN after our kids were born. Although The Help was not descriptive of my personal experience, I know that such situations did exist. I really liked the book.
-
I, too, really liked the book, and it was one of our f2f Library Book Club selections, and had the most turnout of any of our discussions, many came there were not previously members of our group. We were privileged to have a lovely young black woman attend, and she really added to our discussion as her mother had been a maid, and yes, some of the things were very true, both about "mean" employers and the ideas they held about maids and black people in general.
-
The Help is one of the best books I've read in a while.
-
I finished
The Help,, but I guess that my family experiences in Delaware ( where I grew up) and South Carolina where I lived for a while were so different from the book.. Like someone else, I grew up in a house with one bathroom.. My Mom and her maid worked side by side. We always thought of Martha as one of the family. She would get so excited if Mom got some new furniture because that meant, that she could have the older stuff.. It was always startling to walk into her house. It was a duplicate of Moms.. When my Mother died, she grieved as much as I did..Oh well. the book was an interesting view of the south.. Not my south, but someones..
-
Tomereader, I'm glad to hear your f2f group had such a successful discussion on The Help. I'm leading the discussion for my f2f group in June, and will be rereading it soon. It's interesting reading the different experiences folks here have had. My first 6 years were spent in Washington D.C. and my mother had a maid. My brother remembers her as a live-in, but I don't remember that. My mother grew up in very small towns in Wisconsin, taught a few years in Montana, and I doubt very much that she had ever seen a black person, let alone speak to one, before coming to DC.
My 82-year-old brother still talks about when he was about 5 or 6 he got mad at Agnes, the maid, and used the "n" word. She was made of pretty stern stuff and hauled him off to my mother and said, "you tell your mother what you said," and he got in trouble twice that day.
Then came the war, we moved to Chicago, and that was the end of Help.
-
Maids were in and out of my life based on where we lived - when my children were young we had Bertha who made the best bread pudding every week after she cleaned the kitchen. Her biggest help was doing the ironing - and so while I stripped beds and gathered the laundry she set up the ironing board and we got it done. When I consider a job today - we would find few where the employee/employer relationship is that sharing and that filled with the good humor that went with two women rolling up their sleeves and getting it done.
I am sure like many a working mother and wife, especially during those years when most white women did not work out of their house there was the feeling of wanting to be home by the help and the additional burden that all working women carry of doing the job and then coming home to take care of your own children and household -
I did not know anyone that was cruel or extra demanding - I have heard of this trait but never encountered it - most often there were several of us who were friends who shared the same maid, each having her one or two days a week. And that arrangement filtered through so much of our life since there always seemed to be a family member of the maid who worked as a sales lady or as the staff that picked up after the sale in either the local department store or women's dress shop and she would call us when something came in that matched our style or colors because, she knew all of our tastes from the maid that told her all about how we lived and what we liked and didn't like - and so it was a community of women and we each had our role not unlike the community that ran any large house only we were a bunch of small individual houses.
-
I am a Southerner, and everyone I knew (but what, when all is said and done, can anyone know of what goes on behind other closed doors) was very close to their "help" and very considerate and helpful. We had a full-time live-in "colored" maid/nanny who had her own bedroom, tiny but adequate, off the kitchen and her own tiny bathroom. The day help could use that bathroom also.
I remember as a still quite young child meeting this dear woman's mother: old and shriveled up and bent over, she was. I was told she had been a slave, and was excited a few years later in a history class to be able to say I had met "a real live slave." Ah, what children do not take in!
As a young wife myself, I used to do as Barbara describes: share a cleaning lady/ironer with my galfriends. My day was Thursday for dear Louise.
-
I am sure it was very different in the US, but when I was a child my mother was the cleaner. Her own mother also went out and cleaned people's houses, and "took in" washing (all done by hand and wrung through a mangle in the back garden) to try to make ends meet - this was in addition to bringing up 5 children on a tiny income. I think in both generations the employers felt that they were "friends" with the cleaners, but neither my mother nor my grandmother felt that way - they felt subservient, poor, and obliged to grovel.
On the other hand, my mother's oldest sister emigrated to S Africa in the early 1950s and had the same black maid until she died. My mother visited her in later life, and reported that my aunt and Iris were devoted to one another, and had the kind of relationship that some of you have described between your mothers and their maids.
I have had cleaners from time to time. I always ran around so much tidying up before they came that in the end I decided life was easier just wallowing in my own slobdom.
Rosemary
-
MaryPage - if the maid and the day help wanted to use the family bathroom, could they?
I don't think i ever knew anyone who had fulltime "help". How do you all feel about present day use of the term "maid"? Has it taken on a denigrating meaning, or is it the appropriate professional term to use? If it's denigrating, what is the respectful term to use? Have any of you talked about that in your group discussions? ...... Jean
-
Today here in Austin most maids are either Mexican American, Mexican or from El Salvidor - and of course they, as all help in the home use our bathrooms and our sinks and our whatever - it was just less formal - a more intimate relationship - but it was/is a job - if you hire someone to repair your computer or do a job of organizing your files you do not send them down the street to take a break - if the gardener comes in to use the John you don't send him out behind the tool shed - you do have to tease him to remove his shoes - the same for someone you hired to help with the care of your home and family. - Now there may be some antiques that need a special kind of care and that may be something the help needs to know about but for the most part those who help in a home are more expert then we in the care of things.
There are two movies that probably depict better then many - there was one with Montgomery Clift and Jo Van Fleet years ago about the Tennessee Valley Authority buying up the land - called Wild River - it was the daughter who falls in love with Montgomery Clift who has the maid help her with her children and then for a more formal look there is Driving Miss Daisy - the movie.
-
I am not speaking for all Australian women, of course, but most of the women I know who have a "cleaning lady" are those who work full-time and are often professionals who leave money for the cleaning lady and may never see her. To call that cleaning lady a maid would be very bad form indeed. As for Australian women having cleaning ladies in the earlier days, I should imagine that only the rich could afford them. It is difficult to talk about nationality, because if you have citizenship you are Australian wherever you come from.
-
when I was working full time I had a 'cleaner' who came in weekly - At the time I had teenaged boys making such a mess - The 'cleaner' came from an agency and I rarely saw her/them. She/they did a good job for years. I always 'tidied-up' the night before and sometimes felt that that was the bigger job. I never thought of the 'cleaner' as a 'maid' or the 'help'
They were hired to do a job and did it - I paid the agency by cheque every month. That might sound cold blooded but it worked.
Roshanarose Have you read Elizabeth Jolley's Newspaper of Claremont Street. The protagonist is a cleaner in one of the more affluent suburbs of Perth and she is 'shared' by several of her neighbours.
The character is known as 'Weekly' - The 'Newspaper' in the title refers to the way Weekly spreads the gossip. It's a typical Jolley novel - quirky and a little off-beat and about more than cleaning houses.
-
Ann Purser has written a whole series of mysteries based on a lady in a small village in England who decided to clean house for people and her adventures and her expansion into a maid service.. Interesting.
-
I think in both generations the employers felt that they were "friends" with the cleaners,
but neither my mother nor my grandmother felt that way - they felt subservient, poor, and
obliged to grovel.
I suspect that may have been the situation in many Southern homes as well, ROSEMARY. Even
the most well-meaning of employers would be unlikely to understand the feelings of their
'colored' help. Even where they enjoyed a good relationship, that was entirely dependent
on the attitude of the employer.
-
The woman who cleans for me now - white, East Tennessean, well-spoken, a high school graduate - surely does not think of herself as a maid. She considers herself a cleaning professional, and frequently brings her tools with her. She has cleaned for me for more than ten years. I value her highly and she knows it because I tell her so every week. We have become friends. The relationship I had with colored cleaners in the past was quite different. Years ago the assumption was in-equality; blacks were just not considered on the same level as whites and it affected both employer and employee. The relationship could be cordial and even affectionate, but it reflected what my husband's grandfather once said: " Decent white people take care of their N-----s. " Mercifully I think that is mostly gone from the society where I live, but I think whites are generally more comfortable with whites and Blacks are more comfortable with Blacks. In another generation maybe this will not be so.
-
You are right Ursa about the next generation being more comfortable w/ mixed cultures, they have benefited from the integration laws, in both the north and the south. They have gone to school w/ each other, been team members in both sports and business, have worked beside each other, and even, minimally, worshipped beside each other.
Our family is very multi-cultural. We have Calvinist Prebyterians, both black and white, black and white Methodists and Baptists, and Catholics. By ancestry we are Hispanic, African-American, Native American, and Irish and German American. We have four inter-cultural marriages: 3 black/white couples and one black/hispanic couple and one lesbian partnership. All the extended family, and there are dozens, except one, has grown and accepted into the various families all of these people. Our summer cookouts are a lot of fun and have a lot of great food, an added benefit....... Jean
-
Steph: here is a list of Ann Purser books. Which series is the one you mentioned?
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/p/ann-purser/ (http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/p/ann-purser/)
-
Good on you, Jean!
-
Gumtree - Of course I have heard of Elizabeth Jolley, but have not read her (as yet)! At the moment my full-time occupation is cross referencing The Odyssey. I am very interested in the geography of the story and the original mythology. It is keeping me busy and my TBR pile continues to grow, but alas, unread.
-
Roshanarose: I think everyone in the Odyssey discussion appreciates your contributions. I know I certainly do - and should have said so sooner.
Thank you - and please keep up the good work but don't forget a little change now and then is good too!
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
As far as I know all of her books are about the same cleaning person..
I tried and tried with Nevada Barr"s13 and 1/2.. Just flat out hated it..
I like her Anna, but this.. No..
-
I gave up on the latest Nevada Barr also. I don't know what heppened to her writing skills; the earlier books are so far superior one would think they were written by someone else. I didn't much care for her biography either - Seeking enlightenment hat by hat.
-
Nevada Barr has a new series???? I've only seen the Anna Pigeon (national parks) books.
-
The new one is still about Anna Pigeon, but she has lost her fearlessness.
-
Thanks, ursa. Well, she is getting a bit older. ::)
-
Gumtree - I forgot to tell you that I am also reading The Amber Room; The Cold Room; The Stonehenge Story; The Strain and a few more. They are all pretty light. What I meant was that the Odyssey is obsessing me. I am not seeking praise, just hoping that my synapses continue to synapse. Thanks for your thoughts.
-
No.. 13 and a half is not a series.. Absolutely not.. It is a terror type,, my least favorite writing.. Not a fun read,, why I stopped.The last Anna Pigeon however was quite odd and a little too violent as well. Why oh why do best selling authors feel impelled to change a character so much.
-
Maybe they're simply tired of that character, STEPH, but their publishers keep demanding more.
So long as it sells, right?
-
Talk about tired characters how about tired books - I've been using this trick for over a year now with such great success that I have to share it - I buy so many of my books used from Amazon's Market Place - first think I do when I open the package is use a plastic cleaner on the cover - now the really old editions have those cloth covers and so no, cannot use plastic cleaner on a cloth cover or on some of the rougher paper covers - however most have either a jacket or the actual cover with some sort of shiny look to the paper - Well I use Novos products but any plastic cleaner should work - I like the Novos because they even have one that reduces scratches and fine lines - anyhow the plastic cleaner does a great job cleaning them up so they are again a joy to handle -
The other I found is that gung cleaner - for the life of me I cannot think of its name - but it takes off any tape - in fact anything stuck on walls and other surfaces - well a few passes of that on a rag and those pesky difficult to remove price tags with the bar codes are gone.
-
Barb, the gloss on covers of books and magazines is called "varnish" in the print trade. I never looked into what they actually use as the varnish. I never thought about using a cleaner on a book right out of the box. Thanks for the tip.
As an aside, the inside pages of some more expensive books, which look semi-glossy, are clay coated. Clay coated papers make for higher quality printing, but they also make books a lot heavier. My textbooks are mega heavy because they are both clay coated and oversized. It is no wonder students often use those wheeled bags or enormous backpacks. Try carrying several of those around along with other tools necessary for classes. Ouch, indeed.
-
Wonder if Barb's cleaner would work on my face? ???
-
The Elizabeth Jolley boook sounds like a good read, so I just ordered it from Alibris. And I was happy to note that my library has a large collection of Ann Purser novels. Will have to check them out.
My weekly email from Seattle Times Books has sent me to Shelf Talk, a blog of the Seattle Public Library. Has anyone read The Lovers by Vendela Vida. Both title and author are new names to me. Recently widowed after 26 years, Yvonne rents a house near the beach in Turkey where she spent her honeymoon, hoping for a restorative good time. But such is not to be. The reviews from the library and Amazon are very positive. It may end up in my TBR pile.
Shelf Talk -- The Lovers (http://shelftalk.spl.org/2011/03/15/staff-faves-the-lovers-and-the-true-deceiver/#more-19859)
-
Sounds interesting pedln - here it is with a few of the first pages to read on Amazon. Amazon - The Lovers (http://www.amazon.com/Lovers-Novel-Vendela-Vida/dp/0060828390/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301257389&sr=8-1) for some reason it does not appear to be a sought after book - it was only published June of 2010 and already there is a resale for only Nintyfive cents plus shipping as compared to other books with the same name that were published last year or even earlier and they are still commanding a higher used book price. .
-
ursamajor - GMTA re Barb's cleaner :o
-
Barbara: I've been cleaning used books for years just to get the grime off - sometimes I do the same with library books if they feel uncomfortable - they come up so well. I take those 'pesky' sticky price tags off with a dab of eucalyptus oil - works wonders - well it would wouldn't it being extracted from a gumtree :D
-
My used books from Amazon and from my swap club are almost entirely clean and tidy..and close to brand new. Must be lucky.. now at the Library book sale.. whew.. we had so many donations, we had to dump. Why do people think that mildewed books or books falling apart will be salable is beyond me.
-
Steph, those are probably the same people who donate broken toys for Christmas and worn out clothing to the Salvation Army. Why do they bother when it would be so much easier for them to just put them in the trash!
Sally
-
I have an even simpler solution. I wear my worn-out clothes around the house or to work
in the yard. By the time even I can't wear them, they're ready for the rag bag. ;)
-
I'm the same, Babi. And the rags, if they are cotten based, get used for cleaning until they are filthy. Only then, do they get thrown out.
-
I think I can tell you why people donate books that are unsalable. They come from a former home or a friend who has died, and they figure you can throw them away with less pain than it would cause them.
-
Or they want you to give them a huge in $$ tax receipt so they can deduct it from their taxes as a charitable contribution.
One old geezer brought in books on hog raising from the 1940s and couldn't understand why we didn't want them. Others bring old print encyclopedias. DUH! Our Lib policy includes statements that we can refuse donations and/or dispose of them as we see fit. Some are so nasty, as others have said, that you don't want to touch them without gloves as you toss them in the recycle boxes.
jane
-
Jane, I remember a university professor donating quite a few books to our high school library in January or February, then being rather put out because I would not write some receipt saying they had been donated in December, before the end of the previous year.
-
Pedln...Oh, yeah...been there, too.
-
Re unsalable things, there's a very fast growing problem here of people dumping their rubbish in or around charity bins so they don't have to pay dump fees. The poor charities are drowning under a sea of junk, and running out of money, as they have to foot the bill.
Dump fees are escalating rapidly, but it's so unfair to people like the Salvo's who work tirelessly giving out food etc.
Then the offenders scream blue murder if the Salvo's can't help them in their time of need.
-
To my amazement, I had two donations of Encyclopedias to the book sale and both went quickly.. In both cases, it was an afterschool program that did not have both one or two computers and the kids could use them to do reports etc. But both sets were relatively new.
-
Back in the mid-nineties, when I wanted to get rid of but could not bear to throw out my children's World Book encyclopedia set, which was quite dated, I advertized it as a freebie in my local free tabloid, which would run give-away ads for nothing. I was happy that a single mother with an elementary school daughter came by and looked at it and happily took it home. Hey, dated or not, it was better than nothing for them!
-
Our library's book sales almost always have sets of encyclopedias for sale - and they always sell.
-
I wonder if any editions ever become collectors items. My brother still has the Compton's Pictured Encyclopedia that my parents purchased back in the 1930's. I was always enchanted with the Woodsman's stories and Aesop-like tales of the animals.
-
Pedln - My parents had bought my brother and I the whole set of Arthur Mee's encyclopaedias when we were children. I, too, can vividly remember the illustrations and the contents. They were my introduction to learning for learnings sake.
-
When my younger son graduated from High School, we lived in a teeny New Hampshire town. The library was the old one room schoolhouse and the librarian was simply a resident who loved books.. I gave them our Encyclopedias and they were so thrilled. It was the most current set they had. I always felt as if that was a real gift of love.
-
I didn't know any of those tiny schools still existed, STEPH. It's hard to imagine a
state schoolboard accepting a school taught by "a resident who loved books". Is it still
there, do you know?
-
N o, I must not have been clear. It was the town library.. It was originallly a one room schoolhouse..But when they built the new schools, the town retained it, turned the original upstairs apartment into a meeting room and downstairs was the library. Very small but still a good one..The resident had gotten books on how to do the Dewey Decimal, etc and it was really a lovely litle place.. Hours very restricted. Three days a week, but the residents loved it and we had all of our meetings upstairs in the meeting room.
-
OOPs. No, STEPH, you were perfectly clear. I just skimmed the post too quickly. I'm also
currently reading a book set in Montana in the early 1900's, complete with one-room
schoolhouses, and I think my brain slipped a cog. :-[
-
In that area of New Hampshire, almost all of the "one room" schoolhouses were two story with a basement..They were the center of the tiny towns. Often they had been converted into the townhall upstairs.. This town outgrew it for that, but did use the upstairs all the time for meetings. The staircase was in the hall, so the library could be closed and the upstairs used at night.
-
Just read The Bridge by David Marlette. I think someone here had mentioned it which got it on my tbr list. It's a first novel by DM. It sounds like it may be partially autobiographical. A nationally famous political cartoonist gets fired from his NY paper and returns to his native N Carolina. He inadvertantly begins to learn an unknown history of his family who was involved in the textile labor strikes in the 30's. I don't like stories w/flashbacks, but i don't see another way he could have told this story. I enjoyed it....... Jean
-
I just put Lovers on my Kindle. Its way too easy, wait til the bill comes.
Alsoo ordered a bunch of cheap books from B&N I had a gift card and still have a
coupon from social living. I hope I stop getting bargins soon but I do love the social living.
Pedlin I think of you so often and wish you were here. Snoqualmie Falls is lilterally flowing out of its banks. I wish you could see it. Record amounts of rain and it just keeps coming week after week after week. It is really horrible. # 2 son is coming over tommorow mornning to bring me a new riding lawn mower and one of his dogs to keep. I need the lawn mower that is if it stops raining but I really don't need the dog. Oh well, for some of you that might remember the dog is Martha's sister.
-
how long do you have to keep the dog? Hope it's temporary!
-
Ah Judy, the dog is for company, I would bet.. I will let you do Riding lawn mowers. That is why I live in a townhouse.. I have a small garden area and that is plenty for me.
-
At least Martha will be delighted to have her sister for company. ;D
-
Alas, has Alice Hoffman finally gone over to the "dark" side??? I checked out 2 of her newest books, The Story Sisters" and The Red Garden. I started with Story Sisters, read 120 pages and closed the book. Too dark and depressing for me at the current time. I am hoping The Red Garden will be better. Have any of you read either of these books? I really liked her earlier books, esp. Turtle Moon; and am hoping that The Red Garden is not dark!
Sally
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I have read early Alice, but as I recall, I stopped when she just got too dark.
-
I have to keep the dog for probably 6 days. They haven't showed up yet. I keep thwe lawn mower for ever or so he says. My old lawn mower has had it. Coca is Martha's sister out little shitzu that was killed by a car. We now have 2 shitzu's named Emma and Eddie and no I really don't need another dog to watch but what are you going to do? I can hardly wait to see this lawn mower, what he says it is and what it is may well be 2 different things. Stephanie I moved out of a place where they did eveything for me coulsn't stand it for many reasons.
Now if it would just warm up.
-
Ah, well, six days is doable. And it is getting warmer. Hang in there, JUDY.
-
I live in a townhouse.They do the lawns etc. That is it.I even have a little herb garden,that I tend.
-
We have 1/2 acre which is entirely too much at this stage in life. Just a herb garden sounds great to me.
-
6days is a piece of cake if its not COLD not SNOWING not HAILING. oTHER THAN THAT IT IS A WALK IN THE PARK.
Have to hurry down to Fairwinds to take a 93 year old lady to get her hair done and then take her to Fred Meyer. Shes probably the funniest person on the planet but its a little hard to handle her...
Went down at 12:30 and its really 1:30 so I came back home and was researching Calendula and now I am gone..............................
-
Fla Jean I have about 1/2 acre too and I planated some lilys yesterday , bright yellow and georgeous before the hail and snow hit them. Are you finding it hard to get up and down? I can barely get up after I get down.
-
I just completed, with great satisfation, Ivan Doig's "Dancing at the Rascal Fair". I am
enchanted with Mr. Doig, and plan to read the rest of his books.
-
Judy, my son bought me one of those little stools/benches that you can sit on or turn up side down to kneel on. Then you can use the bottom ends to push yourself up easily when you kneel on it.
-
FlaJean -- please send picture of said stood ASAP so I can get up !!!
Judy -- you have snow? now?
-
If you go to Home Depot on the Internet and put in GKS-2 you can see what it looks like. It is very sturdy and strong. I use mine a LOT.
-
A photo of the garden kneeler/seat is here: http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-Garden-Center-Garden-Tools-Parts-Accessories/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbx6v/R-202494197/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
You can click to ZOOM a larger photo or get a few other views.
There are similar items on amazon at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Folding+Seat+Garden+Kneeler&x=16&y=23
-
Cheaper at Amazon, too, I note. What a clever idea. Why is it I never thought of something
like that and made my fortune? ::)
-
What I need just now is learning how to nail things into concrete.. My beautiful lattice, that MDH put up and patiently wove the confederate jasmine in, fell down in our recent storm.. The heavy vines are woven perfectly, but the lattice itself broke off in the ground. I think that is I can penetrate the concrete post, I can put up some little wooden struts and then lace the lattice into it.. At least I hope so.
-
Stephanie. I have zero tool skills but I found this video about putting a screw into concrete: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTj8GR6WdqY&feature=related
-
I got lucky and my younger son showed up on his way home from his shooting match. He put in a hook to catch the lattice and it seems ok. Then he pressure cleaned my drive way, and has stayed the night. I took him out for his choice of dinner ( Red Lobster, he does love seafood) and was so delighted to see the lattice up and the confederate jasmine waving bravely and smelling wonderful.
But for reasons that escape me, I woke this morning crying.. Sometimes memories are overwhelming.
-
Aaaww, Steph, sometimes crying is just what we need to do. Isn't it nice to have a son close by? Even my independent husband sends out a call for our son more often then in the past. It's a bonding experience for them and i get to cook some of our sons favorite dishes.
The aromas coming from our yard are wonderful right now also. Daffodils, hyacinths, love their smells, that was a major reason for planting the ones i did. The look of the front and back yards changes everyday. Mother nature is lovely. ........ Jean
-
Thank you, Marcie, for posting that additional info. Thanks for being so helpful in looking up things on the Internet. Sometimes I just don't google the right words. :)
-
Thanks, FlaJean. I enjoy looking things up. I can't help myself. I find it amazing that so much information is just a click away. I'm glad that I'm living in the age of the personal computer. Of course, the Star Trek computer, would be even better :-)
-
Ah yes, a computer who talks to you and reasons out what you really want.. Of course if you remember HAL did that and it didnt turn out well.
-
LOL, Steph. Yes, HAL went a bit too far!!
-
Thank you Marcie and FlaJean, and Babi too for mentioning Amazon. Home Depot is OUT OF STOCK, but now that you've told me what to search under, I've found several interesting places.
-
I'm w/ you Marcie abt being glad to live in the age of the internet. I had a treat last week - a high school friend had disappeared from my radar after our college years. She didn't come to any of the class reunions and when i would ask people about her they could tell me she was teaching in Calif and had gotten married but no one knew her married name or exactly where she was. Last week someone from our high schl class sent out an email abt a luncheon. I replied back to "reply all", but hadn't looked thru the whole list. About a half hour later i got an email from my "lost" friend. I was so happy tohear from her.
Jean
-
That's great, JEAN! I know that's a luncheon you're really looking forward to.
-
Every once in a while, an old neighbor reappears on Facebook.. I find it delightful to hear from them.. We moved so much and people disappeared from our lives.. I do love the internet for bringing them back to me.
-
I never cease to be amazed at how fast you can put something on the Search, only simple question, and get the answer immediately. ::)
My g-son decided to give me some artwork on my living room wall, with a
pen. So I went immediately to the search machine and put in----How to remove ink marks from a painted wall------and the preferred way was with
spray net, and it worked perfectly (with some muscle power and a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser).
Ahh, this modern world!!!!!
Joy
-
Joy, I'm always amazed at the Household Hints I can find on an internet search!
I've just gotten my reserved copy of Jean Auel's latest, The Land of Painted Caves. It's the final book in her "Earth's Children" series. (Thank goodness for an author that knows when to stop writing about the same subject!!!)
Her writing style is a bit annoying but I do want to read it because I've seen the Lascaux Cave Paintings (actually, the authentic replica next to the original cave, which is closed to the public), as well as the overhang shelters at Cougnac.
It's 757 pages long so I must read steadily because it's so new in the library system that I doubt I'll be able to recheck it.
-
I noticed at the library that the new Jean Auel is on the lists of requests for months on end. I read the first one, started the second,but never finished it.. However I remember when I owned the store, I never could keep a copy of it in stock.. People loved them.
-
I very much liked Jean Auel, and my dtr. Valerie loves her. I'll be sure and let her know there
is a new one out. I'll have to check my patience supply to decide if I want to tackle a book
that size. I do seem to be less and less willing to take on long-term projects in anything.
-
Babi, I would go ahead with it.. Long Term are probably good for us.
-
Well, that's a thought, STEPH. I'll have to think about that. Long-term projects are, what...
optinistic? :)
-
"Income tax returns are the most imaginative fiction being written today." (Herman Wouk)
-
Yes,, I believe we need long term projects at our age.. Looking further ahead is probably good for us. I know that I always needs goals and some need to be long term.. I try hard to plan ahead at least a year..Silly, but I love structure.
-
I find it impossible to plan far ahead, STEPH. I never know from day to day what I will be
able to do. I must satisfy my planning instincts with occasional 'to do' lists and the weekly
grocery list! 8)
-
Just starting an interesting and well written book: Sins of the House of Borgia, by Sarah Bower. The protagonist is a Jewish woman who "converts" to Christianity to bcm a lady-in-waiting to Lucrezia Borgia. The cover leads me to thinking this might be considered an historical romance by some, but the detail is very interesting. The cruelty of the powerful to the non-powerful makes me very glad i live in 21st century America. But then reading any history has always made me feel that way. At this point -80 pages in- i wld say if you like historical fiction to give it a try. It is one of those books where i have to sit w/ my ipad near by to look up some words that are not familiar to me - usually something of the time.
I mentioned her conversion bcs she has interesting questions about both religions as she lives in her new " Christian world". It is only a small part of the story, at least at this point.
Jean
-
thanks for the URL Marie I am going to buy one of those stools but I would have to kneel because I am sure that I couldn't bend. Nothing seems to work anymore.
I had 2 guys working in the yard today so of course I was out there working with them and I wonder why I can't get up now. hehe
Read 2 good books in the last few days. Chasing Lilacs by Carla Stewart and The Writing Circle by Corinne Demas. I especially enjoyed the last one. I was not aware that there were writing "circles". It seems to be like a book club but just for writers and they are somewhat small in numbers. It was a very enjoyable book.
Don's dementia continues on the downhill slope but we manage with me yelling about half the time. I can't seem to remember that he doesn't really know what hes doing. But let me tell you he thinks he knows what he'd doing and therein lies the problem.
-
Oh Judy, it is so hard with dementia.. My Mother in law was like Don.She truly believed she remembered everything. She was furious when her bridge partners would no longer play bridge with her, but truth was, she had forgotten all of the rules and what she was bidding. It never improves.. But just remember the earlier days of your life. You are upbeat and funny and I know that you have lovely memories of your life with him.
-
My sympathies, JUDY. I could kneel, but I wouldn't be able to get up again. :-\
-
I found LUCREZIA BORGIA by Sarah Bradford a really great read.
-
MaryPage, I have 1904 volume called Lucretia Borgia: According to Original Documents and Correspondence of Her Day by Ferdinand Gregorivius. The book is dedicated to Don Michelangelo, Gaetani Duke of Sermoneta who were enemies of the Borgias. I haven't touched it yet. It would be fun to compare the info.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Agree comparison would be fun. Rather suspect the book you found portrays her as thoroughly evil. I really tend to doubt that now.
-
Rather suspect the book you found portrays her as thoroughly evil
I suspect the same MaryPage. However, the intro doesn't hint at it yet. In the meantime, I am trying to confirm some of what he states in his letter to the Duke and in the intro. For instance, in his letter to the Duke he says "...you carried to King Victor Emmanuel in Florence the declaration of allegiance of the Roman populace." The Duke did have his hand in politics, but I can't find anything specific about him, just generalities and not much at that.
In the intro, the author lists a whole bunch of Borgia books published in the 1800's. I love this comment about an article in Civilta Cattolica, a Jesuit publication:
...in an article dated March 15, 1873, whose author made no effort to defend Alexander's character, simply because, in the light of absolutely authentic historical documents, it was no longer possible to save it.
I just realized we are in the fiction section. Is your book a non-fiction or historical fiction?
-
The Bordias were an interesting family. Now all these years later, it is hard to really know what was happening at that period. I have read at least two books that are diametrically opposite of each other on Lucrezia. ONe for.. One against.. Oh well. she was lively for sure.
-
If the book is dedicated to an enemy of the Borgias, it's most likely not going to be
saying much good about the woman. One would have to be wary of a decidedly slanted view.
Do you believe your book has a fairer view, MARYPAGE? It would be interesting to learn that
Lucrezia was not quite the horror we thought. Assassination and murder were quite common in that era, though.
-
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2004/oct/23/featuresreviews.guardianreview4
This book is a real non-fiction biography. As fast paced and fascinating as fiction. I believe the writer to be a serious historian and making a sincere effort to get as close to the truth as possible.
The only sin I found in Lucrezia was that she held up a travel party of hundreds for several days in order to "wash her hair." I have to allow for that announcement possibly meaning something else, such as menstral cramps, etc.
Lucrezia was 39 years old when she died.
-
A comment on history as told and history as written: in the beginning, as you all know perfectly well, but not all will have stopped to consider it, ALL history was word of mouth. Do you remember the whisper around the table game we played as children at birthday parties? The last in the circle would speak out loud what they had just had whispered in their ear, and it would be NOTHING like what was started around the circle!
So gossip built upon gossip built upon gossip. And politics and tribal hatred came into it big time. You hear the lies being told flat out and blatantly in public today? Much worse then, because no one could trace anything back to the source. Remember: everyone illiterate, no radio, no tv, no newspapers, no printing, no telephone, and so on and on.
Now serious historians can go to the Vatican and other sources of what was written down (wealthy homes, museums, private collections, city and state archives, and so forth) and can actually travel world over to find authentic items and can come up with something closer to reality. I do not believe in Lucrezia's case it is a matter of white-washing at all. I think she was a scape goat.
-
My Lucretia Borgia book, so far, cites correspondence and other documentation. The author had access to various city and family records, including the Duke's family records. It remains to be seen if the author slants what is documented to any particular side. I will be on the lookout for biased interpretations.
-
I am just at the part in The Sins of the House of Borgia - fiction- where it might be the story of L holding up the 100's on the trip. This author portrays it as the whole troup needing a rest. Of course, it always astounds me when i've read abt royalty/aristocracy traveling w/hoardes of people and expecting towns and other aristocracy to feed and shelter them. It gives me an understanding of the need to build castles w/ 60-100 rooms. In this book, Sarah Bower, author, says there were a thousand people in L's trip to get married for the third time. Can you imagine? A thousand people landing in any town today would be a crises, let alone in the middle ages. ....... Again, so glad i live where i do, when i do.
In general, this author has depicted LB as a fairly moderate, typically demanding, member of the aristocracy.
Jean
-
Yes, and evidently they moved often - one of the docents at one of the houses in Britain explained the reason we saw so much art work with everyone on the road is they had to go from castle to castle because the immediate area was hunted out and the 'sewage' was needing time without use - here the book you are reading explains better what it was like to be on the move.
-
Think of our current day celebraties.. They love to travel with a group of people.. I think it is the need to be waited on and catered to.
-
Sounds good, MARYPAGE. But as the review noted, "the point was that, as far as the
talking, writing, worrying classes of Renaissance Italy were concerned, the Borgias were
a byword for the dark arts..." I grant you gossip does run wild, but I don't doubt for
a minute that at least some of the Borgias were participating in the fine old Italian
game of political assassinations.
History repeats itself, doesn't it? Think of the example set by that dear lady, Nero's
mother. :(
Ah, yes, JEAN. Those annual Royal processions about the country were one way of taking
some of the expense of maintaining a royal court off the royal pocketbook. And BARB mentions
a couple more excellent reasons.
-
My favorite Ugh! story is that of the palace of Versailles, said to be the most beautiful, biggest jewel on the planet in the latter half of the seventeenth century. It had no bathrooms. Full to bursting with nobility on hand at the command of the king to pay him court, these beautiful people relieved themselves in the numerous stairwells. And this long after the Borgias!
Babi, I completely agree that the Borgias, the pope and his sons and mistresses, were dreadful people. I just find it hard to believe the very young Lucrezia was more than a spoiled pawn in their plans. I do not think she planned murder, simony, incest, and all the rest. In short, I do not believe she was a plotter or a planner, but just bait. My sense of the way it was, but not one I wish particularly to foist upon anyone else. Just putting it out there and wondering how all the rest of you feel about it.
-
I am reading Jodi Picoult's newest fiction. I believe that it is called: "Sing Me Home". However, my book is in the bathroom, and my memory is filled with blank spots these days.
I find the book both thought provoking, and interesting. It is the story of a woman who desperately wants a child, getting divorced by her husband. Then, she finds herself attracted to another woman. She and her husband had been involved in fertility treatments, and still have some frozen embryos. She and her new partner, want to bring those to term, and keep the children. Her ex husband, wants to give them to his religious brother and sister in law.
It is different from what I normally read. Sure gives me a lot to think about! I do reccomend it.
Sheila
-
This was apparently a very smart family, there's no reason to think L was not as smart. My feeling is that she was not as bad as the worst stories abt her - owing to the way women were often portrayed as witches and evil and the way men liked to scapegoat women as the seductress. Goodness knows, the men couldn't help themselves! But, since L grew up in this conniving, skeming family, and she was obviously as smart as the men in her family, there is reason to believe that she indulged in some of that, if only to protect herself against them and have some control of her life. ....... I believe she was not a mere pawn....... Jean
-
Cant say that Jody Picoult is not current. I read her off and on, but rarely agree with her endings.
-
'Bait" was probably the most common use of beautiful daughters/sisters among the powerful
families of that era, MARYPAGE. It could very well be true of Lucrezia. Is your book
offering any solid evidence that may be the case? I really don't know enough about her
to have an opinion. I've just been accepting the general historical view.
INteresting, SHEILA. It would come down, wouldn't it, to who has the legal ownership of
those embryos. Is it embryos, or sperm? I would think both husband and wife would share
ownership(?) of embryos. Ownership of frozen sperm might depend on State law regarding the
rights of a wife.
-
Babi, I thought the evidence offered was pretty convincing, which is why I changed my opinion of Lucrezia. Actually, it disappointed me as well, because I am a goblet collector, and I have this gorgeous goblet that also looks somehow evil and I have called it my Lucrezia Borgia goblet for, oh, about 45 years now, imagining she used it, or one like it, to poison her husbands. Now I feel absolutely certain she poisoned no husbands. Nary a one! Bummer!
It has been several years now since I blitzed through everything Borgia I could lay my hands on, and I am on to other adventures in history now, and this has only come up because of the current series on Showtime.
It is embryos. Remember, sperm is that icky stuff only the males of our species possess and we'd all be a lot better off if they had a lot less of it and a lot fewer years of ability to make it. Ah well, I did not get appointed in charge of Biology. Pity! I amuse myself greatly thinking of the changes I would make.
-
;D So sorry you missed out on a poisoning cup, MARYPAGE!
True, sperm is sticky but they freeze that, too. As for the awkward imperatives of sperm production, it was no doubt useful in the beginning, when there was an entire world to populate. Now, I agree, a reduction in sperm and testosterone would no doubt help bring about a more peaceful world.
I have on occasion amused myself with thinking what I would do if I ran the world. Sadly,
while I know the result I want, I must admit to having no real grasp of how to bring it about.
None of us poor mortals can see the whole picture and understand all the possible consequences
of our actions. ???
-
Babi, we are soul mates!
What fun we would have meeting and conversing.
-
Well, my memory failed me, again. Jodi Piccoult's latest book is titled: "Sing You Home". I am in the section about the lawsuit the ex wife filed against her ex. They both want ownership of the frozen embryos. I am finding it fascinating.
A back story concerns the exwife's job as a music terapist. She works with all ages, from seniors in retirement homes, to school children. It is something I knew nothing about.
Sheila
-
I recently finished reading Sing you Home also. It raises some real ethical questions. It also is thought provoking about same sex unions. However, the ending is total fantasy and spoiled the effect of the book as far as I am concerned.
Sounds as though Babi and Mary Page shared my "When I'm dictator ......" fantasy.
-
We did! We did!
Only I never once considered the title "dictator." Goddess suits me better.
-
hahaha...I've always said when I'm Queen of the World...but, hey, Goddess or Empress also works for me!! ;D
-
LOL................Empress, or Goddess.............have never thought about what I would do in that position. It sounds like fun to play that fantasy out.
Sheila
-
I hate to tell you all, but I once had a female Corgi who had the job of empress all sewn up. She knew from birth that she was the ruler and enforced this for almost 15 years.. I think the world is a bit too much of a mess, but I do wish that I had invented a universal religon. Would save all of this religious nonsense of whose god is the best.
-
Steph...I don't think a universal religion would fix the mess, but then I'm one of those people who think people use the guise of "religion" as an excuse/justification for power. We've had splits in congregations among mainline religions here in our little town, and I believe the Middle East is fraught with different "sects" of the same Islamic religion who are fighting each other.
So...what fun books are you reading? We're having a dismal spring...rain, cold, windy, and that calls for a fun, no horror or gore book for me. What do you all suggest?
It doesn't have to be a specific title...but what authors do you enjoy again and again? I need names. :D
jane
-
I've just finished a J.A.Jance - one of the authors I like. This one is called Hour of the Hunter - a thriller. Pretty good story. I'd like to have more about the characters.
-
Jane said, "I don't think a universal religion would fix the mess, but then I'm one of those people who think people use the guise of "religion" as an excuse/justification for power."
I agree with that! But I've figured it out, for me at least. No god. LOL.
I've been sorting and shelving a big bunch of books I've had stacked on the floor of my spare room for too long. Amazing the books I'd forgotten I own! One of my "forgotten" books I just started reading is THE TOKAIDO ROAD; A NOVEL OF FEUDAL JAPAN by Lucia St. Clair Robson. I'm finding it a fascinating read. Set in 18th-century feudal Japan, the daughter of a lord who was forced to commit suicide has become a courtesan in the pleasure district of Edo--later Tokyo--to support herself rather than become a nun as had her mother. She vows revenge on Lord Kira who she knows is responsible for her father's death. Robson writes so well you really feel you are back in feudal Japan.
Marge
-
Vincent Bugliosi, a famous author and prosecutor, has a new book out that sounds absolutely fascinating. He was on Morning Joe on MSNBC this morning discussing it. "Divinity of Doubt: The God Question."
-
Thanks, MaryPage, I put Bugliosi's book on hold at my library. It does sound interesting.
Marj
-
I gave up on Sins of the House of Borgia. Altho i think the author had a good handle on the historical environment, it really turned out to be an "historical romance", or that would be my label. The protagonist was obssessed with Cesare even tho he gave her little reason to be and i got bored with that narrative. I was hoping to get more info about the Borgias, but it didn't seem to be headed that way.
I'm about halfway thru my third Covington book, From the Heart of Covington. It's just as wonderful as the first two. I love the way she portrays each character's different personality and keeps them true to it. Hannah's youngest dgt has come to recuperate after a tragic accident - i won't give it all away - and they have things to work thru. All the characters that we met in the first two books continue in normal, but not dull, events of real life. I think her books are so popular because probably many of us wish we could, in our "senior-life", find such a comfortable setting w/ good friends who care about us in such a nice big- ole house and be reasonably healthy and productive.
I guess this is really "fantasy" fiction. ;D ........ Jean
-
Jean, I am longing to read another Covington book. I have read the first one, and I see that one of the Edinburgh libraries has "Gardens of Covington" - have you read that? I think I am going to have to part with my spondoolies and buy some of the others from Amazon, as you just do not see them much in libraries or second hand shops here - I can't understand why as it is relatively easy to come across Debbie Macomber, Jennifer Chiaverini, etc, and I think Joan Medlicott is better than both of them. I really miss the characters in her book.
Rosemary
-
Yes, I read with great envy the places that have a community of elders. Each has a separate area, but there is a main living room, kitchen , etc. Sounds just right for me. Privacy when I need it, but company when I venture out..
I saw Elizabeth Edwards book yesterday and had to have it.. Good, but not light reading.
Light reading for me just now is a silly space opera.. Space Doc.. Really fun.
-
I've read all the Covington series. I love the for pure comfort. Another author I enjoy for "comfort" is Sandra Dallas. My ftf book club just finished her "Prayers for Sale". Next month's selection for ftf is Cutting for Stone. I have downloaded it on my Kindle, but haven't started it yet.
Sally
-
Bought all of the Covingtons in paperback, promptly put little stickers with numbers on them on the front of each so as to see at a quick glance what order they were to be read in, over time read four and passed them on to a daughter. She just began the second one and loves them for being peaceful in this tumultuous world. Will get back to number 5 one of these days. It is nice to know I have them, like chocolates tucked away in a hidey-hole.
-
My input.... I definitely believe in God, but I don't think we can grasp who/what God
is. Religion is our effort to explain God. The problem with 'religion', is that once it
becomes influential it attracts the kind of men who seek power and influence. Not all of
them are there for that reason of course. But the power seekers who reach the top then
seek to implement 'dogmas' that increase their influence and power.
The original purpose of the church was a good one, and that purpose still remains. But
one has to be wary of the 'rules' and mandates of the 'religion', whichever one it may be.
Religion and Faith are not the same thing, at all, at all.
Uh, ROSEMARY. Spondoolies?? ???
-
Babi, I totally agree with you.
-
Uh, ROSEMARY. Spondoolies??
Babi - Ha! we say Spondulix - or maybe its spondulicks. - It's slang for dough, filthy lucre, lovely m-o-n-e-y !!
-
Ahhhhh, the things we learn on Seniorlearn! ;) ....... Jean
-
Great statement Babi -
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I have given up the Christian concept of God. So many terrible things have been done in the name of religious beliefs. I do believe there is a God. But, I also believe that each culture sees God a bit differently from the concept of other believers. If there is an afterlife, I think we are all in for a big surprise!
Sheila
-
I agree with that concept, as well.
The human animal has an instinct to believe stories as told it through the years from infancy. Once upon a time we sat around fires and stories were told from memory, with lapse of memory filling the gaps with chunks of imagination on the part of the story teller. So it was these stories changed, evolved, grew with the times. This was eons before written language was invented and carved into stone and wood (the wood not surviving to us!), before paper was invented and inks discovered, and writing taught to a very few: usually scribes whose duties were religious or financial.
Very, very few of us have time and training to research what has been written down. If we did, we would discover truths in history that would astonish and dismay. Much of what we believe to be true is invention. I am not one to wish to convert anyone to my way of belief, my belief number one being that that is wrong and hurtful, so I will write none of the astonishing facts here. There are simply heaps of books, all well researched and documented, out in the libraries and bookstores now. I say again, get and read Vincent Bugliosi's "Divinity of Doubt: The God Question."
-
I agree Babi..The current trend seems to be mega churches who are always actually the creation of one person.. They are not religon as I understand it, but the cult of personality.
Faith.. people have faith so many different ways and always hold it dear.
Some of the most inspiring people I have ever known as rarely conventional religous..
-
I have just started reading the "Covington" series. I downloaded the first on to my IPad. I'm enjoying it.
-
I read one of the Covington, but it was a little too too idealized for me..
-
Stephanie
What do you mean by "idealized" ?
I'm reading the first one and I'm finding I can relate to how they feel losing their husbands. Maybe it's because I recently lost mine. I don't think I will read all of them but I know I will finish this one.
-
Jeriron - I really like them, but I know what Steph means - although they have all had troubles, these are all miraculously resolved by one of them inheriting a huge country house - which is then miraculously transformed into something out of Homes & Gardens by a band of willing, able and reliable local tradesmen. Somehow there are no real financial issues, and everything in the garden is lovely, as they say.
I like books like this when I am in the right mood, as they are so comforting, and I do think Joan Medlicott develops the characters well - I did care about them and want to know what happened to them next - but I don't think they would be everyone's cup of tea.
Having said that, I really do think I will treat myself to the rest of the series. Has anyone got a list of them in order?
Rosemary
-
http://www.fictfact.com/search/?q=Joan%20Medlicott
I kept thinking they sure got a lot of work done on that house for the money they had to spend. My daughter doesn't want to read any books if there isn't a happy ending.
At this point in my life I wish I had a couple of friends that I could do that with.
-
Thanks Jeriron.
I agree entirely with your daughter, I am not interested in anything but happy endings these days. I too find the Covington set-up very attractive, but even when I think of my closest and dearest female friends, I am not sure that we could put up with one another at permanent close quarters. However, I suppose you learn to compromise and in return you are surrounded by supportive friendship and people with whom to share things, which would be well worth it.
Rosemary
-
Just finished Winter Sea (http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Sea-Susanna-Kearsley/dp/1402241372/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1303851678&sr=1-1)- I had not read a Historical Novel in oh I bet 30 years - the writing was not near as good as some of the light fiction we have been reading or Joan Medlicott but the story was gripping and one scene had my tears flowing like I hadn't cried in years and years over a book for heaven's sake but it does have an exceptionally happy ending.
Patrick Taylor (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_44?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=patrick+taylor+irish+country+series+in+order&sprefix=patrick+taylor+irish+country+series+in+order) has a really nice series going about rural Doctors pre WWII in Ireland - you will even laugh out loud while reading his books.
And then for pure fun and a feeling of returning to childhood but with a grown up look that is accommodated in these stories, William Horwood received permission from the Grahame family to further the story of Wind in the Willows - There are several books but the one called The Willows and Beyond (http://www.amazon.com/Willows-Beyond-William-Horwood/dp/B003NHRAUA/ref=pd_sim_b_1) I found to be particularly wonderful.
-
Did not read the original Covington, this one was later.. By then all seemed to be a bit too pretty for me..
I need strong characters in books.. Not necessarily a happy ending, but some one in the book that I can identify with.. That and a plot.. So many recent books dont go anywhere.. Seems to be the coming thing for young authors..
-
I really enjoyed the Covington series. I read them in order and the first several were definitely the best. Steph, sometimes i need "pretty" in my books. Life deals us enough "unpretty" things and the news innundates us with reality. I enjoy escaping now and then. Ever since my husband's death, I am finding the need for "happy ending" books. Steph, this is off the subject; but how are you liking your car. It's time for me to buy a new one and am thinking of the Honda CRV.
Sally
-
I felt I should start with the first book to get a feel for the characters and how they got to where they are about getting the farm. Maybe I'm not strong myself so I can relate to them.
-
Love my serious history reading above all things, yet appreciate the Covington series for restful, comfort reading. I identify strongly with Grace, except I do not cook and cannot imagine ever choosing to live with 2 other women rather than the man I love. Himself and I, while he lived, were most consoled in this life when we could be together in the same place.
Also identify with Hannah, for I am her type of avid gardener. Guess that makes me mostly Grace, but with Hannah's hobby. Amelia and I have zip in common.
-
I can relate to Grace a lot. But like you MaryPage I cooked back when my husband worked and we had small children But once he retired I retired from the kitchen and he took over because he enjoyed cooking. Now I'm eating frozen dinners because food isn't of much important to me.
Except for when Ron worked we did everything together. Never went out without him so I'm not sure I could live with other women but at this point in time I do wish I had a few to talk to.
The one thing I had incommon with Amelia is feeling I wanted to end my life when my husbands ended.
-
Found Medlicott's site with the titles in order - http://www.joanmedlicott.com/
-
Someone asked.. I love the CRV. It has been easy for me to drive.. easy on gas.. comfortable on the longer trips.. has room for my double dog crate in the back with no problems .. All in all a good choice for me..
MDH and I were inseparable for the 21 years of retirement. Before that, he traveled extensively for business and we had weekends and the phone, but that worked OK as well. I love to cook, but do little for just me.. I am embarking on a new plan this week. Have invited several friends for dinner on Friday night.. We are all singles.. I am making a pot roast, since that is something singles never ever fix for themselves.. Will make cornbread as well and one of the others is making dessert.. I think this will be good. Company for dinner.. a nice dinner... Hmm..
-
Steph, I was the one asking about the CRV. Thanks for the info. What a good idea about having friends over for dinner. I have 4 other widows in my neighborhood. I think I'll do the same.
Sally
-
Sally,, Yes do try. I am so excited about tonight. I do love my car. It is a light blue.. I even conquered the drive through car wash, so that it gets its regular wash and shine..
I am still working On Resilience and Space Doc .. Finished the Denise Swanson..
-
What has happened to this discussion? I see no postings after April 29. Have I missed something?
-
I'm reading AGINCOURT by Barnard Cornwell and loving it! I don't read much historical fiction, preferring non-fiction history, but this is great. Heard about it from reading Margaret Atwood's Robber Bride, where one of the characters loved reading about famous battles. The battle of Agincourt was fought between the English and the French in 1415, when Henry V of England was convinced that France belonged to him. Outnumbered 6 to 1 the English made a brilliant victory. It has some of the most creative cuss words I've ever heard, and some are very funny. I've learned so much fascinating stuff about medieval archery and other weapons. If I were younger, I'd sign up for archery lessons! Now I want to read Shakespeare's Henry V.
Marj
(And I, like F.D.R. and Eleanor, hate war! LOL.)
-
I, too, have been wondering about the lack of postings on this site. Surely, someone is readning fiction. However, it it not me. I am into both non fiction, and mysteries. Keep checking this site out, to see if anyone is posting about new finds in the fiction section.
Sheila
-
I am reading Cutting for Stone for my ftf reading group. It's very good, so far. Have any of you read it?
Sally
-
I just finished The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley - an intriguing story. I will be thinking about it for awhile.
-
I loved Walter Mosley's book Red Death with Easy Rawlings. Have meant to read more of Mosley's books. I'll put The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey on my TBR list. Thanks.
Marj
-
"Agincourt" is one I think I would enjoy, too. It's on my 'someday' mental
listing at present. I read "Cutting for Stone", SALLY, and thought it was
great.
Of course there are a lot of fiction readers, but since so much of it is
covered in specfic genres like mystery and sci/fi, I guess we neglect to
post our reading here as well. I'll try to keep that in mind. Right now I'm
reading another one of those light little whimsies from the 'Beatrix Potter'
series. They are such a nice rest from the heavier stuff.
-
One of my books just now is 97 Orchard St., which is a some true, some fiction account of a single tenement in Manhattan at the turn of the century and each ethnic group and what they cooked and ate when they lived there. Fun.. I have just finished the German group and I think that the Irish are next.
-
I took a break from the wars in Agincourt and just finished Agatha Christie's Why Didn't They Ask Evans? Very good stand alone. Wish it were part of a series, as I loved the characters Bobby Jones and his friend Lady Frances Derwent and their sleuthing. You love her wit, and her imagination gets them into some great light-hearted adventure. It's such fun watching them figure out who dunnit.
Now back to medieval France and the war!
Marj
-
I l ike Agathas stand alone much more than I do Hercule.. He always drove me nuts.
-
Ah, another reader who gets annoyed with Poirot. I thought I was all alone.
Mind you, I think I've read them all but I don't think Christie played fair with this
series. So often the key clue was a passing remark someone made, never
referred to again until the grand finale. How can one possibly detect a 'clue' in
that?!
-
Babi - I don't think I have ever solved a single murder mystery, whether written by Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers, Donna Leon, Ian Rankin or whoever - for me it is all about atmosphere and setting, and I am so dumb with the clues that I have long given up trying to see whodunnit :D
I quite like Poirot but I like Miss Marple better.
Rosemary
-
Of the Poirot I have read, I can say that none of them are as good as the TV productions. The writing seems very simple and not much in the way of background description. I did not read Murder on the Orient Express. Most of what I read were the short stories. Miss Marple is better rounded out, and so was And Then There Were None.
-
Put my name down on the list of those who love Christie but are not fond of the Hercule Poirot ones. Murder on the Orient Express was an exception, and I think I would have loved that better had it been a Miss Marple or not of a particular detective. I guess the bottom line is that I flat out did not like Poirot, either in the books or in his many reincarnations.
-
I loved Tuppence and Tommy, but she only used them a few times. They had such verve and Miss Marple made sense..Glad to know that others have the same feelings about Poiret.
-
Oh, yes, Miss Marple is a lifetime favorite. I think...I hope..I haven't missed a
single one of her stories.
-
OK for those of you that are "Miss Marple" fans below is TCM (Turner Classic Movies)Schedule for today. I have never seen any of the Margaret Rutherford ones so I think I will watch a couple and DVR a couple.
1:30 PM Murder She Said (1961)
When nobody will believe she witnessed a murder, elderly sleuth Miss Marple takes a job as a maid to ferret out clues.
Dir: George Pollock Cast: Margaret Rutherford, Arthur Kennedy, Muriel Pavlow.
BW-86 mins, TV-G, CC, Letterbox Format
3:00 PM Murder At The Gallop (1963)
Elderly sleuth Miss Marple suspects foul play when an old friend is supposedly scared to death by a cat.
Dir: George Pollock Cast: Margaret Rutherford, Robert Morley, Flora Robson.
BW-81 mins, TV-G, CC, Letterbox Format
4:30 PM Murder Most Foul (1964)
Elderly sleuth Miss Marple joins a small-town theatre to investigate a murder.
Dir: George Pollock Cast: Margaret Rutherford, Ron Moody, Charles Tingwell.
BW-91 mins, TV-G, CC, Letterbox Format
6:15 PM Murder Ahoy (1964)
Elderly sleuth Miss Marple takes to the seas to investigate murder on a naval training ship.
Dir: George Pollock Cast: Margaret Rutherford, Lionel Jeffries, Charles Tingwell.
-
I ADORED Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple, and had a difficult time adjusting to the plethora of new ones since those old black and white moving pictures that are nearly as old as I!
I have loved all of the new ones, eventually. Here is a list of some of the actresses who have played her. I would have loved to have seen Gracie Fields as Miss Marple; she was a huge favorite of mine. Immortal. I have never heard of Dulcie Gray.
Gracie Fields
Margaret Rutherford
Angela Lansbury
Dulcie Gray
Helen Hayes
Joan Hickson
Geraldine McEwan
Julia McKenzie
-
here is a web site with photos of
every Miss Marple since Margaret Rutherford (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/8413673/Miss-Marple-in-pictures-from-Margaret-Rutherford-to-Jennifer-Garner.html?image=8)
-
Barbara, thanks for that link. I can't believe that Disney is completely re-making a version of Miss Marple with Jennifer Garner!! What are they thinking???
-
Jennifer Garner???? Oh me, thats just flat out stupid.. Actually I always pictured Miss Marple as a small delicate lady who wore shawls and smiled a lot..I dont watch the Rutherford or actually any of the others, since I like to retain my image of her.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I did watch 4 of the Margaret Rutherford "Miss Marple" yesterday. Because I hadn't seen her before but I found I liked Joan Hickson. There's one thing being old but another to being ugly and old.
-
Bite your tongue,JERIRON!! :P
-
I take your point and am not the slightest bit offended by your opinion, but I have to tell you that Margaret Rutherford was, in her time, one of the jolliest actors on stage or screen and we all loved her to bits and to me she WAS Miss Marple!
Having seen her now, you can appreciate what I meant when I said the new Miss Marples took some adjusting on my part!
However, I agree that the new ones are better by the book.
-
I never watch mysteries on TV. For one thing, the characters never match what I have in my imagination from the book's characters. For another, you have to watch every minute or you might miss something and then the rest doesn't make sense. I never watch any TV that closely, for that matter. Reading a book, you can back up and re-read a page or paragraph if you miss something, but that's not possible on TV.
Marj
-
I of couse liked Helen Hayes and thought she would have made a great Miss Marple although she only did one or two I think.
Oh I'm also with most of you on liking Miss Marple better the Poirot. I just realized I have Miss Marple with Joan Hickson. Maybe I'll watch them again. The box doesn't say CC though so I will have to put one in and find out.
Why do we Americans think we can copy English films/tv shows and get it just as good as they did. and next season they are doing a remake of Prime Suspect with someone named Maria Bello. I have no idea who she is. But I bet there will be car chases and lots of guns in this one.
-
I think Joan Hickson was definitely the best one, although I thought Julia McKenzie came a good second. Joan Hickson was the one who really brought the character to the wider TV audience, and I think that many people would see her as "being" Miss Marple.
Rosemary
-
Rosemary
I agree. As I said I had never seen one with Rutherford until yesterday.
-
Posted this is "the library", but it goes here too, i guess.
Am reading a delightful Haywood Smith fiction based near Atlanta; a middle -aged, uptight, controlling banker has a stroke and is in a coma for 6 months. When he is given a special treatment to wake him from his coma, he awakes a different personality - impulsive, cussing, repentant (for his past meanness, espescially to his wife), do-gooder, who horrifies his uptight, upper crust Mother and sometimes his wife and children. It has humor and thought provoking bits and pieces.
Have a Chiaverini - A Christmas Quilt, and am still reading the second volume of John Jakes' The Rebels. I read the Jakes' series decades ago, but am enjoying them again. Historical fiction, well researched. He includes real historical characters in, obviously fictional, but possible circumstances: Ben Franklin, Henry Knox, Thomas Jefferson, Geo Washington, etc. Yes, all male, i think the series was written in the 70's, before there was a new concentration
on women in history......i recommend these if you haven't read them....... Jean
-
I have never been a Jakes fan, but we did sell a lot of him in my used bookstore.. He is popular, more with men than women.
I seem to be stuck in not quite fiction at the moment.. 97 Orchard is a story of a tenement in Manhattan(true) with the different ethnic groups who lived there in sequence and what they ate and how they cooked it. Interesting.. Then I picked up the Tracy Kidder about the Nursing Home and the two gentlemen,, again non fiction. Both are good.. Reading a Chris Bohjalian.. Secrets of Eden as my bed book. I loved his Midwife, but this one is not holding my attention.
-
jeriron, Maria Bello is a very competent actress. You don't see her in many movies, most of them are independent movies. I can't picture her as the lead detective in Prime Suspect, but then, how does one replace Helen Mirren? Duh...you can't. I think Maria will give it a good go, and it will depend on the writing as to how good the re-make is.
-
Just realized i didn't give you the title of the Smith book....... Waking Up in Dixie. I finished it last night and i definitly recommend it...... Jean
-
I've just finished reading "An Object of Beauty" by Steve Martin (yes, the comedian). I loved it!
The jacket blurb says "With twenty-two lush, four-color art reproductions throughout, (the book) is both a primer on the business of fine art collecting and a close study of the personalities that make it run."
Main character Lacey Yeager is "groomed at Sotheby's and hungry to keep climbing the social and career ladders set before her....Her ascension to the highest tiers of (the New York art dealer world) parallels the soaring heights - and, at times, the darkest lows - of the art world and the country from the late 1990's through today."
The book was published last fall and the last chapters take place in 2009. I thought it was well written.
I've never been to New York but i've spent all afternoon Googling locations, street level pictures and information about all the restaurants mentioned in the book. Wow!
-
I understand that Steve Martins book is excellent. I am just so far behind on reading at this point.
Not sure if I read slower or have less time.. Hmm.
-
I've read the Steve Martin book, and although I think he's fabulous, I wasn't too impressed with this book. I did finish it, but never really did care very much for the characters. Glad you liked it better, Callie.
-
Maryz, The fact that I spent all afternoon with the internet and a map of NYC looking up information, locations and pictures of the many restaurants where the characters ate - instead of looking up information about the art work/artists mentioned throughout the book is probably a good indication of the intellectual level at which I read fiction. :-\
-
Callie, I just love to take a map and trace a character's movements or places mentioned in a book. My favorites, after all these years, are still Oliver Twist and Two Years Before the Mast, More recently, on the internet with maps and pix of the area for Guy Gavriel Kay's Ysabel (Aix-en-Province) and Steve Berry's The Templar Legacy(Rennes-le-Chateau). In the case of the latter, I also looked up the historical characters involved. The place is tourist attraction now. Fascinating.
http://www.renneslechateau.com/default-uk.htm
-
We both love to read with maps in hand. And spent a lot of time in NM and AZ following the back roads from Tony Hillerman's books. He was very precise, and it was easily done. But, I've got to at least care about the characters. ;D
-
Gee - maybe I'm not as "out of the loop" as I thought! :D :D
I have a map of Medieval England that is literally taped together because I've used it so much.
-
I am always overcome with joy if I come across another of A McCall Smith's Edinburgh locations (the Scottish Gallery, Glass & Thompson, Valvolla & Crolla...). And the other day I was sitting in a coffee shop at Fettes, when It suddenly dawned on me (please make allowances.... ::) that the police station across the road is of course the Fettes of Ian Rankin's Rebus novels (- I think Rebus is based at St Leonard's but goes frequently to the station at Fettes). And Cramond always makes me think of Miss Jean Brodie.
Barbara Pym refers to locations in London that I remember from my youth, although I don't think she would recognise most of them today. And I love the way that Donna Leon includes a map of Venice at the front/back of her books - I like to try to see what is happening where. Surely there are few things more evocative than maps - Callie, the jigsaw I just finished that was a map of mediaeval Britain was absolutely fascinating - I wish they still made maps with little pictures of what they thought was there. We also have a 1960s puzzle of the USA with illustrations - little people doing whatever is (or was then) associated with each state - I suppose it's a children's puzzle really but I love it.
Rosemary
-
When I lived north of Boston in the 80's,I could retrace Spensers trips and where Susan was supposed to live in Cambridge.. I always wanted to go back to the southwest and trace Hillermans books. I know that he used real places..So I envy you for getting to do so. There is another Boston Author.. Linda Barnes and Carlotta, her taxi cab driver heroine.. She also uses real places.
-
Those map puzzles with figures are great educational tools, too. The images
stick with you so much better than notes from a lecture. Cowboys, cows and oil wells for
Texas!
And songs. Having listened to "I'm as corny as Kansas in August" from South Pacific, I have a
fact I will always remember. Kansas grows a LOT of corn. ;)
-
Steph, there are some great Elderhostels (Road Scholars programs) in Hillerman Country - and a number that have sections on his writings. We've done several out there.
-
I have been doing Elderhostels close to home, but I may look into the Hillerman ones.. He is such a favorite author or mine and his characters always feel so real.
-
The best Elderhostel we ever attended was at Farmington, NM. We studied the Navaho and the works of Tony Hillerman. One of the Navaho code talkers, now a college professor, gave us a lecture on the difficulty of educating their children for today's world without destroying their native culture. I would like to do it again.
-
Ursamajor - were we there at the same one? We've done that one, too. It is fabulous! Pat Westerbrook happened to be at that one when we were.
Do you live in TN? You mentioned something about going to the Knoxville library.
-
maryz - I love your Cherokee saying.
Rosemary - Have you found that fish 'n' chips shop that sells battered haggis yet? I never really could get into Ian Rankin books, probably because I am not fond of the actor who plays his detective in movies. He has about as much charisma as a cockroach. He was quite cute as the brother in "The Mummy's Curse" though. I think he is a better comedian than detective. imho the same applies to Hugh Lawrie (sp) in "House". I can never take him seriously after his role as the crazy prince in Blackadder. Two classic cases of typecasting.
-
Thanks, Rose. Would you believe it was the quote in my "quote-acrostic" puzzle in the paper the other day?
-
I will make time to look up New Mexico in my Elderhostel catalogue and see what is up for the rest of the year.
I am now the champion toilet seat installer.. I read the directions.. carefully followed them and voila.. new seat.. Hooray for me.
-
Good on You, Steph!
I had to get a new one last year, and just yelped for my son-in-law. He bought and installed it and I wrote the check.
Piece of cake my way. YOUR way makes me want to dash for my bed and hide under the covers!
-
Hoorah, STEPH! But if you disappear, should we assume you fell in? ;)
-
Okay, Steph, are you ready to "install a new flushing mechanism?" The float thingy?
-
The floaty thing. My sons installed some new ones last year, so hopefully that will be a future project for me.
I have also gotten out a ladder and changed the batteries in my husbands beloved weather station. It is quite high on the wall for various reasons, this is the reporting end, not the end I look at.
Now to figure out the garage vacuum.. The car needs vacuuming..
-
Roshanarose - no, haven't come across the battered haggis yet myself, although I imagine that you can get in a lot of chip shops, I will have a look. The battered mars bar is everywhere.
Ken Stott was much better, IMO, than John Hannah, the first actor who played Rebus. In the recent adaptation of Nigel Slater's "Toast" (his story of his childhood) Ken Stott played Nigel's father - he was brilliant, I didn't even realise he "was" Rebus until my husband worked it out.
I agree about Hugh Laurie - for me he will always be the various characters he played in Blackadder, which the girls and I love and often re-watch. However, I believe he has made an absolute fortune doing House (which I have never seen).
Rosemary
-
I used to watch 'House' faithfully and then enough - Hugh Laurie with all his incarnations in the part does have a tongue in cheek sensibility that is constant - the part has him cold - then in love - playing the field then back in love - a drug addict - in recovery and a successful after recovery - fired, sued, hired back - on and on it goes - and nothing seems to hit his soul so to speak - so that under it all you know beats the heart of Lieutenant George -
House's personal hygiene standards and his clever solutions to extraordinary illness as well as his perceptive views on everyone is part of the character so it is a bit like watching Lieutenant George's twin without the ribaldry of support characters so that it is not a comedy - could be that it is actually Hugh Laurie brining Hugh Laurie to all his characters.
For me he is always Bertie Wooster...
-
Idont watch House any more. mdh loved it, but I never did. I cannot imagine how anyone would tolerate the behavior of the character anywhere.. He might heal them, but the cost is amazing to me.. Not a fun show.. I dont think I have ever seen him in the British series stuff.. Will try to some day.
-
The first couple of seasons, hubby and I watched House and enjoyed. As his character became more and more dependent on pain killers, he became nastier and nastier, and I couldn't see how any of his doctors could even stand to work with him. This season, we have watched maybe one or two episodes and then only because there was nothing else appealing to us on TV. I've given up on the series. He's also made a couple of movies that I've seen. He is a good actor.
-
I am still having fun with netflix.. Watching old tv shows that I misses and some of the HBO shows that are interesting as well..
-
Re House: I watched a couple of times because a couple of our daughters loved the show. I found the character totally unsympathetic and unpleasant, so quit watching it. Just different responses to characters. ::)
-
I can't watch House. Every time I've breezed over it, people were in a hospital of talking about somebody's illness. I've been to a hospital enough times that I sure don't want to watch anything connected with one! And House needs a good shave. Yuk!
Marj
-
:D
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
The two days unshaven look is popular with younger actors. I am sure that will cease when the whiskers start being grey..
A mistake of mine.. It is Dorothy Allred Solomon, not Ruth. She writes well.. From her point of view, there has been much contension in the Mormon faith ever since plural marriage was annulled.. Amazing. She also seems to look at the women and how much they were not in favor of this.
-
House is unquestionably an infuriating character; a total b_____, to say it plainly. He is the complete cynic. He is also brilliant to the point of genius. The thing is, it's a wonderful piece of acting by Hugh Laurie. He never breaks character, even when you really wish he would.
-
I watched the first season of House and really enjoyed it. Then it seemed like House got worse and worse--cold and unfeeling. I finally got tired of him and quit watching. He was inexcusably rude and hurtful. Not my kind of hero.
Sally
-
I must put something comic that Hugh Laurie has done on my netflix. My sole experience with him is House and I dislike it too much to figure him as brilliant.
-
Hugh Laurie is a bit of a chameleon. Two nights ago I saw him on the Graham Norton show, guesting with Robert Pattinson (sp), Reece Witherspoon, and a lovely Anglo/Indian comedienne. Hugh was charming and sweet and he and a small group played a song with Hugh doing vocals and playing guitar. Very versatile chap.
Hugh Laurie has been in many British TV productions, but my favourite depiction of his is in
"Blackadder the Third" as Prince Regent - the Prince of Wales. A fop and an idiot He is very funny and steals the show.
-
Yes, I agree Roshanarose - he is brilliant (as is Rowan Aitkinson) in Blackadder the Third.
Rosemary
-
Blackadder the Third, .. will go to Netflix and see if they have it.. I am anxious to see him in something that is funny.. I dont like House, so maybe I will like something else.Part of that is the constant two day beard.. Just looks messy to me.
-
and here I thought I was the only one that couldn't stand his 2 day beard and didn't watch House because of it. But a lot of the reason is I don't like medical shows and I don't like his attitude. Guess three reasons are good enough I guess.
-
Thanks for the info. about 'Blackadder the Third'. I'd like to see that one, too.
;D Yeah, JERIRON, I think three reasons is enough!
-
Don't let it put you off Blackadder - he really is completely different in that!
Rosemary
-
Its funny how we have an inner picture and want others to conform.. I know that one of the reason I dont go to see many movies made from books that I love is that I generally have an inner picture of the characters and Hollywood has all of these actors whose egos make them do things they cannot do.. Katherine Hegl as Stephanie Plum.. Bah... Humbug.. We needed a gritty New York type actress for this one.. Sigh..Too much money and ego for another blonde of the month type.
-
I would have pictured Laura San Giacomo (played Kit in "Pretty Woman") very gritty and New York-ish (Jersey-ish)!!
-
Here's some more news we may not want to hear about "One for the Money". Of course, it's just one person's opinion. I have to agree that Sherri Shepard should make a good Lulu.
http://www.celebitchy.com/146286/whats_wrong_with_katherine_heigls_stephanie_plum_movie/
-
I just finished House at Riverton by Kate Morton. Very good book for those of you who like family sagas set in England.
Sally
-
I am reading a not too much fun book about working in retail.. Recommended here, but the author is such a complainer, that I am finding it hard going. I would have fired him the first week, but they keep him on.. He is b----y to put it mildly. Good employees are hard to find.
But my book on a sheltie, agility and another owner who is sort of different is really good.. ah well, I will stick with the retail book a bit longer.. But he is just too too twee and full of himself.
-
I found myself definitely in need of a Terry Pratchett. I found one I hadn't read in the YA section,
"A Hat Full of Sky", and it is just what I needed. A bit of excitement, surrounded by the fabled
Pratchett charm.
-
The Stephanie Plum movie sounds like a disaster. But Debbie reynalds as Grandma Mazur!!! Like the reviewer, "that alone guarentees that I'll go see it."
-
See what?
-
Debbie Reynolds.. Good heavens no.. How about the woman who played Granny in the Jed Clampett thing or at least someone who looks and acts like that. Debbie was never an actress.. Just a star type. They are ruining a favorite book of mine. Darn.
-
What book?
-
Actually, I can see Debbie Reynolds as the grandma. I think she would be
hilarious.
The first Stephanie Plum book, MARYPAGE. "One for the Money". The general
opinion here seems to be that the actress who bought the rights is all wrong
for the part.
-
Reminds me of when the late Rosalind Russell was so crazy about Dorothy Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax books (as was and as am I), and she bought the film rights and made the first one and starred in it. Her great looks and acting skills were right there, but Mrs. Pollifax she was Not!
Sigh! That was clear back in 1971.
-
I remember that. What a shame!! I love the Mrs. Pollifax books, and they would make great movies.
-
That is what I have always thought. Surely someone in Hollywood should see the obvious popularity a TV series based on Mrs. Pollifax would have.
-
Who is Mrs Pollifax?
-
I know the name but can't say I've ever met the lady
-
Mrs. Pollifax is a popular series about an older woman who becomes an accidental spy. Funny and warm.
-
Yes, a perfect description. She is funny and warm. A widow and very interested in gardening, she becomes, by total accident, one of the CIA's best spys!
Get the old Rosalind Russell movie and get an idea. Look up books by Dorothy Gilman and get the real thing. I promise you, these books are a complete JOY!
-
http://www.cozy-mystery.com/blog/dorothy-gilmans-mrs-pollifax-mystery-books.html
on this one, look over at the far left for a complete list of the Mrs. Pollifax series. They are best read in the order in which she wrote them:
http://mrspollifax.com/blog/list-of-books-published/
You can still buy all of the Mrs. Pollifax books in paperback, and your used book stores have them, as well.
If you loved Miss Seeton, you will Adore Mrs. Pollifax, and to have missed either is a Sin!
-
Still on a non fiction kick.. Amazing how you get interested in a subject and boom.. I am knee deep in it.. A sign of getting older and a curiousity that will never stop.
-
I will have to check on my Kindell and see if Mrs Polifax is on there. I don't believe I have ever put in a title that they didn't have.
I have been reading the cheap books on the Kindell not much meat but some are fun I have loved the Dixie Divas. Also have been re reading some of my favorite authors such as Isles and Gregg Olson.
Also have put a word game on the kindell and spend time on that its fun.
After the yardwork and driving people from Fairwinds to the doctor and taking care of Don I don't have a lot of time.
I read Old Filth and it really didn't do much for me.
-
JUdy,, glad to h ear you are still alive and kicking. YOu dont post much. I put games on my IPAD as well as books, etc. I have put a lot of free or cheap books on my IPAD.. Dont feel bad if they arent as good as I hoped. But I still spend money every month on it.. Cant seem to resist some of the stuff.
-
I came across a site that offered a chance to win a fine iPad or some other stuff, offered to
out-of-state 'visitors'. All I had to do was pick a prize, enter my mobile number.... Mobile
number?? Alas, so 'not-with-it'. :'(
-
Babi I think I would have to pass on that.
I didn't feel good yesterday so spent the afternoon and eve in bed.
I had a Helene Hanff marathon. How I love those books. I read The Dutchess of Bloomsberry and Q's Legacy. Very fun.
Don't feel much better today but have to go take a lady to the dentist. Won't take long.
-
Anytime some site says "win _ _ _ _ (something) and then you click and it asks for a bunch of information, I just X out and say, well, I probably wouldn't have won it anyway!
Too much of our private information is "out there" and just waiting for some crook to hack into it.
-
Babi - I fell for the same ploy. I went through a reputable site that I use often to win a lovely IPad. I foolishly included my telephone number. Sure enough at 5.30am on Sunday morning a chirpy American lady told me that I hadn't won the IPad, but would I be interested in a tour to the Bahamas or something. My daughter and friends will tell you if anyone calls me before 10am they can expect to find me at my most unkind. Suffice to say that particular lady won't be calling me again.
-
I stopped entering contests sponsored by travel agency/sites. I found that often what you "win" is a couple of nights at a place that includes someone trying to sell you a time share or the like. They do not provide the plane/train fare to get there either. The only vacation sweeps I enter are through something like The Travel Channel, Conde Naste, or BH&G. Always before I enter I check the official rules to see exactly what you get and who is actually sponsoring it. Sometimes they will list quite a few different sites that are also sponsoring the same sweeps. I should check the privacy policy more often than I do. If I get an inkling that a sweeps comes attached to allowing sales calls or emails, I skip it. Some state Visitor's Bureaus sponsor sweeps. They seem to be okay. You can request additional info about vacationing in the state or sign up for an email newsletter, but they aren't required for entering the contest.
-
Yes, just now I am getting all sorts of stupid email,, all insisting I signed up for them. Since I dont sign up for strange sites, I have to assume that something I did triggered this avalanche.. Darn.
-
Absolutely, TOME. Anytime I am asked for inappropriate information, I'm
gone!
ROSHANA, I am shocked! You were rude? ::) (She called at 5:30a.m. ?! Must have been in a different time zone.)
-
Another wonderful little trick some sites use is if you want to enter a contest or sign up for an email, they already have a bunch of extra things checked off. You have to unclick everything you don't want. Sometimes I miss one or my finger "slips" and I hit enter rather than the tab I wanted to. TYhen I end up with unwanted emails as a result.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I mentioned on "the library" site that i've found a new fiction author........
"I'm reading a good book titled The Ladies Lunch! Five women in Washington D.C. have lunch once a month. They are a judge, a news reporter, a congresswoman, the WH press secretary, and a caterer. One of them has an accidental death and that opens a can of worms. It's written by Patricia O'Brien, whom i only disc overed recently and i like very much. The characters seem real, the story moves along nicely, it held my interest at every page. O'Brien lives in D.C. and has a handle on the place.
I'm also reading O'Brien's Harriet and Isabella, a fiction book about those two Beecher sisters and mentions many characters of the late nineteenth century, along w/ the issues of the time." i'm not sure about this one, it goes back and forth in time and i'm not fond of that technique of writing, so i have to get over that in order to judge how well i like the story. I do like the characters, again the behaviors seem real and i fo like books that include real people.
-
Jean, I have made a note of this author, I like the sound of The Ladies Lunch - thanks :)
Rosemary
-
Babi - I know it sounds strange that I should be rude to someone waking me at 5.30am, it is so unlike me. I am most definitely a late afternoon/night person. Or were you writing "tongue-in-cheek", cheeky girl!?
Would you believe it - that same b...... woman rang me again this morning. After what I said this morning I am almost certain I won't be hearing from her again. btw she was calling from the U S of A. If I do, Telstra will have a new complaint.
-
I am angry because one of the web sites that keeps emailing me.. refers to facebook as who sent them to me. I did not give facebook the option of doing this. No more clicking likes on facebook.
-
Definitely cheeky, ROSE. :D
-
Jean, your report on Harriet and Isabella sent me looking at "wiki" and elsewhere. Was that scandal real? Guess so. The wife confesses, the cuckholded husband tells, of all people, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and she tells Henry's sister Isabella. Shame on who, here. In spite of it all, it sounds like Beecher came out of it okay, immortalized in many ways. Even a statue in front of the his church.
Henry Beecher (http://www.plymouthchurch.org/images/beecherstatue.jpg)
Hmmm, some have said another more current gentleman has done good things, and strongly supported his party and his leader, but I don't think I'll put a link to his picture.
-
Steph, that would be my Rule #397: "Never enter anything where you have to "Like them" on FaceBook. "
-
Yes, it is now for me a rule on Facebook.. But I am also having a problem with people wanting to friend me that I have never heard of. I have a firm policy that I dont friend anyone that I dont know. A minor exception for one of Kait( my granddaughter)'s friends. She has no Grandma and she and Kait asked me.. so I said yes for her. But noone else.
-
When you have someone wanting to friend you and you don't know them they are usually a "friend" of someone you do know. I'm not use if they do it or Facebook does. I just ignore it.
-
There's usually an "X" to the right of the person's photo/name, if you click that it does away with it. But, and it's a big but...There are usually so many of these that it will take awhile, because (as Jeriron states) they are "friends of friends". You may have heard their name, but you don't know them -- so X 'em out.
-
I am not and never have been on Facebook or any of the other "social networks". Yet I get strangers wanting to friend me. If I am not signed up on Facebook, how do they have my email address. Sounds mighty suspicious to me.
-
Tomereader, I'm a Facebook newbie with very few friends, mostly family and a few others. But after clicking a few likes I'm getting inundated on my NewsFeed page. So, if I click the x next to someone's name am I unfriending someone, or just getting rid of the games that person plays? I don't want to unfriend anyone, but I'm not interested in all the game stuff.
-
pedln, you just click the 'x' and it'll give you choices. You can do it so their posts don't show up, but the person doesn't know it. You haven't officially "un-friended" them.
-
I personally wouldn't go to face book if my life depended on it.
My DIL who is not the brightest bulb went to face book a few years ago. She didn't want to join just see some pictures on a friends site.
I don't know what happened but I recieved a e-mail saying Linda Cowin wanted me to come see her face book and her pictures ect------. I called her and said Linda are you sure you want to do this, she said no I didn't at the end of the the day some how faceook bogarted her e-mail address-all of them, some whcih were for her bisness and sent eveyone one of her address book a phony e-mail.
I was in the hosp for divertiulitisus yesterday so perhaps I am not in the best mood. hehe
-
Facebook can be a nightmare, especially for teenagers. My elder daughter had a terrible time with it when she was 13 - lots of name calling and general horribleness from her former school "friends". In the end she closed her page down (although she's now opened it again - but now she has nicer friends and they are all a bit older).
This week history has repeated itself and I have had my younger daughter in floods of tears about things being said on Facebook. Her brother and I told her to keep right off the whole site and so far I think she has done so.
I spoke to her teacher, who said that if she had her way the whole operation would be shut down. The school recently had the police in to give a talk about internet safety. The officer asked the class (of 13 year olds) how many of them had 50 Facebook "friends" (just abut everybody apparently), how many had 100, 200, etc - it ended up with 5 pupils who claimed to have 500+ "friends" each. As the teacher said, she doesn't even know 500 people. It is very scary how these children can agree to be anyone's friend just to get a higher score. My children do at least limit their befriending to people they actually know, but even then - as above - things can turn very nasty. As my son said to Madeleine last night, people say things on Facebook that they would never dream of saying to your face - they don't mean them, but that is no justification, and leads to a lot of pain and upset for the recipients.
I put myself on Facebook in an attempt to find out what my son was up to (in the mildest sense - eg how his course was going - I do not want to know details of his social life!), but I must say I find the whole thing unbelievably boring and rarely look at it - although he does post lots of photos of their ski-ing, mountaineering, etc, which are good to see - I can't imagine how people can find it interesting to know what other people had for dinner. The only good thing I have seen of late is that several of my friends' children have posted their (good) degree results, which (having moved away) I may not have found out about for some time otherwise, so it's been nice to be able to congratulate them.
Rosemary
-
So sorry, Rosemary, to hear about your daughters' experiences with Facebook. I looked into it once and found it so boring I couldn't see what the big deal was about. I'm with your daughter's teacher, think the whole thing should be abolished. But, then, there's that thing about free speech, etc. I think I heard recently that the number of people using Facebook is declining.
Marj
-
I love Facebook. It keeps me in touch w/ the next three generations in a way that i would not otherwise be. They are in Conn, Ga, N.C., Maryland, Pa and Va. Much of the info has to do w/ their day-to-day events, their childrens activities, and just some fun things like sharing music and comments on th e news. I would not have a sense of any of those things if not for FB and i love having them in my life.......... Jean
-
Know I am being a scaredy cat of an old lady, though I pride myself in being in the approximately 50% or less of my age group who do emailing and computers and I actually have peers who are terrified of computers and would not be lead yelling and screaming to owning one and have never done an email in their lives and never will, and you are acquainted with the same types as well I am sure, BUT
I draw the line at emailing. Eons ago I was enticed into that Instant Messaging that was all the rage (seems to have fallen by the wayside) and it turned out I hated it and dropped it. Emails do the job for me. They cover the waterfront of MY existence. I do have a cell phone, which I keep in my handbag and never turn on unless I need to make a call because I am not at home or because the land phones & electricity are out. That cell phone was carefully picked by me at the Verizon store for NOT doing anything but phoning. No texting. For the life of me, I cannot figure out what in the world all these people, and most especially CHILDREN, are doing talking to others with cell phone texting and tweeting and Facebooking and so on and on and on. Does ANYone stop and sit down and read a book these days? In a Quiet Room? Scheesch!
I do not, in my heart, disparage this culture. I just flat out cannot RELATE to it. Baring my heart and emotional map here, and hoping you can relate to me; or at least that some of you can. Thanks for listening!
-
I hear you MaryPage. I, for the life of me, cannot figure out why people have to be constantly plugged into their cellphone whether texting or talking. Even George wanders around with that ear piece in his ear. He used the cellphone in hands off mode in the car, but even then I think, what is so gull darn important that the average individual needs to be that connected. I am just not that interested in keeping in constant contact with the world (except here, of course ;D). I carry my cellphone mostly for emergencies. It is off unless I want to use it. I don't even have my voice mail set up on it.
-
Thank you SO much. I really needed to hear that.
-
I'm with you MaryPage and FryBabe. I particularly dislike texting, as most of the people who send them to me forget to sign them. Great way NOT to communicate. I love emails too. My cellphone (or mobile as we call them here) saved me once so now I always have it with me, although I rarely put any money in it. It is mainly for emergencies and if people want to call me if I am not at home.
For the last week I have been so tired, listless and disinterested in just about everything. I am wondering what is wrong. I think I will have a blood test.
-
ROSHANAROSE, that is not good. Please do have some blood work done. Let us know the results. I am putting you on my daily prayer list.
I share the feelings about Facebook. I have no desire to have stangers know what I am doing, thinking and feeling. I do not want to befriend someone I do not know.
Sheila
-
I agree with everyone who thinks this need to constantly be "in touch" is ridiculous.
I do more reading than posting on Facebook. My security choices limit those who can read anything on my "wall" to very very few people and I use the "delete post" choice often.
I will say it has put me in touch with a few friend/former students from long ago that I wouldn't have known about otherwise. The "chat box' feature (shows which "friends" are on at the time) has been helpful in contacting my family.
Other than that, I'm not a big fan of any of the "social networks".
-
Roshanarose, I second Shiela's advice to get yourself checked out. Perhaps you're anaemic or have thyroid problems, two of the most common contenders for feeling blah.
I refuse to get on Facebook, because I enjoy the privacy of email, and its one on oneness. Besides my family fill me on the news. One son was shocked when I mentioned something about one of his boys. He said "it only happened yesterday". His partner had updated it to FB. I told him, tell FB and you've told the world ::).
My sister and I were once trapped on a train while a man told the whole carriage excruciatingly boring trivia about his life. We were hoping someone would say something, because we were too chicken to do it ourselves. Worried about train rage!
-
I must admit that I love texting. I like the way you can do it anytime and know you are not going to interrupt the recipient - they can just read it when they want to. Similarly, I don't have to respond to any texts unless I want to. Some of my friends are avid texters, some aren't. I have my friends numbers in my phone memory, so I know who is calling/texting because their name comes up rather than their number.
What I do find, though, is that each time a "new" way of communicating is invented, the old one is rapidly left behind, especially by our children - for example, my children now seeing writing an email as a huge and unnecessary effort, whereas I much prefer them because you can say a lot more - if you say too much in a text, only people with things like i-phones can read them, because the cheaper phones can't cope with too many words at once. I suppose all this really says is that i talk too much!
Marypage, you are well "switched on"! I was speaking to a friend the other day about that Prestonpans Tapestry - her mother, who is only in her 70s and very active, would love to see it, but does not travel to Edinburgh. However, she steadfastly refuses to have anything to do with any computer, so she can't view it on-line, which is such a shame. She also refuses to have a cell phone or even to think about them - this meant that when her 22 year old grandson was late back from something one day, she actually phoned the police instead of calling his mobile (which she could of course have done from her landline anyway). Luckily they live in a remote part of Northern Scotland and the local police are fairly laid back!
Roshanarose - I hope you feel better soon. My son has a 20 year old friend who is experiencing similar problems at the moment - she is having a barrage of tests, and seems to be very anaemic. However, she, being bored, googled her symptoms - and now wishes she hadn't, as of course the internet will tell you you have every disease known to man even if all it really is is toothache. Anyway, take care.
Rosemary
-
Roshanarose: Sorry you feel under the weather at present. The blood test sounds a good idea. Maybe you need a new interest or hobby - In the meantime remember the mantra - light exercise, fresh air, sleep - and don't forget to drink plenty of fluids.
-
I'm glad to hear that, MARJIFAY. I hope it's true. Fads like Facebook
do come and go, but some, unfortunately, seem to be permanent.
On the other hand, I see JEAN has found Facebook useful for keeping
up with her grands. Maybe the whole thing just needs some 'rules and
regulations'.
-
I think Facebook will be permanent, athough I join others in being suspicious of it and finding it remarkably boring. I also carry a turned-off cell phone for emergencies. I use it occasionally but have determinedly avoided all the bells and whistles. I believe and hope that texting is a fad that will pass away; I get quite annoyed when my grandson texts others while purporting to converse with us. No hope for him, he is 33. I guess we who feel this way are just old grumps.
-
ursamajor, my dil does the same thing - and she's in her 40's!
-
Now I do agree that that is really annoying! My son does it, of course - and although my husband doesn't actually text whilst he's pretending to listen to me, he does look at his phone every other millisecond to see if something more interesting is happening somewhere in cyberspace ::)
Rosemary
-
OTOH, texting is very useful when the family is going somewhere together but in more than one car. So simple to find where the first ones there found seats or how long the wait would be at a selected restaurant, etc.
As with everything else, good manners should go along with usage. Maybe those are "Fiction" today :(. <trying to stay on topic here :D>
-
Thanks for that info, MaryZ. I didn’t want to unfriend anyone, but there sure is a lot of junk on the page.
Mabel/Jean, I pretty much agree with you about Facebook. I joined it mainly just to see what it was all about, and to see photos that my grandkids put up, which is the same reason my son joined – to see his kids photos. None of my daughters will have anything to do with it. I don’t spend much time on it, I rarely comment, but it’s nice to get back in touch with family members I haven’t seen in a great while.
My son told me the No. 1 Rule was that parents and grandparents can look at the kids’ pages, but they aren’t supposed to say anything. :P
As for texting, I'd need another plan because I refuse to pay $.20 per text message. However, it has it's good points, especially if you don't hear well, and you can keep also keep messages with specific information, and dates, addresses and phone numbers.
WSJ had an article the other day about cell phones now beginning to include captions, which is good, but it sounds like you need a data plan, which can be expensive.
-
I agree w/ everybody!?! Again! ??? ???
I love FB, BUT am very annoyed by people conversing on their cell phones, every minuite, everywhere! I have been known to suggest to people (strangers) that not everybody in the place wishes to hear their conversation, in a nice old-lady way. :) i also leave my cell phone in the car to be used in emergencies, but use it about once a month. It's a joke in my family.
On the other hand my dgt spends far less time in her office than i ever did bcs she's in constant contact w/ her customers and her office. Of course, she, and all those cousins i stay in touch w/ on FB, are texting and conversing w/each other ever day or couple days. My son plays scrabble w/ a cousin 100's of miles away. That cousin-group is much "closer" to each other than i ever was w/ any of my cousins and it's bcs they are constantly in touch w/each other and supporting each other........ Jean
-
Jean, I can tell you text a lot. You tend to type in "text-speak". Sometimes it takes a while to translate. ::)
-
I noticed that, too, Jean.
-
I can't tell you how many times I thought someone was talking to me only to discover they were talking on their bluetooth or whatever. These things are so small, and especially with someone who has long hair or turned with that ear not visible to you, it is next to impossible to see the thing stuck in their ear. So, how many times have I gone up to (and this at work too) and started to talk to someone only to discover she was on the phone listening to someone else. It is very, very annoying (if not embarrassing) when there is no clue they are in the middle of another conversation. I am NOT being rude to butt in, I just have no clue you are listening on one of those things if you don't have a little red flag waving above your head or some such.
Then there are the texters at school who text away while walking. They must naturally assume that everyone else is going to "part the waters" for them because they are not paying attention to their surroundings.
Just what I needed today - a soapbox. ;D
-
Actually i don't text at all....... I've done it maybe 2or3 times on my cell phone and can't do it on my house phone. What you see is, probably, my one-handed ipad system that i use only on tbe internet and which sometimes frustrates me that i can't type faster on it..... ;D ;D
I actually developed my own short-hand-note-taking system from yrs of research for my classes and it turns out to be very close to the texting short-hand...... Jean
-
I dont text, but I do use facebook. I keep in touch with all of those people that I have known in my life and have moved away or they have. It is interesting in that. Occasionally I will play a game or two there, but mostly I use my IPAD games. More interesting.
If I dont recognize the names, I simply reply, not interested.. and now facebook asked you if you know the person, when I say no.. they take them off my site and dont let them back on.. Very nice..
-
I don't think it's just us old grumps, URSA. It is plain rude to ignore the
people you are with, whether it's texting are doing anything else that pointedly
shuts them out. For socially unsure teens, it may well be a hiding place. Look
immensely popular, without having to put it to the test f-to-f.
I do hope Mom and Dad aren't paying for excessive text messaging. I don't know
how that is handled, but if there are extra charges based on the number of messages
I would make it very clear that I'm not paying that bill. I have found paying the bills to be
a wonderful deterrent to overuse of anything. ;)
-
Babi - I agree. Incidentally, the package I and each of my children have allows for unlimited texts but only 100mins per month of spoken calls. That is the cheapest package available - it is £15 pm - and I find it very good as I hardly use my phone for calls. or at least I didn't when I still had a landline - and as soon as we have another house I should be back to that situation.
Am trying to think of some literary link to avoid being off topic, but have so far failed, so had better be quiet... 8)
Rosemary
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Don't give it a thought, ROSEMARY. Anytime a group of friends get together, the topics of
conversation are bound to range afield. Thought associations, responses, etc., etc. We just
go with the flow. We always come back to the purported purpose of the get-together...eventually. ;)
-
A friend and I were known for having what our husbands called "Circle Back" conversations. We might start with Topic A, which led to Topic B, etc. etc. until we eventually "circled back" to the original subject. They usually just wandered off to do their own thing and left us to it. :D
-
I was in the hosp for divertiulitisus yesterday so perhaps I am not in the best mood. hehe
Hey, Judy Laird, are you feeling better now? Did you have to stay overnight?
A friend had to take her husband to the ER for the same thing not too long ago. That diverticu stuff sounds like trouble. You take care.
-
Thanks Pedln, no I don't feel all that much better. I think the anti-biotics may be making it worse in one way. See I gastro type dr on monday.
Have to take a 92 year old lady named Janice to get her hair done this afternoon.
I am sure she will die in the beauty parlor and she may take me wth her. hehe
-
Judy, diverticulitis attacks must be "the current thing". I had one two weeks ago - but didn't have to go to the hospital. Just now finishing up the meds. My sympathies to you.
I'm enthralled with a non-fiction book right now..."The Nine", which is about the Supreme Court in the last 20 or so years. A James Patterson novel (book club selection) is on the TBR list.
Also picked up some children's books this morning to use at a story time ("OkieTales") at The Oklahoma History Center next week. The theme next week is "Route 66" and I've been busy finding and copying maps to show the participants. We'll take a look at the Car Exhibit if we have time.
It's either blazing hot here - or the wind practically knocks you down. Good weather to stay inside and read!
-
Judy, I hope you feel better soon. I am also on antibiotics and they do not make you feel good.
You reminded me of Muriel, the hairdresser in the village we used to live in. Most of her clients were elderly, and they all went to get their hair done every Friday, most arriving by taxi and practically being carried in by the (local) driver. I was in there once when an extremely tottery lady decided to stagger from the chair to the wash basin - the horrified hairdresser rushed behind her with a chair on wheels, which was fortunate because she sank to the ground half way. The whole place was an experience - they always double booked and once, when I had to get away to collect a child and they still hadn't finished my hair, Muriel just said "oh well, it's better for it to air dry anyway" (no discount, needless to say). All village life was there.
Rosemary
-
Glad y'all are getting treatment for your diverticulitis. My long-time friend is in her third week in the hospital with diverticulitis, which resulted in an abscess formation, surgery, temporary (hopefully) colostomy. She's just now being started on clear liquids. It can be bad, so keep on top of the treatment.
-
Oh, dear, ROSEMARY. It must be a lifelong habit with those old ladies...
hair salon every Friday. Never even think of possibly not going that route.
It's bound to be very tiring for them, but I had to smile at the aghast
hairdresser dashing to the rescue with the wheeled chair. :o
-
Finished the " Harriet and Isabella" book by Patricia O'Brien. It's a fictional account of the Henry Beecher sex scandal and it's effect on his family and those two sisters in particular. This is my second O'Brien book and i like her writing quite a bit.
If you have an interest in Harriet Beecher Stowe, Victoria Woodhull, the suffrage movement, hypocrisy, loyalty, or the difficulty of determining how much/long you stand on your virtues, you may enjoy this book. O'Brien personalizes these events and really makes you wonder about what you would do under these circumstances. I felt the emotions of each character and their responses to the events.
It is au courant, as Ginny would say. What is it about powerful men that gets them into these messes? An arrogance that they are untouchable? Where does that come from? Is lust the most powerful motivator for some men? If you are their friend or family, do you support them? For how long? .......... What a puzzlement! ..... Jean
-
Busy weekend, not much reading and I do need to start on Book Two of Old Filth.. I am enjoying this months discussion. The book is really good.. Anyone not participating ought to check in..
I did dig out The Three Weissmans... to read next. Looks good and someone just said they liked it.. With the trial, I am not reading quite as much as normal.
-
ROSEMARY, your story about the hairdresser and her 92 y/o lady gave me a good laugh. I am having a similiar experience, with my balance. With multiple health problems, I have now lost my sense of balance. I am 77 years old, and for the past year, I have fallen numerous times. The result is that I am not going anywhere. I am afraid of falling.
The last fall resulted in spending all day in the ER. Once I fell, I was unable to get up. My daughter, and my house cleaner were here at that time, and insisted on calling an ambulance. The total cost was more than $12, 000.00. All of the tests came back normal. Now, I am afraid to go anywhere.
Sheila
-
Good grief, Shiela how could one day cost that much? The instruments must be gold plated ???
-
Sheila - That is astronomical!! :o
Clearly, you don't have any special benefits for seniors. What is the story regarding medical health benefits in the US? Do they vary from State to State?
When I shattered my ankle I had to be in hospital for 5 weeks because I contracted MRSA - Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. It was a terrible time for me. Including checkups (when an ambulance came to get me and take me home again) it cost me absolutely nothing. When I went home I was given free meds, including morphine for 6 weeks, a nurse to change my dressings every 3 days, and a free physiotherapist.
-
Sheila, that is appalling. We are forever complaining about our NHS here - the waiting lists, the impossibility of getting a GP's appointment, etc etc, but really we are so lucky. My doctor neighbour told me that our system is never going to last into our old age, which is a thought - but on the other hand, I can't imagine that any political party will dare to tamper with it, it's the real sacred cow of the UK.
I have been amazed to find that in Edinburgh the NHS seems to function much better than it did in Aberdeen. Edinburgh is of course a much larger city, but so far I have been able to get a same day doctor's appointment twice with no trouble at all. The local NHS practice also has an NHS podiatry service - I have asked for an appointment, haven't got it yet - but in Aberdeen there would have been all sorts of hoops to go through, here you just fill in a form and post it through their door. And it is all free at point of delivery, as they say - it comes out of our (40%) taxes. Alex Salmond, the First Minister in Scotland, has just abolished prescription charges too - they were introduced a few years ago and have always been a huge bugbear, as it was often cheaper to buy the medicine from the pharmacist than pay the prescription charge, but our medicines are much more strictly controlled than I think yours are, and we cannot, for example, buy antibiotics without a doctor's prescription. On the whole I think that is a good thing, in that antibiotics are already massively over-used.
Having read your post, I am going to make a big effort to be more appreciative.
Rosemary
-
No , no, she definitely has medicare.. There might be some charges depending on what was done. I think she was simply telling you what it would have cost her.
-
SHEILA, it's time to get a cane or some other type of walking assistance. I've been using
a cane for quite a while, thought I confess somewhat inconsistently. Depends on how well
I'm doing, but it does enable to feel more confident getting around in unsteady times.
I'm glad you were able to overcome that MRSA, ROSE. That is a tough one. What makes it
most upsetting, is that generally one only runs into that in the hospital.
Now I am amazed, ROSEMARY, that you were able to get a same day appointment. That's
unheard of! If you have an emergency, they tell you to go to an emergency room. But....
40% taxes?!!! Mercy!! Well, there is undoubtedly bad new and good news about both systems.
-
Babi - that is exactly what we used to be told in Aberdeen - go to A & E (Accident & Emergency). Then there was an outcry about how many people were turning up at the hospital without real emergencies - but they had been told to do so by their GP receptionists. So then everyone was told instead to phone NHS 24, a new service manned by nurses, who were expected to give you advice and stop you bothering the doctor (well that was what they really meant...) - needless to say, the only advice they ever gave you was to call your doctor - and who can blame them? They are not trained or paid to take a doctor's responsibilities. Eventually NHS 24 became so overloaded you could never get through, so the next thing we were told was to consult our pharmacist, ie in the chemist shop. Surprise surprise, they are also unwilling to take any decisions at all - and again who can blame them - and every single time I ever asked them about anything for my children, they would inevitably say "you need to see a doctor".
Our GPs are highly paid but seem to me to be getting out of more and more - for example, they used to do night calls on a rota, but now all of that is covered by out of hours services, - this has unfortunately led to some tragic disasters, as most of the doctors manning these services do not speak good English and have made some big mistakes.
I suppose it is all the result of a growing population, and especially a growing elderly population. Unfortunately, there is also the attitude amongst some sectors of the community that it is their "right" for example to have a home visit from the doctor, even when they are perfectly capable of getting to the surgery. This is a hangover from the early days of the NHS, and some people don't seem to realise that all of these services are now seriously stretched. It is the same as people not taking responsibility for their own health by trying to keep fit, give up the cigarettes, etc - although so far as the keeping fit goes, our councils are not exactly helping that by closing all the swimming pools, etc.
Better get off my soap box now :)
Rosemary
-
You guys surely got my attention about the diverticulosis. Went to the doctor yesterday and didn't take the medicine because I was sure they made me sick, figured they would have something different. I basically got suck it up take the medicine or would will be in a lot worse shape.
Came home and took the medcine and will do it faithfully but I still feel crummy.
-
Judy, Good Girl! :) I just finished my meds and am ever so much better - but am eating very cautiously because I really don't have time to deal with it again!
I just finished "Dream A Little Dream" by Elizabeth Berg. It's set in WWII and, just as I thought she couldn't possibly work in another cliche of that era..............she did! However, the story line was light-summer-read-interesting so I'm willing to give her a second chance and checked out another one by her today.
On Saturday, I couldn't find my library card while I was there - although I could recite the number. The clerk punched a few buttons on his computer and told me no one else would be able to use my card. Of course, I found it as soon as I got home - but it never dawned on me that I might not be able to use it, either!!!!
Was I ever surprised when I went on-line yesterday to reserve a book and had a big red notice saying that mail sent to me had been returned - please come in and bring proof of your address. (They don't send me mail!)
So I found the current utility bill receipt and off I went this morning. Turned out the clerk had punched the wrong button and blocked all access for everyone. Fortunately - another click and all was well. Whew!
-
Our youngest who has also had an attack of diverticulitis (a number of years ago) is ever so careful to avoid corn and tomatoes. Sometimes when we're together in the summertime, I'll fix her some fresh tomato pieces with the skin and seeds all removed. ::) But she won't chance it otherwise.
-
Mary, by the time I fix a tomato so I can eat it - there's not much left! I get the tomato taste by making aspic with lemon gelatin and tomato sauce. Can't beat the taste of a good summer tomato - but one does what one has to do.
After a very pleasant morning, the temperature has soared. Good time to settle in an see if I like this Elizabeth Berg novel any better - or maybe dip into one of the other two I brought home.
Hope it's a Lovely Day wherever you are.
-
Callie - here, on Midsummer's Day, it has poured since early morning and shows no signs of stopping. I went out around 6pm and all the cars had their lights on. Offices have had theirs on all day. I told my son that we shouldn't complain about this, as at least there's no chance of forest fires in Edinburgh.
Rosemary
-
It's a little on the warm side here in southern California, 84 degrees. I'm settling in to read some more in James Michener's ALASKA, and that's keeping me cool.
You're lucky you have no forest fire worries in Edinburgh, Rosemary. Ours will probably be beginning before too long, altho' I live in a surburan area, not in the woodsy hills where they get started.
Marj
-
Thanks for the feedback about my huge medical bill, for a day in the ER. Sorry I wasn't clear about who paid it. I do have both Medicare and a supplement plan for retired military. Between the two, I do not expect to have to pay anything, myself. I apologize for not pointing that out.
The $12,000+ did not include the cost of the ambulance. Many tests were done, including an MRI, blood work, EKG, etc. The total time with a doctor, was less than 30 minutes. I am still stunned at the total cost, even if I did not have to pay it. The Medicare is for people over 65. Now, the government is arguing about changing what is available for seniors in medical insurance.
I was also surprised that the Medicare bill did not include an itemized statement for the charges.
Sheila
-
BABI, I consistently walk with a cane, since my last fall. Even with a cane, I have come close to falling, several times. A cane is not a completely safe protection from lack of balance. I think it is time for a walker. LOL
Sheila
-
Sheila, I'm so glad you didn't have to pay that bill, but as you say, it is still stunningly awful. Although we don't have to pay for our healthcare (yet), I am constantly stunned by the level of charges for veterinary care - which we do have insurance for, but you can't get it for an animal over the age of 8 unless it's already insured. I know that my last vet, who was a lovely woman, did not get paid well at all, so I would like to know who gets all this money, - yours and mine (via our insurance, that is). Where does it go?
And isn't that so typical that as soon as people start to claim on their insurance, the insurers all throw up their hands in horror and want to start cutting the benefits, refusing to cover anyone who might claim, etc? My mother is 82 and finds it virtually impossible to get travel insurance, although she herself has never claimed.
Rosemary
-
Rosemary:
here, on Midsummer's Day, it has poured since early morning and shows no signs of stopping.
Here, on Midwinter Day, it was a warm, bright sunshiny day - no clouds in the sky, no rain (well there never is these days), - same again today....and tomorrow....and
Only the ash cloud from Chile's volcano put some interest into things as it hovered over our city and disrupted airlines again.
-
ROSEMARY, that would drive me nuts! Ah well; if there was a perfect
system we would all be using it, wouldn't we? Hopefully?
CALLIE, I only wish all clerical foull-ups could be corrected with
a click of a button!
SHEILA, a walker may be wise, though you might like to try one of
those three-footed canes first. They do provide better grounding than
a simple cane.
-
What I want to know is after thr 14 days how do you know if its gone??
-
Not following that. How do you know if WHAT is gone?
-
BABI, I think that you are right. I will try the 3 footed cane. I had forgotten, but either a nurse, or the doctor mentioned my getting one, when I was in the ER. Thank you for reminging me.
Sheila
-
Judy, are you talking of the library and ebooks?? I gather they simply disappear from your library app..
-
Hi folks, haven't been here in a while. I just finished The Plot Against America by Philip Roth. A bit disturbing but very well written. I'm now starting the first book written by Michael Connelly: The Black Echo. Gonna read them in order. Time for a change.
Nancy
-
Glad to be of service, SHEILA. :)
STEPH & MARYPAGE, ..I assumed Judy was referring to the diverticulitis, wondering when
she could be confident it was gone.
-
thats right Babi I wondered aFTER THE14 DAYS how can you be sure the infection is gone.???
-
Judy, I can tell because nothing hurts and I no longer have intestinal cramps. That doesn't mean the diverticula is gone - just that it's healed.
-
Those who read the Tiffany book and live in or near NC may be interested in this
http://biltmore.com/visit/calendar/tiffany.asp?eid=Brand&mid=062211
-
Oh Judy, I had the problem many years ago in my late 40's.. I was in the hospital for a week with all sorts of different drugs.. But yes, the doctor had me back a month later and did another exam..and another xray.. Then I was released and told not to eat seeds..Hmm. But I do and have for years. When I have my colonoscopy every five years, they also mention the diverticula pockets.
-
Thanks Stephanie
Ann Alden told me yesterday they have decided the seeds were a myth and you could eat them.
I haven't been able to find anything about it yet.
Thanks Callie also
-
When I had my colonoscopy the doctor told me that I had diverticulosis, as opposed to -itis. I have never had any symptoms. He told me not to eat seeds or nuts (I didn't tell him I had two tablespoons of each every morning with breakfast) but half of gastroenterologists would say do not eat and the other half that it makes no difference. So I have continued with almonds and sunflower seeds every morning. :)
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Yes, the doctor did say that itus is the acute stage with an infection and the osis is a constant that generally does not cause problems. I have had both.. But dont seem bothered at this stage of the game.
-
Next month we read and wonder who or what is behind a mystery, centered around a French bookstore that stocks only 'Good Books' It is a challenge to figure out who is the culprit or culprits that arrange; an auto accident that lands a published author in the hospital, abducts into the forest another well respected author, a known alcholic who they force on him a bottle of liquer so that he ends up in a hospital and a couple of brutes stalk a third author, causing him during his daily walk to lay on the trail of the side of a mountain quacking with fear and the next day to run home as the brutes shout at him and taunt him. After the bookstore opens there are more outrageous attacks -
While reading this book we are treated to the author's many memorable quotes about reading - one gem after the other - The story centers on the opening of a bookstore and we are privy to all the decisions made by those creating a start-up business in Paris. (Steph didn't you own a bookstore - we need you - please...)
Won't your join us - July 1, when Mercie and I start the discussion of "The Novel Bookstore" by Laurence Cossé
Not sure I know how to do this but here is the URL for the pre-discussion -
http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=2267.0
We found so many bits and pieces in French sites about this book I am excited - The English reviews seem to have only copied from each other and missed so much that Laurence Cossé brings to our attention in one of the two videos that will be linked to the discussion where an interpreter sits by her side while our author explains her intent - this will be an adventure reading a literary style we have seldom explored. Come on over and enjoy the adventure.
-
I am still working on the Ariana Franklin book about Berline and Anna Anderson.. Amazing book.. So many things about between the two WW's that I never understood.
-
I posted this in the Library, and thought this would be a good place, too.
Starting Aug. 1, JoanP and I will be opening a discussion of Ivan Doig's
"Dancing at the Rascal Fair". I read it a few months ago, and highly
recommend it. "Dancing at the Rascal Fair" is an engrossing tale of two Irish lads who immigrate from a small fishing village in Ireland to the harsh, but magnificent, Two Medicine country of Montana. It offers the rigors of pioneering, humor, harsh realities and the ups and downs of
love and friendship. I hope you will want to join us.
-
No reading yesterday.. Packing instead. The car is ready, my friend is here and later this morning, we will load up the dogs.. some coolers and off to our great adventure in the mountains of North Carolina. I will have wifi connections, but wont be online until Friday.. See ya later..
-
Just finished a Chiaverini quilt book, "Aloha Quilt". I enjoyed it. It taught me about the Hawaiian applique quilts that i didn't know. Chiaverini did a good job on the portrayal of the main character. She made me want to smack her (figuretively) on the back of the head and say " get over yourself" sev'l times, but i still liked the story.
I'm reading Christopher Buckley's "Boomsday". Very scarcastic story about how the youth rebell against " taking care of" the Boomers. He's over the top, but very funny at times.
Jean
-
Jean, I haven't read that one yet, but I do enjoy those Jennifer Chiaverini books - so thanks to the person that first mentioned them - it may well have been you! - because I would never have heard of her otherwise.
I've just finished "Hidden Talents" by Erica James, another writer (British this time) I had never tried before. It was fairly light but I enjoyed it, - it's about five people who start a writing group. The characters were really well drawn, and I look forward to reading more of EJ's work.
Rosemary
-
I just finished The Plot Against America by Philip Roth for my f2f book club. Well written and twist on a theme: an American holocaust.
We're now reading The Help, which I've read already (actually listened to), but I loved it and wanted to read it again anyway.
-
I read one Philip Roth book, hated it, have tried with considerable success to
forget about it...and of course, never read another.
-
Babi, I am with you. Read two of Roths. hated them, have avoided him ever since. What a whiner he is.
-
.....and he doesn't like women. He gave a bad treatment of women in the couple books of his i read when young and when i recently started another, with my raised consciousness, i quickly gave it up - his attitude hasn't changed.
Jean
-
I read a best seller Philip Roth simply eons ago, and could not imagine what all the praise was about. I mean, it was Gross! I hate gross, and see no reason why anyone should inflict it on us.
Have stayed away from him ever since.
-
I read Roth's PORTNOY'S COMPLAINT a long time ago, and really liked it. Will have to give THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA a try.
Marj
-
That's it! That's the one! Read it a ghastly number of years ago and was really freaked by it. Despised it, no less.
Yes, he can write; but what a nasty mind he has!
Gag me with a spoon!
-
Mary Page.. Portnoy should have been drowned at birth. A terrib le book.. Ugh..
-
I didn't like it either. I had to review it for a Library Sscience class and it was a very negative review, but the teacher read it to the class. Portnoy was a revolting little beast. As for The Plot Against America, I found it very difficult to take seriously.
-
There are a couple of well known writers (male) who are much revered by reviewers that basically hate women.. Roth is a good example.
-
Philip Roth, Norman Mailer, John Updike, the three macho guys of literature, ,never liked them very much, but did like Updike's "Rabbit" books. Interesting to contrast their
macho heroes with some of today's antihero. '
Our book club selected, for summer reading: "Abide with Me" by Olive Strout; Brooklyn" by Colm Toibin, and "The Postmistress" " by, I forget. I have had a surfeit of books that take place in little English villages, or new England villages. Are any of these books on your shelf? Can you tell me a little? Our "recommending member, of course, loved them all.
I am currently reading, on my Nook, "The Imperfectionists" by Tom Rachman;' a nonlinear novel made up of different chapters, each centered on a character working for tn international paper set in Rome. They are linked together in ways that reveal themselves as you go along.
-
I've never read any Roth, but remember family members talking about Portnoy when it came out, and they thought it all ridiculous.
But joy, of joy. A serendipitous find at the library -- an unheard of author and a wonderful book. Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monninger. It's sad, but also a very uplifting love story, with much focus on the world of nature. The characters are everyday people with big problems. In the opening pages you learn that a woman has drowned while kayaking. Then the story backtracks from there.
Monninger, a professor at the University of New Hampshire, has written eleven novels, and the two main characters in this book are also teachers in New Hampshire. The main settings are New Hampshire and also the Alagash River in Maine.
Bellemere, we were posting at the same time. The Postmistress is by Sarah Blake. I liked it and rate it up there with some first novels by women in the 40's (thereabouts) -- Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, The Help, and Guernsey Literary Society. I could not get into The Imperfectionists. Maybe I should give them another try sometime.
-
What is the difference between this site and The Library? Sometimes, I am not sure where to post. Oh well, if you are like me then you read both sites, anyway. Someone asked me about A Widower's Tale by Julia Glass. I finally finished it--had to recheck it and then turned it in a day late. Can't say that I recommend it, but I did finish it! It was okay, but too easy to put down and hard to pick up again. I couldn't really get involved with the characters or the book. Maybe it was just the mood I was in......I am now reading 2 books I love so far. Skyward by Mary Alice Monroe. It takes place along the coast of South Carolina on a rehab center for wild birds. Really enjoying it so far. I am also reading The Man in the Wooden Hat by Jane Gardam. Don't you love that title?? Don't know who the "man" is so far, but I am enjoying the book. It is the prequel to Old Filth.
Sally
-
Sally, I like Mary Alice Monroe's books, too. I had some correspondence with her a couple of years ago about possibly speaking to our Friends of the Library. She was more than willing, but we couldn't get a date that particular year. I hope we can get her some other time.
I wouldn't do what you did with your Julia Glass book. If a story or the characters don't grab me fairly quickly, I send it back to the library. I have no problem with leaving an unsatisfactory book unfinished. ::)
-
I think it was Mary Alice Monroe that met with the bookies when we went to Sullivans Island years ago in the winter. Great party..
-
but too easy to put down and hard to pick up again
A sure clue that a book is not really all that interesting, isn't it, SALLY. There have been some books like that of
which I finally say, "Why am I bothering with this?", and go find another book.
Between 'Fiction' and the 'Library' is only the technicality of genre. Library includes them all, while fiction..theoretically..is about fiction only. But like friends anywhere, no matter why we've gotten together, we're likely to wind up talking about anything!
-
If you're looking for recommendations for good fiction, please join us in our July discussion of A NOVEL BOOKSTORE which is just starting. You are likely to find a copy in your local library.
You'll find lots of recommendations for interesting books, nominated by a secret committee who select books for the novel bookstore! Will your tastes match theirs?
Will the act of determining "good books" become dangerous? Join us at http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?board=120.0 and find out!
-
Yes, it was Mary Alice Monroe, Steph, on Isle of Palms, and a great party. She is really a terrific person and spent so much time with us, and brought a photographer along with her. And then the photographer invited us all to the turtle rehab at the South Carolina Aquarium. Two very special people. I hope you and Monroe can set a date sometime for your library group, MaryZ.
-
Finised THWTWH... and am trying to decide what to read next. Will check out my IPAD for all of the books I have downloaded and not read.
-
Steph said, "Finised THWTWH... and am trying to decide what to read next."
Curious. What book is "THWTWH"?
Marj
-
Too many initials..The man in the wooden hat.. Put in too many letters. Sorry.
-
Are there any Mo Hayder fans out there? I'm just now finishing Treatment, my second. He's an English mystery writer and a good one. However, Treatment addresses a a depressing subject and I can't recommend that particular novel, but as a writer he's among the best in my opinion.
-
Hi JimNT!
You've made yourself scarce these last few months. Hope everything is going well.
I've never heard of Mo Hayder, sorry. Looks like another book/author expedition to see what he (?) is about. Oops, it is a SHE with eight books under her belt. I don't recall any of them.
-
Hand Up. Yes Jim I am a Mo Hayder fan from way back. I read her first three books (a bit gruesome for some, but excellent). Then I read "Tokyo" which is a departure from her normal style of writing. Then I read "Pig Island", unusual but good also. I often get Hayder and Tess Gerritson (spelling?) confused as their books, themes and style are quite similar. Both authors worth reading imho.
-
Mo Hayder is a new one for me.Will look her up.. But I will confess that I still stay away from depressing books.. Just not quite ready to handle anyone elses depression, brings back too many memories.
-
The joke's on me. My brother recently gifted me a Kindle and I read all my "airplane" reads on it. I buy the hardcover for "good" books to display on my bookshelves and impress my few friends with my interest in great literature. The point is this; I usually read the dust cover page, introducing the author, and all the reviews on the hardcover but I don't bother with this on the Kindle. Lo and behold, I learn from your comments that Mo is a "she". This makes absolutely no difference to me. I simply was surprised to learn of my mistake. I shall read more "Mo's" in the future.
-
I read half on my IPAD and half in paperback.. Depends on where I am.. At home, more paperback, but in North Carolina for the month, more on the IPAD until I found the Highlands library used book store. What a nice one.
-
Judy Laird -- I sent you an email. Hope all is well.
-
Ann, say Hi to Judy from me as well. I always remember how much she fell in love with the south and how she wanted to explore all of it .
-
I just finished an interesting novel, Painted Dresses by Patricia Hickman. It's another novel set in North Carolina! An older sister comes home for a father's funeral and due to interesting circumstances she and a strange younger sister take off on a road trip. The sister's behavio is never labeled, but she lives with out boundaries, very compulsive behavior. The two off them end up at a deceased aunt's cabin in Ga. The aunt painted dresses (literally put paint on dresses) of different family and mounted them as pictures. Each has a note on to be delivered to someone. As they travel around NC, Ga and Louisiana, delivering the dresses, the older sister learns more about her family and their secrets - of course! But even tho it was the usual dysfunctional family and the usual unvailing of secrets, it keep me reading and entertained.
I started Saving Cece Honeycut by Beth Hoffman, but it was another dgt of a crazy mother story and too much the same as Painted Dresses, so i put it down and picked up The Belt of Gold by Cecelia Holland which is set in Constantinople in the 11 th century. I figured that was enough different from NC in the 20th century to be satisfying :). Has anyone read Cecelia Holland. I just picked it up from the library shelf bcs i was looking for some historical fiction.
Jean
-
I'm reading Fifth Witness now; probably only person in America who hasn't read it months ago. Painted Dresses doesn't sound like my cup of tea but I'll be on the watch for Cecelia Holland. Thanks.
-
Cecilia Holland has been writing for a long time. Mostly historical fiction.. Sort of dry for me, but not bad.. I loved Cece Honeycutt. A different type of rescue and interesting.
-
I, also read CeeCee and enjoyed it. I am currently reading the new (to me) Sarah Addison Allen book, The Peach Keeper. So far, so good. N.C. setting. I read SAA's Garden Spells and really enjoyed it; so am hoping this is as good. I am also reading Dixie Divas. It's good enough to continue, but......Maybe I am like you Jean and need a new setting.
Sally
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Hmm never heard of Fifth Witness. I suspect the type of book, I rarely if ever read.. Spy or James Patterson stuff.
-
I've just started C. J. Sansom's first book, "Dissolutions". Wasn't it someone here who
recommended him? The series is set in Tudor England and I always enjoy good historical
fiction. Mr. Sansom himself is pretty impressive. Ph.D in history and a lawyer, before he began
writing. He is English, lives in Surrey, so the background is all familiar to him.
-
Count me as one who has never read Fifth Witness. I am busy trying to keep cool in this 109° heat and rereading Michael Dibdin's CABAL so as to be all ready for the film of it on Masterpiece Mystery on PBS tomorrow night at nine.
-
Steph said, "Hmm never heard of Fifth Witness. I suspect the type of book, I rarely if ever read.. Spy or James Patterson stuff."
No, not that kind of stuff, Steph. A really good legal thriller with Mickey Haller (The Lincoln Lawyer) by Michael Connelly. The best Mikey Haller novel yet. Not exactly a "thriller" but certainly a page turner because the trial was so interesting. Amazing how much Connelly knows about trials and strategy. A young woman has had her house foreclosed on her and after no luck talking to the head of the bank's loan department, starts a group that marches in front of the bank in protest. Then the bank's loan manager is killed and she is blamed.
Marj
-
I love Connely, but dislike the Mickey Haller series and stay away from it.. LIke the cops ones and the FBI ones.
-
I just started Bent Road by Lori Roy. I've already completed three chapters. This one is a true winner. It's Roy's debut novel and I feel confident that after only three chapters, we'll be hearing more about her. Of course, I also predicted that Cold Mountain would never go anywhere.
-
Just finished an Elizabeth Berg. What we Keep..It was OK, but a big melodramatic in theme. When books are .50.. I pick up stuff I wont other wise buy..
-
For $.50 it's worth the gamble, isn't it? No telling what gem you might pick up.
-
Just finished The Cross Country Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini - OK but not, IMO, as good as some of the others in the series - it felt like she was writing to a formula to meet a deadline, especially towards the end.
I am moving house next weekend, so am trying to finish my library books before they get buried in the move and i end up with huge fines!
Rosemary
-
Rosemary, will you keep the same library after your move? Good luck.
Steph, if you like cop and FBI stories I think you would like Mortal Shield by Thomas Taylor. I'm almost finished and have found it fascinating. It's a novel about the people who protect state and local elected officials, in this case, state of Missouri and members of the State Highway Patrol. It has good plot, good characterization, good writing, and I learned a lot about a group of professionals that don't get a lot of publicity. The author has spent his career in protective services. Thos would make a great movie.
-
Just finished " The Senator's Wife" by Sue Miller. Very interesting story of a young couple who move into a duplex. On the other side of the house is a woman in her 70's who is " the senator's wife" . The book follows the two lives of the young woman and the older woman. The young woman is very upset with her body's changes in pregnancy and birth. The older woman has an interesting relationship with her husband of decades. Their lives intersect and intensely so near the end of the book.
Jean
-
Pedln - thanks. And no - East Lothian is a separate local authority from Edinburgh City, so it has its own library service. My daughters will still be able to use the city libraries as well, because anyone who lives, works or studies in the city can do so - so I will just have to prevail upon one of them to get me any books that I can't get out in the country. But in fact I believe that E. Lothian is a pretty good council.
Rosemary
-
Thomas Taylor. Sounds interesting.. I have picked up too many cozies and am bored with them..
-
And that can happen so easily, ROSEMARY. And considering how long it sometimes
takes to get all the boxes unpacked, it could be cheaper to pay for the book. I
sometimes check in several books, all due the same belated date and checked out to
the same party. I would wager they either moved or went on an extended vacation.
-
Steph, try reading the Ivan Doig books. I'm re-reading Rascal Fair for the discussion here, but he writes so well.
-
I am 2/3rds of the way thru Cece Honeycut, what a turn around this book made from the first 50 pages! I said that i started it and put it down since i had just read a book about a dysfunctional family, but i picked it up again last night and LOOOVE it! That would go on my 1001 list, primarily because it reminded me of all the adult women i had relationships with as i was growing up. First of all my sisters were 15 and 8 years older than me. There were a lot of young mothers in my neighborhood thru the 50's and i would visit and chat with them as they ironed or prepared dinner. I tried to remember last night what we talked about, but i couldn't remember one single specific conversation. I assume that was because it was all normal stuff......what i'd been doing, what their kids were doing, what the neighbors were doing. They must not have minded me being there, none of them ever sent me home.
That took me thru a long revelry of thinking of how many houses there were on my block that had an apartment, or four, in them. So many people are focused today on single houses or on big apartment complexes that our kids don't have that picture of sharing a house. There are sev'l dulpexes in our current neighborhood, but it had never dawned on me about how many multiple family homes there were in my town, it was just normal. ::)
I love the " Auntie Mame"-like character in Cece. I was laughing out loud at her antics.
I was thinking at first that it would be a good book for our book group, but late in the book there was more "religion" talked about and we have some wide divergence of religious thought in our group. From a couple atheists, an agnostic or two and one bordering on evangelism........have to think about that, there are so many things to take off on for discussion in the book.
Jean
-
Me, too, Steph. I am "cozied out" for now. I just checked out The Butterfly's Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe. It is very good so far. I recently read The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen. I enjoyed it a lot. Her books are a little strange, but I like them.
Sally
-
Found a really nice new and used bookstore in Franklin on the Main St., Two cats,, tons of books and a few other things.. All in all a neat store.. Since I am cozied out, got an Elmore Leonard that I had not read.
-
If you haven't read Bent Road by Lori Roy you're missing out on a very good book. It's loosely classified as "Suspense" but that categorization doesn't do it justice; it's much more. if you have read it, I'd love to read your comments.
-
The Big Day coming up! Don't forget to join us.
ANNOUNCING!!
DANCING AT THE RASCAL FAIR!
Opening Aug. 1st, conveniently located at SeniorLearn!
See you there!
-
Just catching up, but will try for Bent Road on my swap club.
-
Babi - I have bought the book from Amazon, but I am unlikely to have any internet for the next 10 days (until Plusnet catches up with us) - but I will try to read along anyway.
Rosemary
-
I just finished Girl in Translation by Nancy Kwok. It is about a mother and daughter who immigrate from Hong Kong to NY & work in "sweat" shop. It was good and might make a good discussion book. Has anyone read it?
Sally
-
I think you'll really enjoy it, ROSEMARY. Join us whenever you can.
I seem to remember that title, SALLY, but I haven't read it.
-
I have heard of the Nancy Kwok and want to read it..
-
Not much going on around here, is everybody just trying to survive the heat??
Its cooled down here but we did have some warm weather. I turned on the AC in the sun room a couple of times but have not turned on the house AC yet.
I've been doing May Sarton and Helene Hanaff and lots of my old stuff and really I do enjoy it.
For any of you that remember Ruth Levia from NY or the Calgary gathering her husband passed away from a series of strokes. There is a page on senior and friends. Raloph also had Altzheimers.
-
We finally turned our AC off this weekend. The temperatures were still in the 80's, but the humidity went down so we opened the windows at night and enjoyed the summer air. Today we had rain and 70's, and this evening we could sit outside comfortably and enjoy our deck.
I'm reading an oddly written British mystery right now. Can't remember the author, but it's in first person and confusing to follow.
-
We are not the tiniest bit cool, but we are having our seasonal rains, which helps with our grass and flowers.
I have been so restless and not able to settle in a book..Went digging in my tbr boxes last night..Came up with Roses, which someone here read a few years back. Decided a nice Texas family story is just what I need for a bed book..
-
I remember Ruth very well. Wishing her comfort from family and friends.
-
Pretty much, JUDY. About the only comfortable place in Texas in August is a seat in front of
the air-conditioner.
-
Amen, Babi! I try to get all my errands done early and then come back home and hibernate. It's really miserable. We are in stage 4 of drought conditions; which means no outside watering at all. My grass is brown and crispy and now many of my trees are really looking stressed. We are all praying for rain and a break in the triple digit temps.
I just finished Bent Road by Lori Roy. It was most depressing, but had to finish it to find out "who done it". I'm sorry I did. Now I am looking for some "upbeat" books.
Sally
-
Roses is a bit overwritten, but I was in the family saga mood and I think it will suit.
-
Steph, I enjoyed Roses--even tho I also felt it was over-written. I liked the TX setting and the family saga. My ftf book club read it last year. Most of us enjoyed it, but a few felt it was "too" much.
I can't remember whether I mentioned The Butterfly's Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe. It was a good book that sent me on a search for Monarch butterflies migration pattern. It also shed a new light on how I felt about the Mexican celebration of The Day of the Dead.
Sally
-
It can be most revealing, can't it, SALLY, to go through a drought. For one thing,
it's so easy to spot which neighbors are ignoring the 'no watering' rules. ::)
Glad you found something to suit, STEPH. I know what it's like when nothing seems to appeal. Wasteland!
-
Sally said, "I just finished Bent Road by Lori Roy. It was most depressing, but had to finish it to find out "who done it". I'm sorry I did. Now I am looking for some "upbeat" books. "
I just finished MURDER IN THE OVAL OFFICE by Elliott Roosevelt. Very good, and gives a lot of interesting history of FDR, Eleanor, and that time in the 1930s.
Another book I really enjoyed recently was Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Hadn't read it since a teen. Wonderful! Now I want to read Elizabeth Gaskell's bio. of Bronte, and watch one or two of the films made from the book. I tried a few other books by the Bronte sisters but could not finish them--boring. But this one kept my attention to the last page.
Marj
-
Has anybody read any Judith Tarr fiction? I was reading about Theodora, Empress of Byzantium in the women's history newsletter on About.com. When i looked in our library catalogue thet have 17 fiction books by Tarr, all about kings and queens from the Egyptian civilization thru the Middle Ages. I think i'll pick one up the next time i go to the library.
Jean
-
Noted! Thanks Jean.
-
Will check with my book club for the Tarr idea.. Never heard of her.
-
Okay, now I know to stay away from Lori Roy and 'Bent Road'. Good to know which books NOT to add to my list. Thanks, MARJ.
I'm not familiar with Judith Tarr, but apparently she has written a great deal of
what I might classify as fantasy. I wasn't aware of any histories, or historical
fiction. Her best known series appears to be "Avaryan Rising". I enjoy good sci/fi
fantasy; I ought to give her a try.
-
Morning evereyone
Overcast here and that is fine with me.
This came this morning from S&F
RAE JoanFL received the following email from Debbie, Rae's daughter, this evening. "It is with a sad heart that I let you know that Mom is done with her earthly battle, and is now with her Heavenly Father. She passed at almost midnight last night (Tuesday). Fortunately my brothers returned by noon on Monday, and the three of us were able to be with her." We will update this post with further information as it is forthcoming. Please join us in sharing messages of sympathy with Rae's dear family. Seniors and Friends website will certainly be unable to fill the shoes of our dear loving friend who did so much to help me in getting this website up and running. My heart is very heavy indeed tonight.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Just finished listening to Roses. I loved it and got engrossed in it. When it ended I felt like I had lost a good friend. I've started Sarah's Key and will be reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. And I've just ordered Dancing at the Rascal Fair from Bookins. I should have it by the time the discussion begins.
-
Aberlaine, the discussion on Dancing at the Rascal Fair started on 1 August. Come join us.
-
I met Rae in Williamsport in October 2001 at the SeniorNet Bash there. Sat next to her at the banquet. Really liked her a lot. Talented lady, and an extremely nice one.
-
I am getting a kick out or Roses.. The old fashioned saga, that is foreshadowing... drawing out the characters.. Neat.
-
Steph I read Roses some time ago and loved it.
-
Since Roses is my bed book, it goes slowly, but I really have problems with the heroine.. To be that pure bullheaded is quite an art.
-
That's true, Steph. However, I do know some people who are that way. I find myself getting impatient with them. They are truly their own "worst enemy".
Sally
-
What's really sad is that such people generally take great pride in maintaining
that attitude, as though it were a virtue or sign of strength. Then they can't understand why they end up being avoided by everyone.
-
I'm reading a very special book that I must share with you all; Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin. Shin is a well known author of several novels but this is her first to have been translated in English. The subject is emotional, as you might expect from the title, and it introduces many readers to an interesting culture. Keep a full box of tissue handy as it is sure to dredge up some some moving relationships. Don't miss it.
-
Have you always wondered why there's so much fuss about the ancient Greeks and Romans? Or have you read some of them but have no one to talk about it with? Come join us and vote on which of these old masterpieces YOU would like to read and discuss in October.
Look at the list and discussion here: http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=2395.40
Vote here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CRGVGSH
-
Jim NT, I've heard and seen a lot about that book, -- Please Look After Mom -- but have not yet read it. The reviews have been good, and I'm very glad to get your recommendation.
-
I noticed that book among the 'new' acquisitions at my library, JIM. I'll defiitely
have to take a look at it.
-
I am currently reading an interesting books about Autism.. written by a sister and from her point of view.. I know.. what is the title and the answer is"' darned thing is downstairs.. try to remember to bring it up later.
-
There is also an autistic woman who writes books, but I can't remember her name.
-
A very interesting memoir written by a woman who has autism is "Song of the Gorilla Nation: My Journey Through Autism". I mentioned it a few yrs ago when i read it, but i probably mentioned it in non-fiction. She had a very hard young life, but her life was changed when she began to watch the interaction of the gorillas at the zoo, and by their keeper who noticed her being there every day. Her last name is Prince something, hyphenated. She is now a PhD in English. It is a wonderful story of how one person paying attention-the gorilla keeper- and being willing to help can change a person's life.
Jean
-
"House Rules" by Jodi Piccolt is another novel about autism - told from the viewpoint of the autistic person. I thought it was very good.
-
My daughter has just re-read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - another book written from the viewpoint of an autistic person, and very good.
Rosemary
-
I remember that one. Didn't care much for it - but don't remember why.
-
Temple Grandin, who is autistic, has also written several books (nonfiction). I very much enjoyed her "Thinking in Pictures," which was also the basis for an excellent HBO film about her. See http://www.templegrandin.com/templegrandinbooks.html
-
The book is " How to Be a Sister" by Eileen Garvin. She is a member of a family of five. Her three year older sister is a severe Austistic. It is well done. Gives a nice clear picture of the joys and sorrows of being in a large family with one special child. She loves and dreads being with her sister. However her parents had enough money to buy and equip a group home where they live on the west coast, so her adult sister has full time care givers and three roommates in the home..
I had read the Jody Picoult and as always with her, she twists the ending to something ugly.. Her book endings always drive me nuts.. This male with Aspergers ( I know , spelled probably wrong) is never going to grow up and his brother is really truly neglected.. Sad and hopefully not the way life is.
I am interested in Temple Grandin..She has a milder form of autism.. The numbers as they rediagnose are getting higher and higher and the DNA results for families is scary.
-
See how useful these book discussions are? Thanks to a number of warnings
about Jodi Picoult, I happily have avoided reading anything of hers. Think of all
the time and annoyance it has saved me. ;)
-
My goodness - I feel as if I should do penance for saying I liked a Jodi Piccoult book - even if I did err in saying Autism instead of Aspergers.
I shall go on my knees and humbly confess I have never read another book by her that I did like.
Mea Culpa.
-
Aspergers is in the Autism spectrum, Callie; so you did not say wrong.
As for the book House Rules, everyone in my family has read it and appreciated how well it portrays a teen age boy with Asperger's. I have 2 great grandsons, brothers they are, with Autism; each slightly different from the other. They are 5 and 7 years old. Their grandmother, my daughter, has a stepsister who has a 19 year old with Aspergers. I can remember well the very day and the very hour when his despairing mother read a magazine article that described her 4-year old perfectly, and she was SO relieved. She pushed and pushed for testing, and finally got it with that diagnosis. The county insisted upon a second opinion, requiring a second set of testing. The diagnosis was firm and the boy had special schooling, at great expense, until last year when he entered a main stream state college, a year later than his age group, and did great scholastically and had only one meltdown that put him temporarily in a lockup until the college sent counselor and medical staff to rescue him.
I never heard of or knew anything of any type of autism until I was in my sixties! Either the afflicted were very well hidden all of those years, or they did not exist! So I ask, WHAT is happening to these descendants of ours? To our species?
-
Below is a link to the home page of an autistic young man from my community. Although he lived (part-time) in my neighborhood, I did not know him well, and have not seen him in several years The discussion here prompted me to google him and this is the first I have seen his website. His accomplishments, including a degree from the California Inst. of the Arts, are amazing, but as he tells, it was not always that way.
Taylor Crowe (http://www.taylorcrowe.com/)
-
I like Jodi Picoult's books. I believe there is a lot of research involved in most of them. I do agree also that I am never really happy with her ending. Lots of people are not happy unless a book has a happy ending That really isn't why I don't always like the endings,it's not so much a "happy"ending but sometimes it's a strange ending and I end up going back and rereading the last chapter or two to make sure I read it right.
-
I find it necessary to defend Jodi Picoult's books. I have read all of them I could find and find them quite thought provoking. I would rather read a book that does not manufacture a happy ending when the circumstances don't wrrant it. Picoult deliberately chooses very difficult life situations to write about but her characters seem human and respond like real people. When it comes to books where the writer manipulates a good outcome that doesn't make sense I think of the quote from Oscar Levant: "I can't watch the Dinah Shore show; I'm a diabetic."
Most of us are old enough to remember Dinah and Oscar.
-
Thank you, Pedln. I have e-mailed that site to the mother of the lad with Aspergers and my granddaughter who has the 2 little autistic boys.
-
I also like Jodi Picoult's books. Happy endings do not necessarily make an interesting, well-written novel. She does seem to do a lot of research, and her characters always seem realistic. I wouldn't "happily avoid reading her", Babi.
-
I have read several Jodi Picoult books. She is a good writer, but I finally gave up on her since her books always left me feeling depressed. I don't need my reading to do that to me!! I think people either love or books or steer clear of them.
Sally
-
It s not the unhappy endings that bother me. It is the fact that the person who is vulnerable in a different way is always thrown under the car.. Autism takes many forms and for many years, only the non speakers and acting out type that got the attention. Now they are beginning to realize that there are many forms of autism.
My 9 year old grandson has finally been diagnosed with high performing Aspergers.. We are all relieved since it is our hope that now the school will understand the meltdowns and perhaps react somewhat differently.
I guess the House Rules bothered me since I grew up in a household with a brother eight years younger who was hit by a car and left crippled. All of my parents attention was always focused on him and I was left to survive any way I could. I know how hard this type of thing is on the siblings and Jody loves to destroy the other children to save the one she is writing about.
-
URSA & TOME, you are quite right, of course. A happy ending is not what I expect
in all the books I read. What influenced my thinking were the comments that
all Picoult's books had 'horrible' endings, even those where it wasn't really
needful. I can't help but think that Ms. Picoult has a personal problem there,
if that's correct.
I have seen several films that included the subject of autism. And I read up
on ADD, which my grandson had had to deal with...successfully, I'm happy to say.
-
Finished a one day fun book.. Last of the Honky Tonk Angels.. Marsha Moyer.. Fun, easy read that had some interesting lessons..
-
Lessons in what, STEPH? ;)
-
The book is written in two voices. Both female. The younger is going to be 15 in a few months and the author really has a good touch with her voice.. All of the ups and downs of a young girl who has to learn to live with a father she never really knew and his girlfriend.. She learns of a grandmother, a small town, a first love and you get the inner emotions and the erratic behavior of a teen..
-
I just finished Please Look After Mom. Great book. This would be my choice of the book I'd leave my "forty something" sons but, of course, they'd never read it. There's a few aspects I don't fully understand but I think it stems from the cultural differnces and these aspects did not in any way dimish my understanding and appreciation of the theme. I'll probably read it again in a few months. My wife is thoroughly bored hearing about it but it's such a well presented and thought provoking subject. I'll be proud to have this one on my library shelves.
-
I wonder if I'm too old for "Please Take Care of Mom". My own kids do a great
job of looking after me without offending my sense of independence. I'm wondering if they would think I was hinting at a lack on their part if I read that book? My Mother is long since deceased, and my stepmother, God bless her, is
healthier and far more active than I am. :D
-
Babi: Your comments are interesting and I appreciate your thoughts re Please Look After Mom, but I don't believe one should deprive oneself of an excellent book because of the title. As a husband of 75 with six years on my spouse, I obviously have a particular reason for wishing that my children read it but I initially chose to read it because of the rave reviews and the idea that it would be beneficial to relive my relationship with my own mother. I'm sure that many readers would just as soon not surface these emotions. The book reminds me of many things I should have said and done differently, but I'm comfortable with thinking about them.
-
Steph - do you think the Honky Tonk Angels book would be good for my 13 year old to read? Sounds like her kind of thing.
Rosemary
-
Rosemary,, a bit graphic for that age.. Actually I suspect most 15 year olds can handle it, but unless the 13 yo is quite grown about sex.. I would wait a bit.
-
JIM, you are quite right, of course. I suspect my reluctance to pick up what I don't doubt is
an excellent book, may be due to the fact that I lost my mother at the age of 13. She was
only just beginning to emerge, for me, from the 'role' of mother into an individual whom I was just beginning to know as a separate person. I guess there are simply too many regrets there.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Thanks Steph - I will wait until she is a bit older. Whether she can "take it" or not, I don't want to encourage her!
Rosemary
-
The book is not graphic.. But the girl moves in with her
Dad and his girlfriend and it is a small house.. so she is aware of love and life around her and muses on it.
-
Last day to vote on which classic to read next.
VOTE HERE http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=2395.80 (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=2395.80)
-
Just really inhaled in the past two days.. Lisa See..."Dragon Bones" It is sort of a mix.. General fiction and mystery.. Seems she has written three books in a series on a Chinese Red Princess. These are people in china whose parents were both involved heavily in the revolution and consequently are important people in China. She is Lin Hulan and she is married to an American. This is the third book in the series and I am busy trying to find the first two. Tells a lot about current China,, historic China and in the process solves several grizzly murders.. Reveals a cult.. and really is just fascinating.
-
I've finally gotten into Dancing at the Rascal Fair. I started a bit late to participate in the discussion here, but I'm reading the comments as I go along. A great book about Montana and its Scottish settlers.
I'm also making my way through The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks for my monthly f2f book group. A bit technical and slow. But a fascinating read.
-
So glad you're enjoying "Dancing at the Rascal Fair", ABERLAINE. It is unquestionably one of
the best books I've read this year. Doig is really good!
-
Steph, "Dragon Bones" sounds interesting. Will check my library for it.
-
I am in the middle of our library book sale, and am in charge of the Special collections table, but I have the fiction and mystery women on the lookout for Lisa See... I did like the third one and want to read the run ups..
-
Our library book sale is 3-12 September. We'll work a couple of shifts, but I don't know which ones yet. We're pretty flexible, so the scheduler will assign us our times later on. Good luck with yours.
-
Amazing. We were mobbed yesterday at the book sale. This is supposed to be our small sale, but we had as many donations as the large sale in the winter. We made over 5000.00 in five hours, so you know what the mob scene looked like..
I was out in the lobby with my big books and classics, etc. People buy the most amazing things..There isnt a single book that someone doesnt love. We did have one set that was remarkable. It was every single Nobel winner, the book, the author and a biography all alphabetical. Ran to 22 books.. Whew. and I sold it.. Only 25.00, but the man was thrilled and I was thrilled about not having to move it about at the sale.
-
It's a good thing I wasn't there. I would have had to have it, and the last thing I need is a big new set of books.
-
Babi, I've been lucky to have read some great books this year. I'm adding Dancing at the Rascal Fair to that list.
-
I think you'll be very glad you did, ABERLAINE.
-
Our library has several Lisa Lee titles so will check out "Dragon Bones" today. I like to try new authors but still cling to my favorite old ones.
-
I'm reading "The Way The Crow Flies" by Ann-Marie MacDonald. There are two story lines, one of which is very disturbing. However, they're beginning to intertwine and I don't want to put it down.
Has anyone read it? Comments?
-
Steph, do you think that mob scene could be credited to people thinking real books might disappear?
-
It is startling the number of peole who referred to not liking anything but real books,, but the library just started with ebooks and the demand has been spectacular..So I think people will do both.. I know that I am taking my IPAD with me to Scotland, but also maybe three paperbacks just in case..
-
I enjoyed reading "The Help" and saw the movie yesterday. It closely follows the book and it was really good. So often I don't enjoy a movie after I have read the book but this time I think the movie is as good, maybe better than the book.
-
Steph...the same is true here in our little burg. Adult circulation is down a bit, but the borrowing of ebooks is continually rising. I never thought I'd be an ereader, but I must confess that I adore it. I can get new issues from the comfort of my chair in this little town, and cheaper than paperbacks in many cases. I tuck it in my purse and have my whole elibrary (some 170 titles) now at my fingertips...literally.
Have a wonderful time in Scotland. We enjoyed our visit there some years ago.
jane
-
Our library system are suppposed to have e-books available for checking out sometime by the end of the year - when Amazon makes this available for libraries. I know some systems already have it, but then there's the one here..... :'( I have had several folks comment at my sitting in the bookstore at the library, selling books, and reading my Kindle. ::)
One good thing has happened. The city and the county have finally parted ways wwith the library. It's now just a city library, and anyone not living in the city limits has to pay a fee to check out books. (The county was dragging its heels re providing their share of the funding.) Only one branch was not in the city limits, and it was in one of the other incorporated towns in the county. That small city has taken it over. Nothing like local politics to keep things interesting.
-
FlaJean, I recently saw The Help and really enjoyed it. I had read the book first and thought the movie followed the book quite well. It's not often you can say that about a movie.
Sally
-
I just finished Icy Sparks.. Interesting book. It was an Oprah pick a while ago, but I just got around to it. She does love mountain people books. This one has an interesting protagonist.. Icy is trapped with a problem noone knows how to solve.
-
I would guess the younger generation would readily take to the ebooks. Does that seem to
be the case where you are, STEPH? The older generation are more likely to want to continue
their lifelong love affair with the printed book.
Question: how many books will one of those e-readers hold? Can you delete those you are
not interested in reading again, to make more room? And how is it on your eyes? I'm sure
there are several e-book readers here who can give me their opinions.
-
Babi, I can only speak for Kindle, which is great for the eyes. There's no glare and you can adjust the size of the print, which I like.
I think the number of books is something like 3500, but that may be an exageration. Amazon can store them, but don't ask me how. How it works with other its, mobiles, tablets, etc, I don't know, but would guess it would be based on the units memory, or how the provider achives the titles.
There's a lot to keep up with in all this technology business, isn't there.
-
Yes, you can "delete" a book when you've read it, which I usually do with some of the "freebies" I download from Amazon.
The Kindle lets you adjust the size of the Font (I have mine at a medium setting). Only one drawback...it isn't lighted, backlighted or any of that. You must have a light source to be able to read the screen, clip ons are available most anywhere. Reading in the daytime or outside is fine as there is no glare in that.
-
You can adjust the brightness on the iPad. I think the only limit on the iPad would be depending on size of memory you buy (8gbs, 32gbs or 64gbs). I love my iPad.
-
Steph, tell me more about the Icy Sparks story. My library has the book, but there's no description other than "Oprah's book club!" how about that? Oprah only needs one name and is important enough to be a "description" of a book!
Jean
-
I deleted two downloaded files from Kindle but they went into the archived folder. I wanted them deleted, period. I get the impression that what goes into the archive folder is actually a "pointer" file that goes out to Amazon and re-downloads the book if you want to read it again. I could be wrong on that, of course. Anyway, I don't think I can archive any of the books I got from other sites. Those I just delete and they are gone. I can redownload them from my computer if I want the again,
-
I love my Kindle, and have no desire to read an "actual" book any more. I do, of course, for one reason or another, but that's just not important to me. I can't imagine that I would ever have more books than the Kindle could hold - it's almost infinite. When I delete one, it goes into Amazon heaven somewhere. But it's always mine, and as I understand it, I could always retrieve should I so desire.
-
When you delete a book from home on the kindle it goes into the archive so if you want to read it again you can. If you want to delete it entirely you have to go into your account and delete it from there. At least that's what I remember reading how to do it. I've never tried it.
-
Thanks, Jeriron. I'll look into it. The two I don't want were freebies from Amazon. I doubt I would delete anything I actually paid for.
-
Icey Sparks.. It is the story first person of Icey who lives with her grandparents and from an early age starts eye popping and the tics and jerking and then the language uproar that is Tourettes Syndrome. The town and doctors have no idea what she has. This is not 2000 or so, but earlier. She has problems and is so ashamed of what she is and does.. A teacher has no patience and she ends up in a mental institution, so they can maybe figure it out. Her only friend at the beginning is a hugely fat adult woman, who is kind and patient. Her grandparents adore her as well. It is simply the story as she grows and begins to understand herself and her life. I loved it.
my IPADis so much fun. I love it.. I am not sure it is just younger people with ebooks.. Seems to me a lot of seniors who have problems holding books, etc.. I am seeing more and more people when I am out for lunch reading their ebooks rather than a regular book.. That is any age at all.
-
Thanks, everyone. I'm not going to techbooks any time soon, but there could come a day....
Yes, it is hard to keep up, and especially to judge between all the different claims, uses, and
perhaps-not-mentioned drawbacks of the mutltude of offerings.
-
I just started Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. I waded through his award winning Corrections but this one shows promise. Corrections is only a hair better than Ultimate Jest by David Foster Wallace which I found to to be a monumental bore. But I'm the one "out of step" as both Corrections and Ultimate Jest received rave reviews. Well, maybe I'll gain favor with the literati elite if I espouse the glories of Freedom. We'll see.
-
Jim, I'm reading Freedom also. Or let's say I've started it. Enjoyed the first section tremendously, the second -- the autobiography part, not as entertaining. But will keep on. I had it from the library, but it's a biggie and then a couple library "holds" came up, so I bought it for my Kindle, since it would probably not be renewable. Much easier now to read in bed.
-
Ihated Corrections, so have sort of put the next one on hold.. Not a favorite author of mine at all.
-
I've started Ivan Doig's "Prairie Nocturne" and so continue to enjoy Doig's masterful hand with
wordcrafting. I've also got "Elephant Journey", read the intro., and I expect I'll be alternating
my reading between the two. "Elephant Journey" is a smaller book than I expected. From all
that was said about it by readers here..ie., they wanted to read it slowly to savor it...I assumed
it was some large tome. I'm looking forward to a really scrumptious holiday weekend with these
two books.
-
I am still off and on reading
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.. It is so loooong.. and not as interesting as I had hoped. Sigh.
-
You have our permission to toss the book w/o finishing, STEPH. I have done so on more than
one occasion. Sometimes, across the room. ;)
-
By now you've probably heard that we've begun the search for a good title to discuss in November. Right now we've got a three-way tie showing. We're only choosing one title this time - for the November discussion. Your input is important to us. The vote will be open until Sept. 8.
Before voting, be sure to read descriptions of each title here - HERE (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=309.msg125961#msg125961) in the Suggestion Box and then cast your vote - today!
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
STEPH: I'm sorry to hear that Kate Morton's "The Forgotten Garden" is not as interesting as you had hoped. Her books are long, but even so I thought "The House at Riverton" was an excellent read and was looking forward to reading "The Forgotten Garden" as well as "The Distant Hours." However, my policy is if a book doesn't "grab" you in the first fifty pages, leave it and go on to something else. There are too many good books out there to labor over one that doesn't excite you.
-
Hi Dean69 Forgotten Garden was OK though far too long - it grabbed me right from the jump but as it progressed Morton telegraphed what was coming too early on so there were really no surprises. In parts she also seemed to be trying to rewrite some of Dickens work. I haven't bothered to read anything else by her.
-
Thanks Steph I have been pondering putting the Forgotten Garden on my Kindle. I cross that off and save some money. Yeah I have to confess after reading most of the trash in the world I had never read a Evanaovich book. I was at the grocery store yesterday and her new one was 40% off and I thought why not??????? I read that book and was really embaressesd for myself I lauughed out loud , laughed til the tears rolled down my face and then laughed some more. All by myself just having the best time ever.
You all owe to yourseves just once anyway.
-
I guess I am in the minority here, as I thoroughly enjoyed Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden. I also enjoyed The House at Riverton and The Distant Hours. Read the review of Garden on Amazon and I urge you to give it a try if you like family sagas.
Sally
-
I enjoyed The Forgotten Garden, as well. I wrote in here at the time that I read it that I felt the jumping back and forth in both time and with different people was difficult for me to follow, but the tale was an engrossing one. I have The House At Riverton in my pile TBR.
-
Yes, Judy, Evanovich can make one laugh outloud. Some of hers are better then others, but i've laughed at each one, which number were you reading? They are just plain entertaining, something i need on a regular basis. I generally have at least three books "going" at a time - a good fiction, a cozy (entertaining) mystery and a non-fiction. Depending on my mood i choose which one to read at bedtime.
Jean
-
Sicne we received word of Eloise's passing last evening, we have been working on a Memorial site where we can share memories of our time with Eloise and words of condolences for Eloise's family. It will probably won't come as a surprise to them that she was loved, but by so many!
Even if you've expressed some thoughts here since yesterday, will you please repeat them in the site we intend to send on to the family? Thanks.
Memorial Page for Eloise De Pelteau (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=2486.0)
-
My bedtime choice is usually the smallest, lightest book, JEAN. If my current reads are
all big or heavy, I can always grab the 'Smithsonian'. Or, if I'm really lucky, I'll just
fall asleep immediately. (Where's a 'sleepy' icon when you need one?)
-
I save my magazine reads for bedtime and "The Smithsonian" is a favorite.
-
Writing of magazines, there are some very good ones, like Smithsonian to which I subscribe. But, I've never enjoyed a magazine as much as Bookmarks. It's one of the few I read "cover to cover".
-
Glad you're on my team, JimNT. Bookmarks was the "find of my life", and it is one that I also read from cover to cover. Everything stops when the postman brings it, and I sit down to read it.
-
Yay, Bookmarks. I've loved it, ever since Andrea/ALF introduced me to it, and I also give a birthday subscription each year to DIL.
-
I just read a review rated five stars in the pub I was reading. I'm not ordinarily influenced by ratings but I seldom see a five starer. It's titled The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach. The review was lengthy and very informative. While I'm an avid baseball fan and not averse to reading selected books about the game, this book is not about baseball. I'll be placing my Amazon order today. It appears to be a classic. If you are familiar with it, please let me know your thoughts. Thanks.
-
CONGRATS, AUSSIES!
Good to see an Aussie tennis player winning a Grand Slam event!
-
WOW - I didn't even know until you told me JoanK. She beat the giant killer. ONYA SAM!!!
Thinking about all of you on such a tragic anniversary. Vale.
-
JoanK: Just lookit Sam go! ;D ;D
-
I came in this morning to let you know that the vote for an in-depth book discussion in November ended in a three-way tie:
The Elephant's Journey, Ship of Fools and two novellas by Eudora Welty: The Optimist's Daughter and The Ponder Heart.
We'll need to do a run-off vote to determine what it will be. Thank you for your help with this - November really isn't that far away. The vote is open through September 19[/b]
REMEMBER, once in, you must vote in order for your vote to be counted. If you need more information about these titles, there is a link to a review of each one in the heading of the Suggestion Box.
VOTE HERE (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=309.msg125961#msg125961)
-
I was stunned when i heard the commentator say that this was the first Aussie to win since Margaret Court in '73!
-
"this was the first Aussie to win since Margaret Court in '73!"
The phrase was more narrow than that. The first Aussie (or aussie woman) to win the US Open. When did Pat Raafter win Wimbledon? Goolagong won Wimblrdon, too.
-
I've just run across a remarkable sounding book called The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Has anyone read it? It is now on my wish list. The customer reviews make it sound sooooo enticing.
http://www.amazon.com/Night-Circus-Erin-Morgenstern/dp/0385534639/ref=sr_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315969931&sr=1-15
-
My copy came this evening - Random House did a terrific job of promotion and the book sounds divine - an adult fantasy - I'm hoping something on the order of the movie The Fall (http://www.amazon.com/Fall-Lee-Pace/dp/B001BPJJ9G/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1315971660&sr=1-1) or Heath Ledger's last movie The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (http://www.amazon.com/Imaginarium-Doctor-Parnassus-Heath-Ledger/dp/B001HN69AY/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1315971780&sr=1-1)
I did like the cover for the British release more than the one for the US - Look isn't the Brit's cover just grand...The Night Circus (http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lr3drg5FnF1qkrvrho1_500.jpg)
-
"this was the first Aussie to win since Margaret Court in '73!"
JoanK:
Yep -Sam's the first Aussie girl to win since Marg Court/Smith - Goolagong won Wimbledon twice and the French too as well as numerous doules and Mixed doubles Slams but never won the US.
Pat Rafter won the US twice but didn't win Wimbledon - he was twice runner-up.
And that's more than anyone wants to know.
-
Shades of Charlotte Heyer! That really lovely cover made me think of her immediately. I do
hope both of you will report back when you've gotten into the book.
-
GUM: thanks: I had it backward in my memory.
To celebrate you Aussies, I have finally put away the wonderful jigsaw puzzle Rosemary sent me (an old map of England which had been sitting on my puzzle table since I worked it, it's so much fun to look at) and stsarted a new puzzle: "100 kangeroos and a boomerang".
-
Well that sounds easy Joan ;D ;D - at least you should be able to find the boomerang.... :)
-
JoanK: That's a crazy jigsaw - I just googled for it and tried to find the boomerang - watch it - some of those 'roo tails look just like a boomerang. :D
-
Exactly! I've looked and looked at the picture and can't find it. Maybe when I get the puzzle worked. I have another one: "100 elephants and a mouse" and I STILL cant see the mouse!
-
Michael Hart. Inventor of the E-Book.
Here I am living in Urbana, Illinois and having to read this artical in a UK Paper.
Going to copy it and send to our local paper asking why they did not print it.
Getting tired of reading nothing but what is going on in the Mideast all the time.
Is there no other news to be had.?
-
the news isn't news any more - it is one giant ad campaign for whatever political viewpoint is being sold to us. Plus that I have read at least 6 articles and attended a couple of workshops that all say the Boomers are in a deep funk and have been for over ten years - with most Boomers at the top of their profession it is likely we are getting their viewpoint which according to these articles is the lowest outlook of any other generation.
Here are a couple of the articles
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/880/baby-boomers-the-gloomiest-generation
http://www.aging.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=2133&textonly=1
-
About half way through reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern - it is a fantasy and a mystery and a love story and a coming of age story, even cruelty and the most amazing description of characters - all that and yet, I am not seeing it as a book to center a discussion around - one bit that is introduced in the beginning is the concept that everything is energy and there are some special folks who are more than a typical Circus conjurers of magic -
That is part of the mystery - who or what are they - of course in every other way act like normal folks but the amazing feat is they can use the energy in the universe to cure - Now I understand healing but curing - Holy Hannah - that is when I know I am in the realm of fantasy -
At one point in the story all her finger tips are sliced and using her practiced powers she not only heals them but cures to the point there is no scare or evidence of any damage - talk about a dream that we would all wish could be true. And then to top it off a competing magician or whatever they are that have this powers has a bet where he takes a 9 year old boy from an orphanage and teaches him the same use of energy to perform equal wonders.
The story is so filled with marvelous descriptions that it is part of wanting to know what will be described next as well as, wanting to learn how these folks attained these powers and who will fall in love - and then there are many other characters with equally interesting abilities that reminds me of what the Cirque du Soleil is as compared to an old fashioned circus.
An enchanting book but again, maybe someone else will have a different take but I do not see it having a theme other than focusing a discussion on our belief in energy and if we believe we could learn to use the energy of the universe to our advantage. Although, I am thinking isn't that the basis for the Christian Scientist's prayer - but I do not know if their prayer is to heal or cure. Does anyone know?
-
Judy,, I do love the
Evanovich books..At least the Stephanie Plum ones, although I just did Wicked Appetite and her new heroine is fun as well.
The Forgotten Garden. I think it is the back and forth making me dizzy.. She does not handle these well, and yet I do like parts of the book, which is what is making me read a bit and then put it away for a while.. On my trip.. would you believe 32 people.. four IPADS and at least 6 ebooks.. One couple has two, one for each of them.. It was fun on the bus. One of the others uses her IPAD as a venue for her pictures and has something that allows her to download each day. What fun to look at yesterdays pictures with her..
-
BARB, I don't think I've ever considered before that there would be a difference between
'heal' and 'cure'. Other, of course, than that heal can only be used as a verb. Well, now
you've given me something to think about. (Won't be the first time. ) ;)
-
Like one of my friends who has arthritis - she sometimes has a flair up that with meds can heal and with therapy she can even keep at bay the after affects of the recent demise of her condition - however, that healing does not cure her of arthritis - it is chronic - and I guess there are some folks in the world who really believe they can cure - you hear about it in stories from folks who visit special holy places - so it must be possible - maybe I have never believed so grand ;)
-
Jim NT sorrry to be so long to answer your post 2212. I have not heard of the Art of Fielding and do hope some of the others may be kind enough to give you their opinion.
Judy
-
Interesting..Since I have high blood pressure and have since my early 30's, I know how I struggled with I could keep it under control, but there is no cure.. That was hard to deal with then. Now I am used to it and just faithfully take my pills, stay away from salt and exercise..
-
The more I thought about heal/cure, the more I realized that I separate them on an entirely
different basis. Wounds are healed; diseases are cured. Successfully controlling symptoms
is simply a remission of something that still remains and will return...as we all know too well. :(
-
JimNT,
The Art of Fielding did not get very good reviews and here's a link to many of the reviews that I read.
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=the+art+of+fielding+chad+harbach&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
You might want to read them.[/b]
-
Thank you, Judy. I bought the book but haven't started it yet as I still have less than half of Freedom to read. Speaking of which, I find Freedom very depressing but I'm one of those "nut" cases who must finish every book I begin. For those who've read Freedom, I have two questions: Is Patty's character portrayal typical feminine behavior to the circumstances in which the author has created (Maybe "typical" isn't the right word?)? and Is the autobiographer Patty? I recognize that the book is fiction but it's not fantasy. Does Franzen know what he's talking about?
-
Jim, I'm so glad to see you mention Freedom. I'm reading it now, also, but you sound like you're farther along than I am. I've just finished the "autobiography" and am now into the following section with Richard and Patty at the vacation house. I really liked the first section, the happy Berland family, etc. etc. But then came the autobiography, and I assume Patty is the "autobiographer." And you're right, it is depressing, and the main character is a total mess.
I had it from the library, then bought it for my Kindle because it was really big and hard to read in bed and I had a couple holds coming from the library. Am reading other stuff now too, so it appears I'll get my Freedom in small doses. I'm not a nut case about finishing except for books I've bought at the publisher list price.
Patty is not like anyone I know. She is uniquely a mess.
-
Finally gave up on the Kate Morton.. Just too many over and over retellings..
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Steph - I'm with you on Morton - I finished it but there was too much repetition and she signalled what was to come too clearly for there to be any surprises. Also found parts of it extremely derivative.
-
I'm on my last 50 pages of Major PettigrewI enjoyed it. It was different and I like his character. I could have smacked his son around though.
-
JIM, you really must free yourself from the necessity to finish every book you start. Not
every book is worth your time. Don't worry, the author will never know you were rude to
his/her book. Feel free to toss. ;)
I think you can conclude from PEDLN's post that Patty is NOT showing 'typical feminine
behavior'.
-
Jeriron, I had the the feelings about Major Pettigrew's son when I read the book. It was a very good book.
-
Steph I would like to follow your BP advice, Was that stay away from salt and exercising? That is also my regime hehehe
-
Won't y'all share - even if you do not stay around to chat in Talking heads it would be so great to have as many of us as possible list our favorites in 20 Questions - it really is a way we get to know each other a bit better -
Here we are http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=2510.msg129764#msg129764
-
O h Judy, if only.. The salt is a stay away..The exercise..(sigh) forme anyway isa necessity. I take pills for the BP, but find that it truly helps me to get exercise. The everyday walking is good for me..Just now I am having horrible back problems, but generally I can make that stop if I just keep pushing myself to stretch and walk..
Funny Scottish innkeeper thing. When you go down in the small areas to breakfast, you will discover that you are counted and that exact number of eggs and sausages and a horrid thing cvalled a Potato Scone is waiting.. The men had to constantly ask for more..I am sure it saves money, but it does not endear them to their customers.
-
Babi: You're absolutely right! The compulsion to finish a book regardless of ones interest is ridiculous. However, I have a mild case, or maybe serious, of OCD. For example, two ladies clean our home twice a month and when they finish I embark on a tour of the house placing each minor "whatnot" in its original location; like a bottle of olive oil, a soap dish, a dish towel, etcetera. My wife has learned to live with this malady, bless her, and let's me roam the premises putting everything in its rightful place. Actually, it's very tiring. I must be very selective with my book selection lest I'm saddled with a War and Peace type tome that'll tie me up for months.
-
I do the same exact thing, Jim. My Rubia comes every other Monday, and I cruise the entire place when she leaves and pick up or scooch items back in the exact position I feel they belong. I wonder: should we be admitting this?
Probably not _____________
-
Ah, in that case, JIM. Good luck with your book choices, and do avoid the 800 page books
with fine print. ;D
-
We're keeping the vote open for our November book discussion through end of day today.
If you haven't already indicated your choice, vote for your favorite at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/526QL5B
The three choices are:
THE ELEPHANT'S JOURNEY by José Saramago: In 1551, King João III of Portugal gave Archduke Maximilian an unusual wedding present: an elephant named Solomon. The elephant’s journey from Lisbon to Vienna was witnessed and remarked upon by scholars, historians, and ordinary people. Out of this material, José Saramago has spun this whimsical yet compulsively readable tale - “a triumph of language, imagination, and humor"
SHIP OF FOOLS - by Katherine Anne Porter: The story takes place in the summer of 1931, on board a cruise ship bound for Germany. Passengers include a Spanish noblewoman, a drunken German lawyer, an American divorcee, a pair of Mexican Catholic priests. The novel explores themes of nationalism, cultural and ethnic pride, and basic human frailty that are as relevant today as they were when the book was first published in 1962.
Two Novella's by Eudora Welty: - The OPTIMIST'S DAUGHTER: This Pulitzer Prize winning novel is a story of a southern girl who goes back to her home in New Orleans due to the death of her father and proves completely unable to cope with his passing. She comes to realize that she will not find peace until she deals with her own past and what it means for her father to be gone. - THE PONDER HEART –another, short novel written by Southern writer, Eudora Welty–is the story of the eccentric and eternally child-like Daniel Ponder, narrated by his niece, Edna Earle Ponder - with irony and humor.
Talk about the selections and other books you want to recommend for the future in the Suggestion Box at http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?board=52.0
-
Steph - I am horrified that you had such awful experiences with Scottish food. I have had them all too - BUT there are some wonderful hotels and B & Bs where I have had fantastic meals. There is an organisation called "5 Star B & Bs" and we have stayed at two of those where the breakfast was out of this world - huge sideboards groaning with every kind of cereal, fruit, home-made breads, jams and marmalades, yoghurts, fruit juices, - and the option of a full cooked breakfast, or scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, all sorts of things. These places are often cheaper than bog-standard hotels, but unfortunately they would never be included on a tour. Here are two that are lovely:
http://www.barleybree.com/index.html
http://www.fordyceaccommodation.com/
Potato scones are a ghastly Scottish invention that you would not come across in either of the above establishments. I have to admit that my son loves them - but then he is also addicted to Irn Bru, which is, as they say:
"Made in Scotland. From girders." :)
Rosemary
-
In college, my youngest daughter spent a summer semester abroad, mostly at Cambridge, but with some travel around different parts of England and Scotland. They had some free time for independent travel, and she struck off on her own in Scotland. I don't remember where she went, but Edinburgh was definitely part of it. All the innkeepers took an almost parental interest in her, fussing over her, making sure her plans were safe, and especially loading her up with breakfast. She liked everything she was offered (except for a sort of blood sausage) but no one would be satisfied with the amounts she ate, and kept giving her more. She particularly liked the grilled tomatoes. It was a totally positive experience for her.
-
Rosemary, what is irn bru? Solid or liquid? Animal, vegetable or mineral?
-
I googled Irn Bru - it's a soft drink - a Scottish pronunciation, I guess, of Iron Brew.
What I loved in Scotland was a little cup of ice cream that we got in the Orkneys - called "Heeland Coo" - How the Scots pronounce the name of the long-red-haired Highland Cows. I love it when folks, wherever they are, can poke gentle fun at themselves.
-
PatH - We have grilled tomatoes with bacon and egg - yummy. I think the blood sausage to which you refer has dialect differences all over the UK. My father who was from Mercia (Midlands of UK) used to call it black pudding and adored it with stout. I tasted it and it was OK, although a bit strong, but then I didn't know it was made with blood. Urrrghhhh.
-
Yes MaryZ, Irn Bru is a Scottish fizzy drink that embodies just about all that is bad about the Scottish diet - the only thing it doesn't contain is fat! It is full of sugar, artificial colouring and general rubbish - and it is worshipped by many Scots, along with such delights as cheesy pasta, a revolting packet mix for macaroni cheese that comes out bright orange.
Black pudding is, IMO, more of speciality of the north of England - you could probably get umpteen varieties of it in butchers in the Lake District. The Scots have probably embraced it because it is bad for you! It has also been taken up by some chefs - part of the "it's cool to eat poor people's food" brigade, if you know what I mean. For example, lamb shanks used to be, as they say in Glasgow, cheap as chips, but since Jamie Oliver made them fashionable they are now unaffordable by the people who used to buy them. In France you can get "boudin blanc", which is a similar thing to black pudding, but (obviously ::)) white. In Stonehaven (home of the deep fried Mars Bar....) you can get battered pudding. I think this says it all about the Scottish diet.
But as I have said, there is a sharp contrast between what most people in Scotland eat (see above) and good Scottish cooking, which is served up in many wonderful B & Bs, hotels, etc - things like venison, pheasant, cranachan;
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usrecipes/cranachan/
Cullen skink, salmon, etc. And, as you say, some very good ice cream is made locally - in Aberdeenshire we had the Mackie farms, whose ice cream is really delicious, and there are other local brands in Galloway, East Lothian, etc.
It's not all bad - but I have to admit that a lot of it still is! ;D
Rosemary
-
O h I was sure that this was not the norm. When you are on a tour , you have to deal with numbers. I was really laughing at the extreme north where this seemed to happen. We had wonderful meals in both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Yes, the guide actually put some of the irn bro in our coolers and some of the people tried it. She said it was the national drink.. I stuck to water.
Orkney.. Everything on Orkney was perfect.. What a wonderful set of islands.. Way too cold for me, but oh my, the beauty, history and towns..
-
One year in Colorado, we had a Filipino exchange student. His mother sent me a Filipino cookbook in which was one recipe that began: "Take the blood of one chicken..." Needless to say, I have never ever ever tried that one - :P :o but some of the others were pretty good.
Busy day today. I'm hostess for a Bridge foursome; we go OTL first and play cards at the home of the hostess. I've made an apple dessert - but cheated and used canned pie filling. :-[
I'm also waiting to hear if Ellen and/or family will be here for dinner, which her father tells me they will bring. Yay! However this is Audition Week for semester productions and I suspect Miss Ellen may be too busy to get away. I don't know if the others will come without her. Neither do I know if her uncle and aunt will come, too.
(All My Children live within a 40 minute drive from here and, as is usual with OKC area residents, think nothing of driving all around the metro area for various activities.)
-
When my second husband and I spent about 2 weeks in Scotland in 1971, we adored it AND the food. We did not take a tour, however, but went on our own with a carefully planned itinerary. We first flew from Heathrow to Glasgow in a smallish plane. We adored Glasgow. Loved the cathedral with "the longest nave in any cathedral in the world for a bride to walk down," as I can remember the guide telling us. We were fascinated to have to knock on the door of a house right in the ancient heart of that city to be let in to tour it, and then the man locked us IN! The stone stairway had dents in the middle of each stone and Mary Queen of Scots had stayed there and tread on those very steps! What is more, they went up in a tight wall-enclosed circle so a man with a sword IN HIS HAND could go up! Oh, the stuff we saw and the wonderful maps we bought and the first real Scottish porridge we ate, there in "GlazGOW," as it seemed the natives were calling it. We flew in an even smaller plane to Benbeccula and Lewis, where we toured the Outer Hebrides for days. We even held in our very own hands a bottle empty of whisky stolen from that famous ship that went down and the book Whisky Galore was written about and the movie Tight Little Island was made from. All true. We stayed one night in a weaver's croft on Harris. We stayed on Skye, as well, getting there by ferry. Oh, and we rented a car on the Outer Islands. We did so much I cannot bore you here with it all, but we LOVED Scotland and the food and always wanted to go back. David died before we could.
-
Sounds glorious MaryPage - I think travel has much to do with your travel companion(s) - Some are in awe with their eyes wide open and often I found groups busy making social connections so that injected in the tour is a way to look at the new environment and opportunities as a comparison issue to discuss differences. You do not even realize what is happening till days have gone by and then to disengage in not easy especially if you value the new friendships.
-
Tim and I toured mostly on our own and on the small boats..Both were fun..We did a few bus tours, but disliked the long distances traveled and the meal arrangements, but as a widow traveling alone, a tour sounded safest.
I always thought Mary, Queen of Scots was a truly silly human, so although I saw a lot of places she had been and where she was born and where her son was born, I have not really changed my mind.. Can you imagine insisting that your ladies in waiting are all named Mary as well.
-
I think of her as tragic, wrong-headed, and ill-advised. But when I picture how she was raised and taught all of her life, I feel quite a bit of compassion, albeit no sense of identification. My awe over the house she stayed in, at her having climbed those same stone steps with their indentations from the footsteps of the ages, was just that: a sense of awe for the very age of it all. America was just barely beginning when Mary Queen of Scots died.
-
Several years ago I read all the Mitford series by Jan Karon. Liked them so well that I bought a set (except for the last one). Last night I pulled the first Mitford out of the bookcase to read once again. I had forgotten how good it was and am enjoying it all over again. I had laughed out loud several times before finishing the second chapter. They are worth a second read.
-
Tell us more about the story Jean, i'm not familiar w/ the author or the Mitfords.
-
The series by Jan Karon is about Father Tim, a bachelor (at least in the beginning) rector, in a small Carolina mountain town. The 9 book series began in 1994 and ended in 2005. What an interesting wealth of characters. It has hilarious moments and also very touching moments. It was on the New York Times best selling list and was very popular.
-
After the Mitford series, Jan Karon began the "Father Tim" series. The second one was published in 2010. These are about Father Tim's life before Mitford.
I love the dog that responds to scriptural quotes.
-
I listened to the Mitford series and enjoyed it. Maybe will look for the Father Tim one.
-
I remember reading a couple of the Mitford books way back when. They made pleasant
reading. They might be just the thing next time I'm tired and just want some nice, light
entertainment. A laugh or two is always welcome. One of the nicest things about living
with my younger daughter, is that she can be hilarious. Such an expressive face. :D
-
I liked the Mitford books, but find a little goes a long way. As Oscar Levant once said, "I can't watch the Dinah Shore show; I'm diabetic."
-
I liked the Mitford series, but got tired of them by the end. When I find a series I enjoy I usually read them to "death"--a little compulsive that way, I guess. It's been a while; so may try the Father Tim series.
Babi, I think you would enjoy them. I always think it's best to start with the first in a series. Someone at SeniorLearn recommend the Ivy Malone series by Lorena McCourtney. The first one is Invisible and I really enjoyed it; and have now started the 2nd. I think you would enjoy this series also. Very light mysteries with an over 60 heroine.
Sally
-
I didn't know about the Father Tim series. I'll look for them.
The Ivy Malone series sounds interesting. I'm going to check my library for them.
-
Years ago Ginny introduced us the the The Mapp and Lucia series by E.F. Benson - they are a riot - I believe there are 6 in the series. Lucia and then Queen Lucia - oh I forget but you can get all the stories now in one paperback. The story takes place during the 1920s when a comfortable middle class life included either a housemaid or a butler and so there is a whole secondary story that goes on between the servants - Lucia and Mapp are not upper class like even the new Upstairs Downstairs households with a cortège of many servants.
-
And Ginny introduced me to the Mapp and Lucia TV series, available from Netflicks. Also hilarious.
-
I love Mapp and Lucia, the series is a reread thing for me and I have been doing that for years. Did not like the tv series.. Had my own mental picture of the ladies.. But for laughs and a whole slant on the period, they are just wonderful.
I loved Oscar Levant and read his biography and laughed and laughed. I did remember the Dinah Shore thing and also remember my husband remarked that that was his kind of man.. He disliked sugary type shows intensely.
-
URSA, I must admit to seeing a particular lady on Christian TV, that roused a similar
response in me. After watching her a while, I had to comment that "We were told to
be the salt of the earth, honey, not the saccharine."
-
I loved Mapp & Lucia as well and all. How I roared when, in the first book I believe it was, Lucia had named the rooms in her home after Shakespeare plays. Her bedroom was Much Ado About Nothing. I do believe that will stick in my mind forever, as it was years before SeniorNet was even invented that I read that.
Steph, I felt as you did about the films. Worth watching, but did not match my mental pictures at all, at all.
-
Sally, I checked out "invisible" from my library yesterday and am enjoying it. Mapp & Lucia series sure sounds interesting. Must look for those also.
-
I am reading a really really weird novel now. All about two idiots from Texas who come to a Private Investigators meeint in New York. Thus far, they have met every cliche in the world..The whore with the heart of gold, the innocent from a small town in Texas.. a policeman who is hot hot hot.. Whew.. I will keep on for a while, but not sure why. There simply is no plot..
-
Do tell us the title of the book, STEPH. It sounds like something I'd want to be sure and
avoid. ;)
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
http://www.goodreads.com/series/52649-lucia
http://www.ukcardcast.com/paulbines/Bensonpage.htm
-
Stuck it in my library donations bag and it went off last night when I went to the Friends meeting. so no title.. It is another of the USA Today authors type.. I must learn to avoid their authors.
-
Okay, STEPH, I gotta know. I don't read USA TODAY, so I haven't a clue. What is their "authors" type?
-
I'm curious, too, Babi. But I don't know, Steph. Today the USA Today critic has a review of Charles Frazier's Nightwoods along with an interview. I liked his Cold Mountain, have not read Thirteen Moons.
-
I'm nearing the end of Freedom by Jonathon Franzen and I must retract an earlier comment made here re Patty's behavior. The entire family is dysfunctional! This book reminds me of an incident in Florence, Italy, during Christmas of 2002. My wife and I were strolling through the piazza one cold evening and I bought a bag of roasted chestnuts. Never having eaten chestnuts and only having heard Johnny Mathis sing of them, I immediately regretted it. But one chestnut led to another and before long I was buying a second bag of them. I still can't say I like them but once started I can't stop. Freedom is like that. I can't stand the book but I hate to finish it and find myself thinking about it often. Maybe I need therapy.
-
OK.. Stopped in the library and retrieved it for the name.. Dont Make me Choose between You and my Shoes by Dixie Cash.. Says on the fron USA Today Bestselling author. Every time I have picked up something like this, it is chic lit... So I must stay away..Just way too cutesy..
-
Me, too, JIM. With happy expectations from years of "Chestnuts roasting on an
open fire", I bought some roasted chestnuts while visiting in London. Ugh. Like
eating half-cooked, unseasoned beans.
Cutesy is best in small doses, isn't it, STEPH. :P
-
I had the good fortune to attend, with three of my f2f book club friends, a program featuring Jamie Ford ("The Hotel @ the Corner of Bitter and Sweet"). If you get the opportunity to go to one of his book signings, or talks, by all means go! He is a wonderful speaker, urbane, funny, charming. He definitely won the hearts of my group.
And speaking of groups, this program was sponsored by "Richardson Reads One Book" which is a "nationwide reading program created to develop a community built around the shared experience of people reading and talking about the same book..." I know other cities in the US are doing this. The City of Richardson is a suburb of Dallas, and I will need to look up the population numbers, but it is quite large. This program was held at the High School Auditorium which is the size of most of your music halls, and let me tell you it was full, or nearly full. I couldn't see the balcony from my seat, but the lower floor was full. This was a very impressive turnout, especially to Jamie as he said, "sometimes my audience for these talks is my wife and I and the janitor".
I feel sure we have read the book here, and haven't had time this A.M. to check the archives, but if you haven't read the book, do so!
-
I think Louise Penny has also mentioned this One Book thing on her website - one of her books was chosen, if I remember rightly (which is highly unlikely... ???)
Rosemary
-
Tomereader, I don't think we read Hotel on the Corner . . . here as a group. But could be wrong. It was a good book.
-
The One Book thing has been running here for several years. It began as part of our annual arts festival. It happens during the summer - February - and many local libraries, community groups etc get involved and host readings, discussions, talks etc. The libraries buy in large numbers of the chosen book so it's easy to get one's hands on a copy. The chosen book is often written by a local author and he/she will be inveigled into giving a talk or three and if it has a familiar locale there are walks organised to visit some of the places mentioned in the book. It's all good fun and best of all it engenders so much book talk in the general community that when one meets friends and acquaintances many have read the book and are ready to comment - sometimes loud and long :D
-
Gumtree, how wonderful! Here in Dallas, we are a much much larger city than Richardson, but have not hosted/planned one of these. And that is sad. I know cities large and small are having financial/budgetary problems, and our libraries have been cut back to nearly nothing. Just got word that all the "pages" in our library system will now be let go.
Most branches were down to about 2 or 3 paid staff, and now, no help at all.
-
Reading two good fiction books. I think someone mentioned Kommandant's Girl here, a young Jewish woman in Poland in the 30s, posing as a Gentile works for the Nazi Kommandant. She is also working fir the resistance and so it gets more and more intense as she's asked to do more and more risky things. An added twist, though married to a man in the resistance, she hasn't seen him in months, doesn't know where he is. She is attracted to the Kommandant, which is appalling to her.
The other book is a Nancy Thayer book "Three Women at the Water's Edge". It is the typical mother and daughters story - mother, upright, small town adored physician's wife for 30 yrs is recently divorced and loving it; dgt #1- pregnant w/ her third child, having lovelingly restored an old house, knows husband is having an affair; 2nd dgt teaching in Maine, loving her single life meets an enticing, independent teacher/farmer. As i said it's the typical "woman -finding -herself", but so far it's well written and pulled me in. Dgt #1 is so Betty Crooker housekeeper/mother that the passages about her exhaust me just reading them.
Jean
-
Tome, our city's done the One Book thing - but haven't had the money and/or financing for a number of years. :'(
-
jean, 3 Women at the Water's Edge is the best Thayer by far. I read it years ago and loved it. So, when her new one came out, I think it has Heat in the title, her publisher must've said "put more sex in this one", and it reads like a lusty bosom romance. Yuk. I would say don't waste your time on that one, unless of course....
-
Off topic - but I am curious. I love the US names, e.g. Dixie Cash - is Dixie short for something or does it have another meaning? My ex-husbane had an aunt who lived in Southern US, and they called her Bitsy. Is Bitsy short for anything? Maybe Elizabeth?
-
Dixie is a name that usually refers to the Southern of these United States. It was called Dixieland. Originally that name belonged to Louisiana because they actually had money called the Dix, and that area was called Dixieland. It grew to mean the entire Southern region.
-
Is Bitsy short for anything? doubt it - usually a name just fits - some are nicknames and others are their given name - over the years I have known or have been friends with: Artie, Ibby, Rafe, Izzie, Bambi, Pepper, Jo-Jo, Kissy, Sister, Bo, Cricket, Tiny, Tip, Dee, Duke, Ezz - then there is Tuck, Trey, Ty, Tex and Tank as well as, the well known philanthropist from the Houston Hogg family - Ima Hogg - myth had it that she had a sister Ura but that was just a myth.
That is not even touching all the double names like Joe Abbott - Alma Grace or girls who are Miss this or that or Lady this or that as their name not just a polite salutation - Lady June - Miss Mary Morgan followed by their sur name example; Miss Mary Morgan Schade
And then with a large Mexican American population we all know a couple of boys named Jesus, or Chantico; Girls named, Anacleta, or Palla
-
Southerners love nicknames and double names.. Very common in the south, probably the double names are not that common in the north, but they love to use family names for first names. I once had a friend named Corelli.. She was named because one of her great aunts had married a Count Corelli, They had no children, so her family kept the name in the family by using it as a girls name..
-
Surely the volunteers will still be there, TOME. Our small town library has a
volunteer in there every day, if only for a short while. When I could do more,
I stayed all morning on my day. I still go in and check in the books from the book
bin. I like having something useful to do outside the house.
-
In southern parlance " bitsy" means tiny - as in bitsy baby. I had a friend called Bitsy; she was small but I think her nickname came from what her brothers called her as an infant.
South Carolina is notorious for gifting both girl and boy babies family names as given names. I Knew a family in which the husband was Manney and his wife Gerry - both surnames rather than diminutives. The two sons had family names as given names also.
-
I know a couple in South Carolina, where he is named Josiah, but called Jody and her name is George..Always struck me as strange.
-
Re the double names in the South... My sister and I were not given middle names. My father hated being called by both his names, and he said that if he gave his children two names, they'd be called that, no matter what his wishes were. So..... I went through school as "Mary (none) W......" or "Mary (no middle initial) W......". Oh, well, I'm now legally "Mary W. Z....." .
-
In the early 1900's a family in southeastern Oklahoma named their twin girls "Chickie" and "Chockie" - for the Chickasaw and Choctaw tribal nations in that part of the state.
There were/are Okies E.Z. Million - Sr. and Jr.
-
In Virginia, Bitsy means awfully small. Very little.
Usually a girl named George is legally Georgina or Georgette. Sometimes Georgina will be Gina.
I have a step granddaughter who is to have her 3rd daughter in February. Her husband has a daughter by a previous relationship she is raising with her own. He has a thing for cars, so their collection of daughters are Akira, Nissa, and Lexa. They are all set to welcome Toya.
Oh well!
This is my all-time favorite name that should never have been given:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ima_Hogg
-
My aunt and uncle named their three children Ashley (Gone with the Wind), Jeremy (Jerry and the Pacemakers) and Samantha (Samantha Eggar). My mother was appalled, but when you think about it, why not? But I would maybe draw the line at cars :) The names I really find annoying are the dippy ones that celebrities give their hapless offspring - eg Peaches or Trixiebell Geldorf, Apple, Blanket, Daisy Boo, Buddy Bear- all that nonsense. The only reason those children will not be bullied is because they are so rich. Reminds me of Alexander McCall Smith's merciless send-up of the Steiner School children - Hiawatha, Olive and Tofu; perfect :)
Rosemary
-
I once met a young woman whose legal name was Gaye Hipps! How can parents do that?
Jean
-
Naming children with family surnames as given names is a tradition in some parts of the world - Scotland for instance. Though we're not Scottish (have a few connections there only) my family and DH's as well used surnames mostly as second given names but I used them as the first given name - works OK - they're not way out or silly.
My MIL was named Georgina and all her life was called George or Georgie When I sorted through her papers I came across letters that addressed her as Gina and it took me a moment or two to make the connection - they weren't secret love letters - just notes from one of her sisters. I must say that George suited her far better than Gina.
-
And in my area of the midwest, GeorgeAnne or George Ann is also a girl's name. Family names can be fun...if they work. I always wondered about some woman with a maiden name of ...say, Philpott or Turnipseed (yep, a surname in this area) naming her child that for a first name. UGH...the poor kid!
-
And in my hometown of Racine, WS there was actually a gentleman whose given name was Oofty Goofty. His parents had been in the circus and he was named after a clown, so his full name was Oofty Goofty Bowman. Though he finally had to have his telephone listing as OG Bowman because he got so many calls asking if that was his real name.
My mother was a teacher and one of her students was named Northern Pepper, which of course made everyone thing of the Northern Paper Company located in Wisconsin.
-
My little town ought to be re-named "Enesville". I've never seen so many "enes" in one placed! I am not kidding. We have a Maxine, Merlene, Geraldine, Maureen, Laurene, Verene, Undean, Shirleen, Cherylene, Jacklene, Graylene and probably many others. No, they are not related (at least I don't think so). They vary in ages and economic backgrounds.
Sally
-
Our neice, her maiden name being Perry, named her dgt Perri, which works very nicely.
-
Thank you all for those interesting pieces of information. In the same family as Bitsy is Randy. No doubt short for Randolph. An Australian family would never call their child "Randy", and neither would the Brits, I dare say :o
-
Well he is in good company - Randy Travis, Country singer - Randy Newman, composer - Randy Austin, Country Singer - Randy Pausch, Professor of Computer Science - Randy Orton, wrestler - Randy Jackson, baseball player and another Randy Jackson part of the Jackson Five - Randy Moss, football - Randy Alcorn, Canadian minister - Randy Bachman, musician - Randy Dixon, football - Randy Grossman, football - Randy Kemp, Canadian politician - Randy Quaid, movie star - Randy Weston, Composer - probably lots more
And then in the make believe world there is a Randy in the TV series South Park and a detective in the TV series Monk and Ralph's little bother in the movie A Christmas Story is Randy and Randy is the name of a Swedish Rock Band.
Then turn the y to i and you have a girls name with again, lots of Randi's - I can think of a Children's book author, Randi Weingarten a Union leaders and Randi Sheuerer a Politician from I believe NY.
What can you say - I guess :o ::) ;) some nations just have to have their thoughts in the gutter - ;) :D ah so...
-
Wow, this sure was an interesting discussion!
-
Yep Barb - that's us!!! ;D I don't think anyone in their right mind would even call a child Lesley/Leslie any more in the UK - I'm afraid I know just what his/her schoolmates would make of that.
So many pitfalls to choosing names! My husband wouldn't even let me call Madeleine "Bella" because all he could think of was Bella Lasagna in Fireman Sam :)
However, things can be overcome - my son had a classmate - male - whose first name was Sofianne (or something like that) - he was not UK born, though I can't remember where he originated from. There were boys in that school who could make your life a misery if you even so much as wore the wrong socks, but somehow Sofianne rose above it and became well liked and respected - good for him.
Rosemary
-
Actually my George ( a female) is legally George.. It is something of a family tradition , but she refused to follow it and has two daughters, both have more feminine names..
I once knew a very southern woman who was introduced to me as
Shayla.. at least that is what I heard. Some months later, I saw her name in the newsletter.
Sheila,, but she came from Alabama, hence the soft sounds..
-
ah Sha yla - the veracity of a southern vowel to make itself into a sentence or at least confuse a spelling bee with the old cliché that explains how Mary, Merry, Marry all sound exactly the same as does pin and pen.
-
A popular way of naming boys in my Dad's day was to inspire them with a famous middle name.
Ergo, my father was Oscar Washington and his twin brother was Austin Franklin. Should have
switched. Austin became the military man and my Dad eventually had his own machine shop
and got involved in local politics. ( I doubt the names really had anything to do with it. :-\)
-
Two of our sons-in-law's names are Randy and Bobby - not nicknames, but "birth-certificate" names - both born and raised in TN.
Barb, an acquaintance a long time ago was born and raised in Memphis, and was taught in school that "pen" and "pin" were the same phonetically. Oh, well...... That's why folks around here say "ink pen". :D
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Some names I have gotten a big kick out of are: Colonel, Major, Captain, etc. Nothing like being born with a rank! Legally, yet!
-
Hey Barb - What makes you think that Australians have their minds in the gutter. Did you know what Randy meant before I posted it? :o Bad Girl!!
-
MaryZ - Both Randy and Bitsy come from TN (too hard to spell) or thereabouts. I do know that Randy likes to find old arrowheads in the Tennessee River (spelling?) He sent me one made of flint and it is beautiful. I had a pendant made of it. It is bound with leather and hangs on a chain of bronze. People ask me about it when I wear it. However, frankly, I feel a bit guilty about it as it is considered illegal in most parts of the world to collect archaeological artifacts.
Interesting about pin and pen pronunciation, MaryZ. The Australian accent and New Zealand accent are very similar. The one distinguishable difference is the pronunciation of pin and pen. If it is a pin Australians say "pin", but Kiwis say "pen". They are often teased about this difference, but I like it because it gives me a chance to chat about NZ and declare that it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited.
My poor ex was often teased about his accent at school here in Australia. He has difficulty saying "purple" and "Harry" to the satisfaction of Australians. His accent is a hybrid. He came to Australia when he was 11 so still retains his accent, but the Australian accent is there too. When he goes back to the US many of his relatives tell him "you talk funny". You just can't win 8)
-
MaryPage - I herewith grant you the right to address me as Lieutenant, Louie for short ;)
-
Roshanarose, you spelled Tennessee exactly right. And people find arrowheads around here a lot. I have one myself that I found. It's not illegal to possess them, so don't worry - at least here in the US.
-
Roshanarose - my son was tormented at school for his "English" accent (although he was born in Scotland), but every time my mother hears him she says "Oh, he has such a Scottish accent I can't understand him" - the latter is a gross exaggeration, but as you say, you can't win. At least as adults we don't get bullied about it.
Rosemary
-
Roshanarose - not to prolong the 'Randy' discussion - it brought author Randolph Stow to mind - he was a West Aussie and one of my favourites.
but to family and friends he was always known as Mick.
And I just thought of actor Randolph Scott - but back in those days we were too innocent to make any unseemly connections. ;)
-
MaryZ,, I have some friends from the hills of Tennessee, but they always say.. Tinaseeee. Love to listen.
-
While 'pen' and 'pin' aren't the same phonetically, it would be really hard for
most of us to detect the difference. There are so many words like that, but we
are used to recognizing them from the context.
Of course it's pronounced 'tinaseee'. How else would you pronounce it. ;)
-
Re "pin" and "pen", I started my career in Washington, D.C. and the office was staffed with at least half Pennsylvanians. As a Louisiana native, it took me literally years to detect the subtle difference in the two words and when I pronounced the name of the state university as "Pinn State" my Pennsylvania friends would laugh with great gusto. As one might expect, those weren't the only words I butchered. I do, however, enjoy words and respect the Kings English and while not an etymologist or philologist, I have never learned the appropriate word, I desire to speak and write correctly, if only for the most part. I still use "y'all", have difficulty distinguishing between "bring" and "take" (I've always blamed the Cajun dialect in the southern part of the state in which I was reared), and commit numerous other non sequiturs. Actually, I like regional dialects and regret that they seem to be gradually disappearing. Too soon we'll no longer speak of "dawgs", "hawgs". and "harrses" and that's too bad.
-
Hear, Hear! JimNT! I love regional dialects and pronunciations and hate to see them all disappear. Even though I talk about them, and certainly have my own. IMO, "y'all" is perfectly good usage - as long as it is used properly - as the second person plural. :D It's fun to try to figure out where folks are from by their accents. Three of our grands were born and raised in SC, and I assume (and hope) they'll never completely lose their soft southern accents - even though the oldest is now living in southern CA.
-
We lived for 5 years in a very small village in Aberdeenshire, where the local lingo is called Doric. it is English but with its own variations. eg "Fit like?" (= "How's it going?"), "Mucktie aye" (= "fine thanks"). You "gang awa" ("go away") for your dinner, you have a "fly piece" (cake or biscuit eaten as a mid-morning snack") at the "back of ten" (= before 10am) and you do your "messages" (= shopping). I never ceased to struggle with this, especially when it came to conversation with the older residents. The younger ones would switch into plainer English for my benefit - when they were talking amongst themselves they spoke much faster and with so many local words that it could have been double Dutch for all I knew.
I don't think this is dying out at all - families in that area tend to stay very local, whereas down here in the Edinburgh hinterland there are so many English people that you would be hard put to think you were actually in Scotland. "posh" Edinburgh residents also tend to have English rather than Scottish accents - at least, they don't sound English to me, but they certainly wouldn't sound Scottish to someone from Up North.
Rosemary
-
We loved the various Scottish accents we heard (Glasgow, Beuly, Skye, Orkneys, Highlands). But we did have a delightful conversation (?) with the housekeeper where we were staying. I assume she understood as little of what we said as we did of what she said. But what a lovely, kind lady she was.
-
When we were first married and my Mississippi born-and-bred husband said he was "fixin' to carry his Mother back to work", I had to stifle giggles at the mental image.
After we moved to Colorado and the daughter answered the phone when I called a friend, I would ask "Is your Mother there?" She would always say, 'Mom, it's Mrs. K___". I wondered how she knew - until I thought of how many "r's" were in my question.
Although I didn't use the phrases my DH did, my southeastern Oklahoma accent, which is similar to those of Arkansas and East Texas, stuck out like a sore thumb!
-
MaryZ - to me, people from Orkney sound Welsh. The accent is very lilting and unlike anywhere else in Scotland. The Highlands accent is beautiful. Glaswegian - well, that is another story!
When I first moved to Scotland, a hairdresser asked me if I "had any family" - I eventually realised she did not want details of my mother, aunts, etc - "family" means children as far as they are concerned. I have also been asked many times in Aberdeen "where I stay" - the first time I carefully explained that I was not on holiday, but lived there. In fact, where you stay is where you live in Aberdonian. In London, of course, we would say "where do you live?".
Rosemary
-
We have a cousin whose first name is King because his Mother's maiden name was King.
There is actually a dialect called "western Pennyslyvania dialect" altho it comes out of the central Pa area that has the "Pa Dutch" and "Scotch-Irish" immigrants. I was 23 and teaching when i said to my friend who was an English teacher from the Bronx, "my hair needs washed." She said "WHAT?" i had no idea what she was asking. I has been using that form of grammar all my life, everybody around me did to. She said"it's either my hair needs washing, or my hair needs to be washed!" :D ;D
I found a wikipedia page that laid out the "western Pa" dialect when looking for some ancestral background. I'll find the link. Frybabe, you may find it interesting living in that part of the country.
Here tis!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Pennsylvania_accent
Jean
-
Oh yes Jean! That's another Aberdonianism - I remember that when I used to stand in the queue at the old post office, there was a notice that said "Does your letter need signed for?" - I always wanted to scream "Does it need to be signed for?"
I must admit I didn't realise it was a dialect thing, I thought it was just the post office being illiterate.....mea culpa :-[
Another thing they say in Aberdeen - and again it always jars to me - is "amn't". Even the deputy head of my son's primary school used to say it, and she had a degree in Classics, so maybe I should stop being so judgemental :)
It is pitch dark here and pouring with rain - and my husband is out in the garden trying to install a new washing line thingy. Ironic, no? Weeks of hot dry weather have passed whilst I had nowhere at all to dry clothes, and now the heavens have opened and he is Grimly Determined to sort it out ;D
Rosemary
-
I distinctly remember being made fun of for saying one day, "Throw me down a sweater." I was in the basement at the time, and it was chilly. Jean can attest, I am sure, to the many strange looks from people when we say we are going to "redd up" around the house. I haven't heard "you'ns" for years now. I didn't know there was anything wrong with "my hair needs washed". :o Thanks for the link.
-
Roshanarose, here in the States we say Lou - tenant and in the U.K. they say Lef - tenant. So what do you say Down Under?
And why not be a General officer while you are about it?
-
"Redd up"??? Translation please :)
Lots of Scots say "yous" as the plural of "you", but I haven't heard "you'ns" before.
-
some of the southern African-Americans still use "stay" in lieu of "live".
i.e. - Where do you stay?
And "You'uns" sounds very mountaineerish to me, like Arkansas, Tenn., N. Carolina, anywhere there were and might still be "backwoods" folk.
-
"Redd up" - do some housework.
I never heard the term "you'ns" until our daughter met and married a guy who was from Cleveland (Bradley County), Tennessee. I didn't know it was used any place else.
Another one is the pronunciation of the diphthong "ou" as "oo" instead of "ow" - as in pronouncing "about" as "aboot" and "hoose" for "house". It tends to show up along the eastern seaboard of the United States - mostly in Tidewater (coastal) Virginia. According to what I've heard, it was spread all along the coast by merchant seamen. Interesting bit of word history.
-
Loved that Tidewater...my sister in law used to entertain us saying
"there's a moose in the hoose, let him oot".
-
Rosemary and roshanrose, what is a "Wally?" Grandson Will was christened William Alden, and because he had two cousins Billy and Will, he was called Wally. When the family was living in the Phillippines for a year this little 2nd-grader was told by his little British and Australian friends not to be a "Wally" because a Wally was not a good thing to be. Overnight he turned into William.
-
pedln - A Wally is a silly person, one who makes silly mistakes or says silly things. There are many words used to describe people who do foolish things here. My favourites are "Drongo" and "Galah" (both Australian bird names). Wally must be a fairly recent addition to AUS English, because my father's name was Wally and he was never made fun of. Wally is, of course, short for Walter. My mother always used Walter when she was displeased with him.
MaryPage - I have a friend in the RAAF and he informs me that we pronounce lieutenant as "left tenant". I think this is a bit silly. Lieutenant sound much better ;) If you are suggesting I be called General, I am quite happy with that. Thanks 8)
I like the expression Y'all. Sounds mighty friendly.
You will hear a few different Australian accents here. One of the most extreme is what we call 'Strine. So called because of its very nasal quality, all the way up to cultivated English. I have a virtually accentless voice, but can turn on the 'Strine very easily. Crocodile Dundee and Steve Irwin both have/had 'Strine accents, but the way they speak, contrary to popular belief o/s, is not the way all Australians speak. The States of Australia don't have their own accents, but there is some vocabulary that is different. Also pronunciation - In Queensland where I live now they say "Cassell" for Castle, but because I am from NSW, born in Sydney, I have always pronounced it as "Carsel".
JimNT - I agree with what you say. IMHO there is no such thing as a "bad" accent. I think that idea may have been popular on the playing fields of Eton. Remember "My Fair Lady" and her accent? Overseas Actors have said that the Australian accent is difficult to learn. I attribute this to the fact that not enough people watch Australian movies :-*
-
My son, who is at the age at which they seem to keep up with these things, appears to call people "muppets" these days rather than wallies or drongoes.
-
I'm way behind in this conversation - could comment on all sorts of things already raised but will restrain myself to just a couple.
Lieutenant - had a brother in the Army and when he was first commissioned he was Lef-tenant - and later it was Lef-tenant-Colonel as well. But I have the sense that our Navy favours Loo-tenant but not sure on that.
Rosemary: Lots of those expressions you regard as Scots dialect were alive and well here in Aust when I was a child - My mother always used 'messages' for the 'shopping' and I did too - even now I say it occasionally.
Roshanarose: I agree the accent between Aussie States is almost indistinguishable these days - it mostly shows up in odd words like 'Castle' which you mentioned, and the use of port for suitcase, cossie, togs and swimmers for bathers etc - but it was not always so - In the early 1950s my family moved to NSW and my young brother was asked where he was from - he replied WA and got the response 'Ah! I knew you were a foreigner because you speak funny!' and of course then the NSW people really did have a different accent from the Sandgropers. :D
Someone mentioned the use of names like Major as first given names - this is not strange at all - In DH's family there are three generations of fathers and sons named Major C---- . For them, Major was just a family surname being used.
-
I love accents. They are getting less common in the US, but we still have them. TV has changed the way people speak of course.
My Mother was a virginian..They mostly have a lovely soft drawl..Get Further south and it gets much wider.. Louisiana in the country has quite an accent, Cajuns speak a mix of french and English and it is tricky to understand.
In Scotland, Orkney people spoke a more musical form of English.. But in Glasgow, I found it truly hard to figure what they were saying.
My husband was a radio announcer when we first met. He spoke in unaccented english, but he was like a mockingbird in that when he talked to someone and they had an accent, as they spoke, his voice would change to whatever accent they had. Fascinating to listen to.
-
When we were in England last year, we visited with an old friend from TN. She lives most of the time in VA, but has a flat in a village near Oxford. Her daughter (born, raised, and schooled in TN) married and moved to England about 25 years ago. She's definitely picked up the accent, and now sounds very much British. I don't know how she sounds to a native Brit, but I didn't hear any TN left in her speech. Lovely.
-
Me, too. The dialects and accents are wonderful. It would be a terrible pity to
lose the enchanting Irish lilt or the rich Scots brogue. The soft southern voice,
the highly distinctive regional accents of Brooklyn, New Jersey, the Ozarks, etc.
People here in the States do seem to be much more mobile, ROSEMARY. We don't
have those centuries of background, where people seldom went further from home than
the next village. Our roots are much looser.
ROSEMARY, do pardon me, but I had to lol reading about the clothes line going up
in the rain, finally. :D
STEPH, I used to do that, too, without really noticing. It was really brought to
my attention when an Englishwoman glared at me, and I realized I had slipped into
her accent and she thought I was mocking her. Red face!
-
My whole family, still living in south central Pa, say "redd up" for clean up and "you'ns" and crick for creek, and "rinze" for rinse. Now i'm near Philadelphia and hear "youse". I also grew up with "outen the light" which is from the Pa Dutch of south central Pa. My husband and children love my biological family's sing song "are YOU(much higher on the scale) go-in'?" (sliding down on the "in'"). My DIL who is from north central PA says "bool", like "pool" for bowl and i grew up saying "aboot" and caafee for coffee which my college friends from Philly say cawfee.
Yes, i love these dialects/accents.
Jean
-
In one of Ian Rankin's books he has Inspector Rebus travel up to Aberdeen, which is referred to as Furry Boots Town - as in the standard greeting "Whereaboutsyefrom?" ;D
Rosemary
-
John always teases me because of my saying "pull the door to" for "close the door". I get a lot of "can I push it from"??? :D :D
My family is from NE Texas for several generations preceding mine. A lot of expressions that I heard growing up are actually Elizabethan English, filtered through North Carolina. Interesting how that works.
-
And here in NE Iowa I was confused when I first heard...."my gooms are really aching today." My mind was HUH???? Turns out it's what I pronounce "gums"....the tissue that holds your teeth in!!.
-
When I first moved to New England, we were putting in a new yard, I called to get a load of top soil and the man kept telling me about loom.. I kept saying , I dont want a rug and he was confused as was I. Finally figured it was loam.. That and the fact that they called soda.. Dope.. and a milk shake does not necessarily have ice cream in it up there.
-
A lot of the old English was preserved in the hill country of our Eastern
and southeastern States. With less contact with the outside world, it was easier
to pass down the old phrases and dialects.
A milk shake without ice cream? So, what do they add to make it a shake?
-
In a management training class i taught when i worked for the department of army i would start the communications section by giving them a list of ten words and ask each one to write the first thing that came to mind when i said the word. Of course there were people from all over the country in the classes so it was not only informative - that even tho we may both be speaking "English" words may not have the same meaning- and fun.
Some of the words were "pop,.... poke,.....hog,.....America,.....soon"
What do they mean to you?
Jean
-
pop...what a firecracker does (if capitalized: Coke, Dr. Pepper, et al)
poke...nudging someone with a finger or an elbow
hog...a big pig
America...the country where I live
soon... not very long from right now
I could add these words with regional meaning:
roll...bun...fix...make...prepare
-
Soon - HOW long from right now???
Some people say 5 minutes and others would answer "oh no! 20 minutes" or "within the hour"
So my point was for managers to be as specific as possible or they could be creating problems for themselves or their employees.
Where i grew up "pop" didn't have to be capitalized to mean "soda". All soda was pop! And the word stood alone, not "soda pop!" ;D
-
pop,.... either my grandfather or a Big Red - all other soda water was called soda water or by its name -
poke,.....a cloth sack used to bring home large amounts of either fresh produce or feed from the feedstore and my grandmother said poke for a small drawstring bag that held the change and our note of what to buy when as children we went to the store.
hog,.....someone who takes more than their fair share
America,.....lots of possibilities according to what year in school - from an Indian named America to the US of A to the name of this continent to a magazine published by the Jesuits.
soon,.....in awhile - when I have time - anytime in the next couple of hours, days or years, - what you tell a young child knowing they will forget and there is no time or money to satisfy their request - A countrywestern song.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
pop - a noise that something makes, eg a balloon popping, and yes Barb, also one of my grandfathers - my mother still refers to him as "pop" (although he has been dead for nearly 50 years). Drinks would never be called "pop" in my childhood. The Corona man brought "fizzy drinks" (all strongly disapproved of by my mother...)
poke - to prod something or someone (but this is not what my children would think it meant) - and didn't someone in a Dickens' novel have a bag called a poke? The one who is expecting a judgement daily?
hog - a big pig or indeed "to hog" would be to take more than your share
America - for us that would always be the USA, we have never become accustomed to calling the US + Canada "North America".
Interesting exercise Jean!
Rosemary
Soon - yes, that is a very elastic term! Especially when said to children I'm afraid. If we are travelling and I say I need to find a loo "soon" I interpret that as within the next 10 minutes, whereas husband apparently thinks I mean "any convenient time within the next few hours, or maybe we won't bother and she can manage till we get there".
-
pop .... soda
poke ..... valise
hog ..... ham
America ..... my country
soon ..... presently
-
Ok here you go - Gospel and Country - both 'Soon' - great to know either and sing back when the next time you need to say soon...or sing back when someone says to you soon...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZz8VG171hY
http://www.videodetective.com/music-videos/soon-video/679996
-
Barb, How about a poke bonnet or poke greens; or the rather risque meaning (as in Lonesome Dove, when Gus asked the prostitute if he could have a "poke")?
-
Oh yes, forgot about Poke salad...good Salan...never did have nor do I remember any of the women in my family having a poke bonnet - knew about them but we just did not go down that path. What can we say some guys can even make something that could be crude sound easy and natural... ::)
-
Some of the words were "pop,.... poke,.....hog,.....America,.....soon"
Hmmmm.
Pop : a sound when uncorking a fizzy drink; sometimes used for grandfather e.g. my grandsons call their grandfather "Poppy".
Poke - Jab someone or something with your finger
Hog : A Harley Davidson motorbike; a male pig
America : This is a tricky one. My ex father in law who was a geographer insisted on using the words United States of America, Central America and South America, which I still do, if I remember. My Salvadoran students insisted that they came from Central America, so I used that too.
Soon : Is this apocryphal?
-
as in Pig in a Poke.. One of my mothers favorite expressions ...
-
Oh yes, Steph....A pig in a poke...I had forgotten that expression. My mother used that saying, also. Ummm, never thought about it them,, but now I am wondering..What is a poke referring to?? A pig pen???
Hog--a large pig, someone greedy. When I was little, my younger sister & I would sleep together in the winter under piles of quilts. One or the other of us was always "hogging the covers".
Sally
-
Ah,yes, ROSEMARY. My husband's father was especially bad about, from the stories
his wife and kids told me. With Bill, I was more specific. It was "stop at the
next place with a bathroom!"
The 'poke' in this case, SALLY, was the large bag the pig was carried in. The idea was that
is was dumb to buy a poke that someone said had a pig in it. You might open it later to find it wasn't a pig at all and you'd just been conned.
-
THERE you go! The valise that popped into my mind when I saw the word "poke!"
Roshanarose, I am with you on the America thing. In the Geography curriculum I wrote for First Graders I was careful to teach them that this entire hemisphere and the one below, north to south, save Antarctica, is America. We are either The United States of America or just The States; but when we say "America" by itself, we include Canada and Greenland to the tip of South America. Did you know that Greenland is part of North America speaking geographically (physiographically)?
-
Gives new meaning to - "America, America, God shed His grace on thee,: And crown thy good with brotherhood: From sea to shinning sea."
-
Yes, but if you are in Ireland and someone mentions America you can bet they mean the United States. I wonder if this is true in Britain as well.
In my dialect, poke means a paper sack. I don't know how you would get the pig into the sack.
When we were vacationing in New England we were told if we wanted ice cream in our milkshakes we should ask for a "frappe" - pronounced frap.
-
Ursa - yes, almost anyone here saying "America' means the USA only. Ignorant, aren't we?!
Rosemary
-
Rosemary Not ignorant at all - it's simply the common usage in your part of the world - in mine too speaking generally. Usually when we mean all of America we say 'The Americas'
-
I agree that the majority of citizens of The United States of America and most of Europe mean The States when they say "America."
But we here in these United States are mistaken if and when we think we are the only peoples entitled to the designation "Americans."
-
Re America: The branch of the Smithsonian called The National Museum of the American Indian (http://www.nmai.si.edu/) contains information about the native populations of all of North and South America.
I try, especially when we are out of the country, to refer to "The States" or "the US", rather than "America".
Interesting words for getting to regionalisms. To me,
pop .... to pop a balloon, a verb (I never heard that to refer to a soft drink until I was grown)
poke ..... I only use it to mean to jab someone, a verb; although I also know it as a bag or sack and as "poke sallit" (a spring green picked to cook - learned after we moved to TN)
hog ..... a large pig, noun; to grab too much of something, verb; later learned it as a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
America ..... see above
soon ..... within a short period of time - definitely variable.
Lots of words have variable meanings - depending on context and whether they're used as nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.
Fun with words - there are a number of words with contradictory meanings:
cleave - to cut in pieces; to join together
scan - to read quickly; to study carefully
etc.
-
Ursa' it may have to do with those areas who retain an older historical relationship with the world and then were essentially cut off once they arrived in the States -
Paper sacks or bags if you are from up north were only manufactured after the Civil War and were not readily used in rural areas -
Bigger cities were mostly in the north as well and so I think it could be that may be why a poke was more easily translated as being a paper sack as opposed to a muslim or burlap sack used in mostly rural areas where it wasn't till after WWII that paper sacks were common -
I even remember as a child going to an A&P which was supposed to be a national chain and the groceries were wrapped like a gift in brown paper from a roll on the counter along with a large ball or cone of twine - We all had these little wooden hooks that we twisted onto the twine to carry the package of groceries home. At the time there was no supermarket and even at the A&P everything was behind the counter with a young boy who would climb a ladder on rollers across the shelves to drop down the product or if it was not stored very high a long pole with a clamping device was used - it was all placed on the counter - and everything was added up on the paper that was used to wrap it - a good grocer knew how to stack things properly for a balanced wrap.
Whooops gotta run - time...
-
Barb - liked the video. As i've said before, i'm not very religious but do like listening to the Gaither shows. There is also a "station" of Live 365 online radio that is all acapella choirs of religious and classical music that i love and often have on while working on the computer. Anyway, "soon and very soon" is a good cliche for this exercise.
You've all, or y'all, have gotten most of the answers the managers gave......"America" meant the song to some. To some African Americans who were old enough to remember the '60s and 70s cadillac, it was a "hog", similar to the Harley D, BIG, just BIG!
Altho i grew up w/ a poke being something my mother told me to get from the pantry to put something in, not many people in my classes knew that context - a bag to carry something - unlike many of you.
Yes, i always pointed out to my college classes that the 50 states are the United States of America, but Canada and Mexico and Central and South Anmerican countries also are of the Americas.
Along w/"soon" i would sometimes give the phrase "in a little while". How much time is that? To some it meant w/ in the hour, others had a much longer time frame, or "being on time." amazing, to me, was that that could mean up to fifteen minutes past the agreed time! I am always "there" before the agreed upon time and have had to learn not to have my feelings hurt by people who think of time much more flexibly (a word?) then i do.
Jean
There are, of course, no right answers, doing the exercise is self explanatory of how people can misunderstand other people's words to them, especially in a community as diverse as the US Army, which has not only people born in the US, but many people who are from other parts of the world.
-
I should have said "people born all over the United States" since our regions and cultures have vast differences in understanding terms and, yes, the list of examples could be much longer. It was always fun and informative to go through the process.
Now the question for this site is do authors have to think about their wording re this concept of difference and do we as readers have to be coscious of our interpretations when we read?
Just saw this that Babi posted in "mystery" hope you don't mind if i relate it here, Babi
"Quote
The accents sometimes throw me.
I was surprised to discover, when I started
reading lips (to the best of my ability) that I could recognize when someone was speaking with
an accent by the way their lips formed the words. Unfortunately, other than the English accent,
I'm usually unable to 'read' those speakers. And of course, so many people speak too rapidly
to be 'read'. The words run together."
A whole other potential area for confusion! :o
Jean
-
This is so funny! Not too many weeks ago, I was going to a book club group, and I had my usual tote bag, plus a larger handled paper bag with some foodstuffs in it. A dear friend came in as I did, and being contemporaries, she asked "Whatcha got in your poke?". I laughed then, as it had been awhile since I had heard that term, but I'm laughing even more now that we are talking about "poke". My mom used to say, "Well, he sure bought a pig in a poke". I had no idea, at the time, what that meant!
-
I've heard the expression "to buy a pig in a poke" all my life, and have always understood what it meant. But I've never used the word "poke" to mean a bag or sack. Funny.
English is a strange and difficult language. I'd hate to have to learn it as a second language.
-
And just as interesting to imagine Gospel Music to be religious -
I guess it is or can be but it is also on the radio all the time - some places more than others - like where my daughter lives far more than here in Austin
However, it is like there is Rock and Roll and Jazz and Blues and Gospel and, and, and - so that there are some well known Gospel singers and well known Gospel songs just as there are well known Blues singers or heavy metal bands and there are local musicians and local singing groups -
Some churches do feature Gregorian Chant during their services never the less, there is many a recording especially, around the holidays of groups singing plainchant and we do not call it religious - yet, there is a tinge of religion since the holiday is a Christian holiday -
It is all sorta confusing but I still do not think of Gospel Music as religious although, it can and is sung in some Christian Churchs -
-
Mary I grew up with the expression but I always associated it with the same expression I learned many years later as an adult - Buyer Beware...
-
Jean - this topic became especially relevant in this house last night, as husband came home and told me that the people in Orkney who are installing the wave energy machine are taking ages to do it. When we discussed it further, it transpired that their concept of things like "safety", "testing", etc was quite different from that of the people back in Edinburgh. I told husband about our discussion here, and how it highlighted the fact that you need to be super clear when giving instructions.
He also said that when oil companies work with Brazilians, they are told to remember that when a British or North American person says they will do something, they generally will, whereas Brazilians have quite a different view of saying "yes" and what it means.
Barb - have you ever heard Taize chant? I have only heard it on the radio, but I would like to hear it in a church. Chanting is very spiritual, I think.
Rosemary
-
Yes, I've heard Taize chant which I believe is a meditative form of chanting - where as, so much of what most of us call Gregorian Chant was music approved by Pope Gregory and thereafter called Gregorian Chant and is simply the early form of western music that includes plainchant and polyphony -
The early plainchant music had one singer - usually a soprano voice or a flute singing a simple melody that by today's standards is pure with very little melody and the other voices were almost like a drone as if playing a dulcimer with one note the melody and the others tuned to different notes in the same scale and strummed as a background sound - I think that is the music of a bagpipe as well.
Later, there were two voices that mimicked one another and then later the one singer had a different set of notes to sing with at first an attempt at being harmonious. This was the polyphony of music which was for the church as well as the halls, banquets and walks of the pilgrims to their holy places or on the way to their holy wars.
Too often folks label all this music as church music but it is simply the churches did a good job of saving everything and the church in Rome ran the entire western world - even with kings, the principle players in the running of things was the clergy appointed by Rome, often a Cardinal. And so while Gregory gathered some music we still have Byzantine, Mozarabic and Ambrosian chant and a cache of other music from other parts of the world.
The music of the streets included music popular in the brothels - dance music often recorded as Renaissance and Baroque were only composed by folks whose names we know in about the fifteenth century -
The concept that plainchant is religious certainly flies in the face of how in the Orthodox Jewish practice no female singers are heard in the temple by men - There are several accounts of how this practice came to be adopted. One version is that women were in the habit of singing similar to the Egyptian clapping and dancing to drums in their temples by men and women - the other version has more to say about how the secular concept of simple music come into the picture - women on the streets clapped and danced while singing most of them enticing 'skintrade' and so it was deemed that women should no longer be allowed to sing with the temple choir (I know choir is a Christian expression but I forgot what the singing group in a temple is called) prior to women excluded it was a practice that everyone sung during services for I believe it was 10 years that was later continued and made a law for men to have to sing in temple for a certain number of years.
Many, even teachers call plainchant only that music that was sung in Latin during the middle ages but when you study the history of western music you learn plainchant goes back to the 3rd century and it is simply a step along the way in the growth of music till Bach really took off followed quickly by opera and symphonies using the minuet and concerto of earlier times that was built on the shoulders of chant which was built on the single voice plainsong or plainchant.
-
I do think of Gospel as having a religious base, but I also do not think of it as "religious" music. Oh my, I cannot HEAR the word "gospel" in reference to music without instantly remembering Mahalia Jackson. How I loved that woman's singing. I've never been able to just sit and listen to her recordings: I have to stand up and dance and sway and join in. 'Specially with Joshi Fit The Battle of Jeri-co, Jeri-co, Jeri-co. Joshi Fit The Battle of Jeri-co and them walls came tumblin' down! Woo-EE!
-
Just in case you have forgotten what the 1959 Cadillac looked like and why it might be called a "hog."
http://www.cadillaccountryclub.com/cadillacpictures1950s.htm
and a definition of gospel music....from wikipedia dictionary
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as (in terms of the varying music styles) to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music.
Like other forms of Christian music, the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace. However, a theme of gospel music is praise, worship or thanks to God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit.
The Gaither group that was singing "Soon and Very Soon" is definitely a religious based group.
-
A couple of friends here are very active in a gospel group (one singer and one supporter ). Our grandson-in-law-to-be sings with a very active gospel group in San Diego. I only mention race to stress the point that although a lot of people think of gospel as strictly African-American - and that's definitely not the case.
-
This is odd - above this is what posted (partial) of what I put in the reply box. I'll try again....
A couple of friends here are very active in a gospel group (one singer and one supporter ). Our grandson-in-law-to-be sings with a very active gospel group in San Diego. I only mention race to stress the point that although a lot of people think of gospel as strictly African-American - and that's definitely not the case.
-
For some reason, it won't post what I wrote - not a long post, just about some friends both here and in CA who participate in gospel groups - one black and one white. So not strictly an African-American thing, as some seem to think.
-
Home the home of Gospel music is in northern Alabama and most of the groups are white folks - and if you tell them it is religious or church music they too will look - take a double take and then agree to a point - but then whoever wrote the wikipedia piece must not be from where we hear Gospel on the Radio as often as Bill Monroe, Carrie Underwood, George Strait, Lyle Lovett, Los Lonely Boys or Stevie Ray or Waylon and the boys. Again, sounds like different areas of this country have a different concept of both music and religion - what can you say...
-
I think I may have figured it out - we consider Gospel music Soul music - which can or does not have to be sung in a church although many folks are in touch with their soul in church - some folks just like being rocked in the belly of soul even with a glass of whiskey in their hand or a broom in their grip.
-
maryz - I loved your entry about Poke Sallit. There was a song that had the words:
"Poke Sallit Annie, the 'gator got your grannie."
For an Australian to hear it, or at least the way I heard it, it sounded like:
"Polk Salad Annie"
I am glad that you have clarified it for me. ;)
Oddly, I have never considered Canada as anything but Canada. I have never seen it as part of "America", but I guess it is on the same continent.
I found the song. I hope no one minds me including it in its entirety. I just love this song.
If some of y all never been down sout too much
I'm gonna tell you a little about this so that you'll Understand what I'm talkin' about ...
To understand what we talking about
Down there we have a plant that grows like a turnip green
And everybody calls it poke salad ... poke salad
Used to know a girl lived down there and she'd go out
In the evenings and pick her a mess of it, carry it
Home and cook it for supper, cause that's about all they
Had to eat, but they did all right.
Down in Lou'siana,
Where the alligators grow so mean,
There lived a girl that
I swear to the world,
Made the alligators look tame
Poke Salad Annie
Poke Salad Annie
Everybody said it was a shame
Cause her mama was a workin on the chain gang
I mean, vicious
Her daddy was lazy and no count
Claimed he had a bad back
And all her brothers were fit for
Was stealin watermelons out of my truck patch
Poke Salad Annie
The gators got your granny
Everybody said it was a shame
Cause her mama was a workin on the chain gang
A wretched, spiteful ( (?))
Every day 'fore suppertime
She'd go down by the truck patch
And pick her a mess o' poke salad
And carry it home in a tote sack
Poke Salad Annie
The gators got your granny
Everybody said it was a shame
Cause her Mama was a workin on the chain gang
Sock a little poke salad to me
You know I need me a mess of it
Sock a little poke
Sock a little ah ah ah
Sock a little oh oh oh
Sock a little ah ah ah ah ah ah
Poke Salad Annie
Poke Salad Annie
The gators got your granny
Poke Salad Annie
Poke Salad Annie
The gators got your granny
-
Hm,, lots of experts on music and I certainly am not. but.. at the Grand Ol Opry, they still tend to have at least one gospel type song in each performance, so country music considers gospel as a category....
-
Nope, MARYPAGE, I never would have imagined Greenland was part of 'America'. It's
purely wonderful to me the things I can learn just by coming in here every day.
URSA, I'm pretty sure the pigs that wound up in the pokes were small, young pigs.
You're certainly right about trying to get a full sized pig,...much less a hog...
into a carrying sack. Couldn't carry it if you did.
Any time, JEAN. :)
English is a strange and difficult language. I'd hate to have to learn it as a
second language.
Mary Z.
Ain't it the truth!
Your remarks about Gospel Music surprised me, BARB. Why else is it called 'Gospel'
music? Mahalia Jackson immediately came to my mind also, MARYPAGE. Really, when
you think about it, it is surprising how moving some of these old simple songs
can be. Have you ever heard that old song, "Farther Along", sung in harmony?
Oh, Lord, I wish I could hear it again, especially the refrain, "We'll understand
it all by and by.."
-
I know Babi - I've been trying to sort it out all night - the best I can up with is that it is like voting - I just do not think of voting as patriotic and yet, it is labeled patriotic - when I vote I do it because;
One, it makes me feel good, accomplished.
Two, I like seeing my neighbors and having a minute to chat with them when some I only see a couple times a year and know they are as interested in our community as I am.
Three, it makes me feel I am having a say in how the things are run.
Four, it is a culmination of a lot of figuring out how close the person or expected ordinance is to my way of thinking and my values.
Five and finally, it is a process that is reminiscent of accompanying my Mom to vote when I was a kid and so it feels like not only carrying on the tradition also, I feel nostalgic for the memory of hearing her talk as we walked all the way to the voting station while she sorted out to us the reason for her vote.
When I have completed the process of voting someone offers me a sticky paper American Flag showing my patriotism - I guess it is a patriotic act but patriotism seems a far cry in explaining the reason and process of voting, nor is it the reason for most of my friends.
While trying to sort this out comparing it to music I am thinking the same rational can be used to explain Gospel music - it is more like feel good acknowledging how things are run and fortifying values along with nostalgia for a traditional sound - I can even see how it would bring about a feeling of spirituality but religion naw -
In fact most of these songs and way of singing is as far as can be from the music of my religion as it is for most of the churches in this city - If for instance the Oak Ridge Boys or the Gaithers or Carrie Underwood or Mahalia Jackson start singing it puts a smile on the faces of most folks and they want to get moving or chat with even strangers. The music seems to say, make a connection with someone.
And so if getting work accomplished and being friendly and wearing a smile is religious - I guess so - but then Gospel music sure unifies a room full of folks with various religions and no one is thinking they are the ones with the inside line.
Religious says to me, a certain reverence with certain prayers and certain beliefs and certain way of showing respect for a God and each other along with, a hierarchy that preaches and runs the show and collects funds and sees to the continuation of the building and the religion while guiding a controlled representation of the religion to the community at large. And I just do not get any of that listening and singing along with "How Great Thy art" or "Soon".
-
Roshanarose: from a Virginian (a Southern state of mind):
Poke weed is only edible in the very early spring, and only when just coming up out of the ground. Experts know. My black mammy (yes, I had one) knew. Then you have to boil it twice. Otherwise, it is toxic and will kill you. I remember it fondly, though, as the very tastiest green I ever ate! Honest! She used to pick it when she took me for a walk.
A "mess of" is not a mess here. It is a lot of something.
-
Maryz....I think the reason your posts didn't work is because of the [ ] you used. The coding here uses [ ] and I think it was trying to read the words you had within the brackets as code. Parentheses or rewording it as you did lets it post. Just a coding problem for the software otherwise with the brackets.
-
Have always loved the song "Poke Sallit/salad Annie", especially by Elvis.
Barb, you and i apparently both like the musicality of "gospel" music. If you know Sam Cooke's music, he started out as a "gospel" singer, songs that had lyrics that related to theological concepts - god, heaven, being saved, Jesus, crucifixion, etc. When he crossed over to "popular/top 40" songs, he often used similar music and harmony and "soul" with lyrics that related to love, earthly relationships, heartbreak, etc. If you are familiar with the "hymn" I Come to the Garden Alone", when i was a tenager, we had a minister who wouldn't allow us to sing that song, he said it was a (earthly) love song. ??? LOL i'll look for the lyrics. But ever since then i've heard many "gospel" songs that could very easily be sold as a top 40 "love songs".
:D :D :D
-
The minister had a point!!!
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
Refrain
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
Refrain
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
;) :D Yep, just like nearly every gospel group includes music from Sound of Music - having lived in the north I know y'all do not hear as much gospel everyday as is played on the radios in the south - and I think for many there is a different connection so trying to explain it is probably about trying to explain regional differences. I must say here I hear Gospel maybe a few times a day where as where my daughter lives it is several times an hour. But love is love and it is sung with equal abandon on a Broadway stage, a honky tonk or by a Gospel Quartet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztBntU41VsE
-
Barb, there are many reason why I vote, but here are 2 major reasons for me.
l. My great grandmother was an active suffragette. I have a photo of her studying the ballot the first year women got the vote. She knew it was an historical moment and had a professional photographer take the picture. I simply can not let her down by not exercising this right!
2. My mother always said, "If you don't vote, you can't complain." Since I want to complain if necessary, I vote!
sally
-
It's that four-part harmony that draws me in. Love it!
Does anyone remember "He" from the 1950s or 60s? There was more cross over of religious music to pop music then, i think. Altho some of the African-American and Hispanic music today is hard to define.
Jean
-
Thanks, jane - never thought of that. ::)
I vote because it's my chance to have my say in how things are run (even if the person I vote for doesn't get elected); because, like Sally said, if you don't vote, you can't complain; but first and foremost, I vote because it's my duty and obligation as a citizen in a participatory democracy to actually vote. I'm moved to tears by the photos of the long lines of people in countries like South Africa or Iraq or Afghanistan waiting to vote, and then holding up their purple-dyed fingers proudly showing that they had voted. And I'm ashamed at the low percentages of people in this country who enjoy its freedoms, and don't vote.
Guess I'll get off my soapbox now. (who brought up voting in the first place???? LOL)
-
MaryZ - I always vote because my mother also drummed into me that women had died for our vote here in the UK, but generally the turn-out is terrible. I think it is getting worse and worse, and the reason for that is that people, especially many young people, feel completely powerless - whoever they vote for nationally things seem to be the same, and locally it is even worse.
In Aberdeen the council was really awful - sometimes there were public votes on things and they actually completely ignored very clear results and did what they were going to do anyway. There is a huge amount of resentment up there about Trump and his golf course, the local planners rejected the application, but as ever it was approved by a higher power. Someone now wants to instal an offshore wind farm in the North Sea opposite his golf course and guess who the loudest objector is? doesn't want his view spoilt, even though he has desecrated a nature reserve and forced people out of their homes to press on with his plans. Similarly, some local businessmen want to flatten Union Terrace Gardens, in the heart of the city, and turn it into a shopping centre and car park. The council held a public vote on it, the answer was a very clear NO - and needless to say they are going ahead with it anyway. The amount of fury this last one has caused is enormous; everyone thinks the council is just pandering to vested interests. In Edinburgh no-one wanted the trams, yet we are still stuck with the stupid things - if they ever materialise - at present Princes Street is closed to traffic yet again, to allow them to repair the work they started last year.
But I digress - I still vote! And my elder daughter can't wait to do so, although my son didn't even bother at the last election, which was his very first opportunity to vote.
Rosemary
-
hmmm I wonder - what do you think - would this be fun or what - how about especially since we have next year's big election - what would it be like for us to read an annotated version of the Constitution - not for the politics but for understanding the law and what it means and what it means to say we are a citizen and how these words took on the importance that have lasted -
Not fiction but if as a result of some of our sharing about voting maybe we could at least get an idea if it is worth going forward - I realize this would be of very limited interest to those who post here from other nations but then we may get their perspective as they compare their constitution on the same issue.
here is a link to all the annotated copies available on Amazon The Constitution of the U.S. - annotated (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_17?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the+constitution+of+the+united+states&sprefix=the+constitution+#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the+constitution+of+the+united+states+annotated&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Athe+constitution+of+the+united+states+annotated)
-
I like that idea very much, Barb.
-
And let's don't leave ANYthing out! When the new congress read it in turn, they skipped the parts they did not like!
I swear!
Look it up if you did not already know this.
I dearly loved that old hymn: He walked with me and He talked with me, and He told me I am His Own. Takes me back, it does. But those words often come back and run through my head.
And I loved Sam Cooke! There were some songs no one could ever, EVER sing the way he could! Unchained Melody was one such.
Hey! My great grandmother was a Suffragette, too! Yeah!
-
Voting is compulsory in Australia. I can't speak for the US, but it makes for a great deal of division here. Liberal or Labor? Pffftttt. No comment. It is taboo, at least in Queensland and NSW, to say who you are voting for as election day approaches. Although the neutral approach is to vote for the Greens is you don't like either of the major parties.
MaryPage - your story about your mammy collecting poke weed and then cooking it was very interesting. I could easily visualise her as she chatted to your small self. My ex FIL also had a mammy and often spoke affectionately about her.
Evidently brussel sprouts have a very bad reputation for tasting bad here, but evidently there are ways that make them taste great. Arcane knowledge ;)
-
I have a old tape of Tennessee Ernie Ford singing " Hymns" which were some gospel and some spirituals as well as conventional hymns.. LOvely, That rumbling bass is truly remarkable.
When MDH first died, I found that hymns sent me into great bouts with tears. No idea just why, but oh me.. Not so bad now.. And he hated organized churches and never ever went unless it was a special occasion os some sort.
I vote, but we are in the part of the populatiion that does vote. It is the younger generation that rarely votes.
-
BARB, I think we are fortunate if one of our parents discussed such things with us as
we were growing up. My Dad like to do that, and as a result I grew up firmly grounded
in a lot of his principles. He was a very intelligent man. It was amazing how I grew
to realize that as I grew older myself. ;)
"..fortifying values along with nostalgia for a traditional sound.." Thst says it
beautifully, BARB. Your description of 'religion' encompasses, to me, both the faith
and beliefs of a group, and the practical business of keeping things running smoothly.
I tend more to make a distinction between 'faith' in God, and the accepted dogma of a
particular group, which I call 'religion' and may not wholly accept. Another way of saying
it might be that I see 'faith' as the spiritual aspect, and 'religion' as the manmade construct.
Is that true, MARYPAGE, that Poke weed is toxic unless boiled? I thought I had heard
of a poke salad, but obviously that wouldn't work if the stuff requires cooking. I see
JEAN mentions 'poke salad', too.
ROSEMARY, we do tend to hope that a change in the people in charge will make a big
difference. Unfortunately, the new people have to handle the messes that have come down
to them, facing the same obstacles and difficulties. We expect miracles, which is of
course totally unrealistic. That's happening here now, with people complaining because
President Obama couldn't immediately turn around a dozen years in one direction.
I can understand why young people get discouraged, but the fact is that our vote is
the only way we have of emphasizing to our leadership that we don't like the way they're
going and will kick them out if they continue.
-
That's interesting, about voting being compulsory in Australia, roshanarose. I would think it would be very difficult, costly and time consuming to enforce. I'm glad we don't have that here. Not because I don't want to vote, but because I don't want people who don't know what they're voting for, or who are unaware of the issues, to vote.
Steph, I can understand hymns making you cry. Years ago I was part of a recorder group and one of our members was particulary fond of playing Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze." His wife was also part of the group and after he died she could never play that song. It would always make her cry.
-
Pedln - If we don't vote and can't come up with a good reason as to why we didn't they just fine us. Some people prefer to simply pay the fine rather than vote.
-
Is that true, MARYPAGE, that Poke weed is toxic unless boiled? I thought I had heard
of a poke salad, but obviously that wouldn't work if the stuff requires cooking. I see
JEAN mentions 'poke salad', too.
If you will go to your Google browser and type in "poke salet" rather than salad, you will discover all you ever wanted to know about this green thing (weed). And oh, yes, it does have to be washed and cooked.
-
There are sev'l songs that i can easily tear-up at while hearing and, amazingly to me, it has nothing to do w/ the lyrics. I think it must have to do w/ the resonance of the music w/ my "soul"- whatever that is. Two of them are "Misty Blue" and "Put Your Head on my Shoulder" and there are also some hymns that will do it. Altho the lyrics are kind, caring, emotional thoughts, and probably add a feeling of "grieving" for those emotions, the "blues" feeling of the music does something to my core that just gets to me.
-
Not to bring tears to you today Jean so you may not want to link but here is one of the best interpretations by Dorothy Moore
Misty Blues (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMONGMDEerI)
OH and we need her version of Too Blind to See (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8R7vAEvH7Q&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL0CB0DC3BE93DFEB7)
-
I don't mind the tears Barb, i love the song. ;)
-
Re voting, I told my boys if they didn't vote, they had no right to complain about the government.
London son always promises me he'll vote but never does. I guess it's harder to get to Australia House or wherever the Polling Station is, than for me to slip down to the nearest school.
I was surprised that England holds elections on a week day. The best part of voting is the sausage sizzle, and sweet treats :).
-
Octavia - I think the sausage sizzle is the major drawcard. Great to see you back again.
-
We now have early voting, which is wonderful. No horrible lines.. But our legislature which is truly conservative (ie,, all business, no human factor) is eliminating a good deal of the early voting, since their opinion is it encourages democrats ( the young, the blacks , the latins) They should be ashamed of themselves, but Florida is now officially back in the dark ages. Our governor is not a good person, but he imagines himself as emperor, not governor. OH what we did in the name of tea party..
-
Thanks, TOME. Thankfully, I wouldn't recognize a poke weed if I saw it, so I was never
tempted to make one. I do remember my MIL nearly had a stroke once when I pointed out
to her some dandelions in my backyard. She insisted they were not dandelions (she was
from up-state New York), but that is what we had always called them here. She didn't
calm down until I assured her I wasn't feeding them to my family. I still don't know
what her 'dandelions' looked like.
My sympathies, STEPH. I had no idea things were that bad in Florida. But you know how
it is...the news media gives you 'local', 'state' and 'national' news. Other states only
get mentioned when something gory or scandalous happens.
-
I have cooked and eaten poke sallit many times. If it is very young it does not require par-boiling. It becomes poisonous as it matures and must be boiled twice if it is leafy greens like spinach. I never cooked it if it wasn't very young. It is also called polk salad and two or three other similar names. It is quite tasty and I regret I can't forage for it any more. There is a poke sallet queen in a nearby town.
As for voting, I think it is a mindset. IMHO most educated people feel an obligation to vote, at least in state and national elections. We have early voting here now, and seniors can always vote by absentee ballots, but the state legislature has recently passed a law that you must have a state or federally issued photo ID to vote. Seniors here do not have to have photos on their drivers' licenses, and a lot will be turned away at the polls if nothing is done about this. By that time it will be too late for absentee ballots. Critics claim this was passed purposely to prevent seniors (who usually vote democratic) from voting. I agree.
-
I think this will wend us back toward books and fiction, if I can beg a bit of help here. My book group is looking for something to read for our December meeting. Prerequisites are: Light, short, perhaps funny. We have read a great deal of "angst" and "sturm und drang" this year, and would like to close out the year on a lighter note. Can someone make a recommendation along those lines? (we have read one "dog" themed book, and can pass up that genre).
-
And, Ursa, there are also simply heaps of people who do not drive! I have a 37 year old granddaughter who lives in a big city and does not own a vehicle and does not own a driver's license. We have literally millions of perfectly good citizens who have voted for years who do not own a photo I.D. Where does it say in our Constitution that in order to use your franchise you must have a driver's license?
-
I live in Florida and agree with Steph's post about Florida, sad to say.
My mother never drove but when we moved to Florida I took her to the Driver's License office where they took her picture and issued an identification card. That was almost 24 years ago and I hope they still do that as we use our drivers licenses when voting. It actually makes it very easy--you just slide your drivers license into the machine, sign and everything you need for voting is printed out for you. If you don't have a drivers license, it takes longer and is more cumbersome.
-
Tomereader...Are you familiar with Patrick McManus? He has a number of books out that I think are light and humorous and often appealed to outdoors people. Some titles I read years ago...
Collections of Outdoor Humor Pieces
A Fine and Pleasant Misery (1978)
They Shoot Canoes, Don't They? (1981)
Never Sniff a Gift Fish (1981)
The Grasshopper Trap (1985)
Rubber Legs and White Tail-Hairs (1987)
The Night the Bear Ate Goombaw (1989)
The Good Samaritan Strikes Again (1992)
How I Got This Way (1994)
Into the Twilight, Endlessly Grousing (1997)
Real Ponies Don't Go Oink! (1999)
I see he's now writing mysteries, too.
It might be worth a look. His website is:
http://www.patrickfmcmanus.com/
-
Yes, Florida still does photo id's for non drivers.. But you must go to the Drivers License offices which are somethimes crowded.. Make an appointment and its easier.
I am reading the third in the Lumby series. Needed something light and sort of silly and it certainly is that. Still fun.
Today, our genealogical society is having an open house and a do you want to know your ancestors occasion. We have the rooms all set up, refreshments on line and hope to get some people, although at this moment it is raining..
People seem interested, at least they stuck their heads in when we were setting up yesterday. It is in a community room next to the library, which helps.
-
Love those Patrick McManus titles, JANE. They simply beg to be read. I'll be looking
for him, too. "Into the Twilight, Endlessly Grousing" sounds familiar, actually.
-
Our genealogy open house was a true success. We were busy all morning.. People want to know things about their ancestors. They just want instant success, which is sometimes not possible.
I am reading a Lumby book.. I like them in small doses.
-
Tomereader, I like easy, funny, and uplifting books in December, too. I also like them to have a Christmas theme. Here are some titles your group might enjoy if you want Christmas themed books.
God Rest Ye Merry by Charlotte McLeod
All Christmas books by Anne Perry
All Christmas books by Melody Carlson
All Christmas books by Debbie MacComber
Christmas Mourning by Margaret Maron
Hope you find something to read and enjoy. Let us know.
Sally
-
Sally, I think Charlotte Macleod's book was just titled: Rest Ye Merry. I can see how you would think of the title of the carol.
-
Thanks for the correction, MaryP.
Sally
-
Haven't been in for awhile. Thanks for "Misty Blue". I loved it.
And here's Sam Cooke "A change gonna Come.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48K5Y0421Ig&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48K5Y0421Ig&feature=related)
-
Since we've been way off topic anyway......... Here is a site i could spend hours on
http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/bg_hits/bg_hits_50.html
You will notice that you can see lusts of the top 100 songs of the decades. You can't link to them from this page, but if you google anyone of the songs, they are almost all available on youtube or at least the audio is somewhere. I'm making my own category of each decades songs on my youtube site, so i can just play thru them when in the mood.
I found this site while preparing for the "cultural fifties" session i will be presenting at the retirement community next spring. I'll use it also for the "cultural sixties" and " seventies" sessions.
What fun!
-
Here are four more subsites for you to waste some time on.
The top billboard hits of the years
http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_billbord1.html
The most popular hits of the decades
http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/bg_hits/bg_hits_60.html
The "best" songs as decided by how long they remained popular, etc, the description is at the top of the lists
http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_songs-1940s.html
AND ANY list you might want to take a look at thru the decades of many genre!!!
http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/music0.html
-
I was wrong about there not being a link to hear songs, if you look just above the "years" list it Says "to listen to songs from (19??) click here.
-
Back to fiction......ijust finished Three Women by the Water's Edge by Nancy Thayer. I liked it but i could see how some may not. The story highlights a mother and two dgts a a particular segment in their lives. As i said before she writes much of it in a stream of conscious of what one of the women is thinkng at the moment. One paragraph can go on for two pages.
Gives the reader a lot to think about. Is love always painful? Does marriage work for anybody? Are all men alike? All women? (of course we know the answer to that, but here's some interesting thinking about it) are children a joy ar a torture? Much more
Jean
-
I finished The Three Weissman's of Westport. I was disappointed in it. It was okay, but I don't think it lived up to all the "hype" I had read about it. I am now reading Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks. It is my ftf book club book for November. Have any of you read either of these books and what did you think?
Sally
-
Sally, I've almost finished "Caleb's Crossing" and I like it very much. Had to work a bit to get into the rhythm of the "speech" but, once I got over that hurdle, I am intrigued with the story. Can't believe I'm this far along and haven't figured out a "logical" ending.
I didn't like "Three Weissman's...", either. Would someone who did like it please explain why they did.
-
I just wanted to smack each of the self-centered Weissmans!
I finished The Kommandant's Girl. It was o.k., tense. But i have this internal fear when i see the word "nazi" which comes from the books and the movies of the 40's and 50's. I know there were Germans who were more moderate like the Kommandant, but he still toed the Nazi line and he scared me from the beginning about what he would do when he found his "girl" spying or discovered she was Jewish.......that's not a spoiler, the reader knows from the beginning.
Jean
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
-
I read "Caleb's Crossing", SALLY, and thought it excellent. All Geraldine Brooks books
are so meticulously researched that they give you a very accurate picture of the times
of which she writes. And her characters are so real. Actually, one of them was real,
Caleb....and the book is based on his story. As I am sure you already know, since you've
begun reading.
-
A book I am currently reading, that was recommended by one of our f2f book group members, is "Shadow Divers" by Robert Curson. This is a book that will teach you "things you didn't know" about deep shipwreck diving (as totally opposed to regular scuba diving), and the divers that participate in this. Subtitled "The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II". They discovered a U-boat that was sunk off the coast of New Jersey. The book is 348 pages but is such an interesting read, it's not seeming that long. There are a few pictures/photographs in the book. For those who really like to discover a new world through reading, this is great. The person who recommended it (a woman) said all her reading friends had passed it around among them until it was threadbare! Another great sea-going book is "Might Fitz", which I may have mentioned here before. If you've heard the song about the Edmund Fitzgerald, you will know what this book is about. It is well written, and was an awesome read.
-
Long time since I have been here. I thought when I was old I would have more time. Guess not.
Speaking of Gospel music along with the Gaither, I literally loved Howard and Vestal Goodman.
I have most of the tapes, she could sing like an angel. I put an app on my I-Pod yesterday and it is
Pandora radio. You just type in who you want to hear and away you go. I am having the time of my lifelisting to this thing. Also added one that moniters your heart rate. You can see your heart beating just like at the dr,s and then they tell you the results.
I am enjjoying a book I found at my book store. Its by John Hart and is called the Last Child. Anybody read him???
-
I love Pandora, too, Judy. I have it on my Nook ereader and on my computer so I can hear the music I want, when I want it.
-
Judy, my f2f group read Hart's Down River and liked it a lot. I have not read any of his others.
I'm just about finished with my first Alan Furst book -- Dark Voyage. He supposedly writes spy novels, but this one reads more like day-to-day-life-in-the-merchant-marine. About a Dutch cargo ship doing clandestine shipping for the Allies in early WWII. Good background about a little-known aspect of naval warfare.
-
Pandora! Oh yeah! I've been on it on my pc for about five years and i've rated enough songs that i hardly ever hear a song i don't like, even love. It's so good that sometimes when i'm on at night, i put off going to bed because the music selection is so good!
Jean
-
How is Pandora for classical music?
-
Joan it should be good you just pick out what you want.
Pedln I am glad you enjoyed Down River I sure did. Will give it to my friend at Fairwinds and then i MAY READ IT AGAGIN.
Jane can you put Pandora on your Kindle?
-
Judy...I don't have a Kindle. I have a NookColor and yes, it has Pandora, some apps like games, email and the ability to connect to any WiFi and do websurfing, etc. It's quite a nice little tablet for $250.00.
-
Yes, you can get classical music from pandora.you can set up " stations" w/ whatever kind of music you like and you name them whatever you like. I have about eight different "stations" w/ names of performers of the kind of music on the station......."Diane Krall" which has women jazz singers; "easy listening" which is mostly instrumental pop music, altho i have some classical on that and i like Sousa's marches, so there are some of those; "James Taylor,"which has folk music and others of his time; i like Christmas music all year round, so i have a "holiday station";" The Temptations" has a lot of the rock and roll groups of the 50s and 60s; "Shania Twain" has women country singers; "MJQ" has jazz music. But most of the time i play them as a shuffle, so they rotate thru all the "stations", giving me only music i like and i can add new artists or songs as i think about them. Pandora then adds music similar to that artist or song and i can "like" or "dislike" them.
When i want some quiet classical music behind my work, i generally listen to accurradio.com. They present you w/ genres to choose from. I generally choose "Mozart" on the "classical" channel. They have dozens of different "channels" of genres and then dozens more "subchannels" w/in each channel.
I can get both of these on my ipad.
Another one i listen to is Live365.com. It also has many different genres of "radio stations".
All of these are free, they have a few ads, but if you pay a fee -$30+ on most, you can get
ad-free music. I love them all, but don't pay the fee.
Jean
-
So, explain "Pandora" to me. Is it a program you download, to your computer? How much space does it take up? Does it work on Any computer? Etc. etc.?
-
pandora is a website, pandora.com. They "hold" your preferences and music. When you go there the first time you start an account, which means nothing to do w/ money unless youopt for "no ads". You choose a password, etc and then they ask you to choose a song or performer that you like and they offer other suggestions that you can "like", or "dislike", etc, etc, etc. They also direct you how to set up your "stations".
There is an app for ipads, etc., otherwise, on a pc, you can set the site as a favorite or bookmark, like all your others and when you go there your stations come up.
As i mentioned, after a couple of months, i was getting almost ALL songs or performers i like and seldom have to pay any further attention to it when it's playing, altho, if you ignore them too long, they will stop playing music and ask " are you still there?"
I love it! Hope you will too........ Jean
-
I'm about 75% through The Art of Fielding and as this is Chad Harbach's first novel, I can hardly wait for the second. His characters truly live and I find myself experiencing the same feelings as they in their failures and accomplishments. I also find myself visualizing them physically and selecting who might play that role in a movie production. I wonder if there are any casting director openings?
-
I am glad you are enjoying the book Jim it is all over the place on best seller lists extI
I see Ginny didn't post here this morning but I am sure you all have seen her posts in the library.
Gumtree passed away you might all want to go to the library and read of her passing
-
What is "The Art of Fielding" about, JIM? From the title I would suspect baseball, but I suppose
it could be 'fielding' most anythng.
-
I have just received Reading Group Choices 2012. Do any of you have access to this book? Every year they publish this book with suggestions for book discussions. They do a survey of favorite book club selections for the previous year, also.
Early in 2011 they asked thousands of book to share their favorite books. The following is a list of favorites of 2010.
1. The Help'
2. Cutting for Stone
3. Sarah's Key
4. Still Alice
5. The Book Thief
6. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
7. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
8. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
9. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
10. Little Bee
I have read all but Still Alice and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. How many have you read? What books would you add to this list? Do you agree or disagree with their choices. They are now taking a poll for book club favorites for 2011. What are your favorite reads for 2011.
I checked my list of books read in 2011. The following are my personal (not necessarily book club books) favorite for this year.
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
House at Riverton
The Silent Girl
The Butterfly's Daughter
The Peach Keeper
Girl in Translation
Sally
-
Sally, that's interesting. I've only read Major Pettigrew, The Book Thief, Little Bee and about half of the Guernsey Potato thing - couldn't bear it, but I know it was popular.
My reading this year has been a bit interrupted by all the house moves, but I think my favourites to date would be:Major Pettigrew, The Wouldbegoods, and Bury Your Dead.
Rosemary
-
Babi: The Art of Fielding is Chad Harbach's debut novel about a young man who attends a small Wisconsin college on a baseball scholarship. The backdrop is baseball but it is by no means about baseball; it concerns the emotional ups and downs of a myriad of relationships and how the charcaters deal with them. Character development is superb and you'll not want it to end. Some readers are bored with the game of baseball and might be misled by the title; don't make that mistake.
-
I was pleased to see I had read five of those 'favorites' of 2010, SALLY. Does that make me
'in', I wonder?
Thanks for the description, JIM. I'll take a look at it if my library has it, but I confess I'm old
enough to find the 'up and down' emotions of the young people rather tiring. :P :)
-
of the 2010 list, I have read ALL of them, with the exception of Cutting for Stone.
Read Pettigrew and passed it on to several friends, and we all loved it.
-
Very interesting, Sally.
I have read 3 of the 2010 books and 2 of the 2011 books thus far.
-
I have read six of the 2011 books - liked two of them. "Cutting For Stone" is on my Book Swap Club list; my turn isn't until next May.
I've only read 2 of the 2010 selections so will make a note to reserve the others.
Oh,, how I do enjoy all the suggestions I find on here! You have all broadened my reading experiences so much. Thank you!
-
I've read 4 of the books. Still Alice was good but I had shivers up my spine all through it, as there's so much dementia in my family. I've not long read another book by the author, Lisa Genova?, I think it was called Losing The Left. A stressed out career woman with head injuries from a bad car accident .
When she woke up she had a condition where she couldn't see or recognize her left side. I'd never, ever heard of it. Her frantic life came to a screaming halt, and months of therapy and dependance became the norm. I thought it might have been depressing and cheesy, but it was surprisingly funny, upbeat and tender.
If I had to pick a favourite from my recent books, Nicci Gerrard's The Winter House would win hands down. I loved it. It's about memories and family, and as a reviewer said, nobody does poignancy like Nicci Gerrard.
-
I've read 6 of the 2010s, which surprised me, and Pettigrew. Usually I've read none on those lists. Still Alice sounds good, Octavia, I'd never heard of it or its author, but my library has it, so I think I"ll check it out. It looks like the author, Genova, is writing about what she knows. She's a neuroscience Ph D, at Harvard, I think. Is Losing the Left non-fiction? I think Still Alice is her first novel.
As for the Nicci Gerrard (another new name for me), is The Winter House available in the US?
-
I so enjoyed "Still Alice", and I think it is a good read, even for people of our age, who may be dreading what might happen, or for younger folks in their middle age. "Alice" was so very brilliant, and I wept as each tiny loss occurred.
-
. "Cutting for Stone" is a remarkable book; I loved it. The author is a doctor
just like his protagoist, with a very similar background. He is a distinguished
physician, and as far as I know, he still practices here in the States.
-
Oh dear, the book is actually called Left Neglected,. Pedln. I don't know where I got the other title from. Gum would have gently but firmly pointed out my error :).
The Winter House is on Amazon, but there are no reviews, nor for the other books she's written as herself, and not co-written with SeanFrench under the name Nicci French.
Perhaps they haven't been published there for very long.
-
I have fallen in love with Daniel Silva and am plowing through all of his novels, I can reach. No idea why I like him, generally spies are boring, but he is good.
-
I am "plowing through" Haruki Murakami's new book that arrived the other day 1Q84 - for those of us who admire his writing the man is a genius and we have plenty to absorb - this book is 825 pages!
-
Steph...my husband is a HUGE Daniel Silva fan as well. He also likes Vince Flynn and Joseph Finder. I think they all write in the same genre.
jane
-
Have been trying out the Kindle and 2 others One was the colour Nook. They have them at my library. I don't think I could stand to read a book on either one of them. Just so use to holding a book in hand. Maybe they take getting use to. Just to small for me.
Now they also let me play around and did show me A Apple IPAD. Now that i may like. About nine inch screen. May be able to take place of my Lap Top which I never see to use. Don't like to carry it with me. To heavy.
On the PAD one can go into the Internet. do your E-Mails. lots of other things. Love some of the APPS. (They interest me). Would take time to learn but then the computers sort of scared us when we first started.
Not being able to type fast would be my problem. After years I can't look down at keys. Have that problem with my Laptop. My usual speed and my fingers hit wrong keys.
Going to spend some more time on a IPAD before I spend the money.
-
Ido love my IPAD, but the typing is a bit tricky at best. I use one finger on each hand. makes it faster for me, but oh me, do I miss letters. But the IPAD,. cant remember what I did without it. I read just fine with it. I have seen a new cover that actually holds it up on a table..May get that one.
-
I also love my iPad. When we traveled recently, I used it as I would a lap top. Kept track of our expenses on "Budget" and synced it with the computer when I got home. My husband and I both enjoy reading on it. He likes it better than a real book. However, I still frequent my local library. Hopefully, they will eventually get a loan program for the e-readers.
-
Now our local library has gotten a Loan program just starting. Comes under the name. "My Media Mall" Not quite understanding how they work and so I will sit with them for awhile before I decide. Don't want to invest $499 if not what I want.
Looks like you still have to have a computer in order to use this service. My desktop I believe will be to slow as I only have Dial up on it.
I do have a laptop so will use it as can can WiFi at the library.
Friend just put name down to get the New Kindle Fire that will be out middle of November. It will do lot more than the orig. Kindle they say. Also coloured but still only a 7 inch screen. I like a 9 inch. This Kindle fire will be only $199.
-
The Kindle Fire is supposed to be a rip off on the IPAD,, so check them together to see which might work better.
Our library does do ebook loans and it is enormously popular.
The childrens library is getting in the series that I donated in my husbands name. They showed me the book plates and the signage on the book shelves. It is an interesting take on how to read for kids.. The librarian loves it and says it is enormously popular. I am so glad. Hard for me to look at, still, but time will help that.
-
Steph, that is just wonderful that so many children will benefit from your husband's legacy - people will always think of him when they take those books out. I'm sure he would be so proud and pleased.
Rosemary
-
$499. for a media program. I can't imagine anything being worth that, JEANNE.
Especially if you don't like watching movies on a computer screen, as I don't.
-
Babi,
No, the media program at the library means that one can go in and put any book onto their IPad, Kindle, Nook or any other Electric reader they own. Also one will be able to borrow one from the library.
I will only be interested in the IPAD. I am amazed at one can do on it. Now I don't believe that movies can be run on them. I just have a lot to learn before I invest.
-
Actually , yes you can download pretty much anything on an IPAD, that you can on a computer. I sat next to a mother and small son on a plane recently and he was content with the IPAD showing both Disney movies, but also games for him.. You can even plug it into a plug under the seat if you are running down your battery too fast. I watch ABC shows that I miss, since I dislike staying up past 10...
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I love the thought of books being given in a loved one's name.
-
Who ever recommended Still Alice book My heartfelt thanks. This should be a book that everyone should read. Thank you so much.
Amazon also thanks you, when ever anyone talks about a book I think I would like there it goes on my Kindle at the end of the month I am horrified. Oh well I don't drink any more so I think I am well ahead of the game!!!! hehe
-
Still Alice goes on Kindle on Jan. 9th.
-
I read "Still Alice" when it first came out, and was deeply moved by it, and recommended it ever since. I don't know if I recommended it here, but I know I have in other places on line. But, so many people say "I just can't handle a book with this subject matter". Best to think about it, before it befalls you, or someone you love.
-
jeriron, according to amazon, Still Alice has been on Kindle since Jan 2009 or 2010 - at least that's what I think it says.
-
I looked and could swear that STill Alice is on kindle and ibook as well.. Excellent book, hard to read, but worth it.. Giving up drinking?? What do you think they grow grapes for.. Help the poor grape industry out.
-
Sorry about that. I thought about the year when I was posting but should have and didn't go back and check.
-
Steph I can't buy any more grapes.
Still Alice is on Kindle I bought it a few days ago.
This disease will touch everyone of us without a doubt.
-
Yes, the disease is prolific and pernicious to the individual, their family and future generations within that family. Brrr, Grrr and yet, sad.
-
Since my mother in law had it, I know what a terrible thing it does to people. She was bright and outgoing.. always busy and happy. It turned her into this horrible thing that finally did not even know her son.. So very very sad.
I am reading the third Lumby book..When I need something that is gentle and kind and very funny, I have turned to these.. The drawings are also wonderful..But I must admit, that although she places Lumby on the west coast, it truly sounds like the mountains of North Carolina..
-
Yes, thank goodness for AA and Al-anon we are beginning to understand this devastating decease.
-
I don't understand
Barb does AA and Alanon discuss Altzhemizers and Dementia? Makes no sense to me
-
Since the comment was made about feeling the grape industry would be affected I did not think that grapes had much to do with Alzheimer's or Dementia and assumed we were talking about how a grape product affects some folks. It appears we have been talking past each other...
-
I have just received Reading Group Choices 2012. Do any of you have access to this book? Every year they publish this book with suggestions for book discussions. They do a survey of favorite book club selections for the previous year, also.
Early in 2011 they asked thousands of book to share their favorite books. The following is a list of favorites of 2010.
1. The Help'
2. Cutting for Stone
3. Sarah's Key
4. Still Alice
5. The Book Thief
6. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
7. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
8. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
9. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
10. Little Bee
I have read all but Still Alice and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. How many have you read? What books would you add to this list? Do you agree or disagree with their choices. They are now taking a poll for book club favorites for 2011. What are your favorite reads for 2011.
I checked my list of books read in 2011. The following are my personal (not necessarily book club books) favorite for this year.
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
House at Riverton
The Silent Girl
The Butterfly's Daughter
The Peach Keeper
Girl in Translation
Sally
Sally, I've read all but Still Alice and Cutting for Stone from the 2010 list. I tried reading Little Bee, but it was too graphic for me. I bought Cutting for Stone and it's next. I haven't read any of the books on the 2011 list, but Girl in Translation is already on my mp3 player and will be my next audiobook once I finish Sarah's Key.
My book group is reading American Rust by Philipp Meyer for November. It's gotten good reviews. I'll let you know what I think about it.
Thanks for the lists!!
-
What's with the latest post on future discussions?
Sally
-
I could not finish Little Bee. I simply cannot do violence any more.. But read most of the rest.. not Sarahs Key and I cannot remember even hearing about it before now.
I have decided to read Middlesex and just ordered it from my swap club.. He won a Pulitzer??
-
Steph, I finished Little Bee, but found it depressing & would not recommend it for that reason. Sarah's Key was good, but also depressing. I don't like to read depressing books any more. It's been a little over three years since I lost my husband and depressing books put me in a "funk" that I have trouble getting out of. No thank you! Let me know what you think about Middlesex. I've heard a lot about it, but haven't read it.
Sally
-
Sally...Just another of the spammers that try to get to our website daily. We delete over 100 daily. We have a spam filter, but some of them still get through, since they seem to hit us early in their "mission" to post at as many websites as possible. They often come in overnight USA since they're often in the Orient and/or former Russian areas, so it may take us, depending on our time zones, a bit to know. If you just click the
REPORT TO MODERATOR [ in the lower right hand corner of every post] that'll send an email automatically to several of us and we can get on it as soon as we get online.
jane
-
Same here Sally, since my husbands death and the accident, I do not handle violence and depressing books well at all, and stop reading if they get that way.. On the other hand, I have just found Daniel Silva and love the assassins.. Weird, but I would guess, so far out of normal that I dont believe it.
My bed book just now is the third Lumby and it is fun before bed to read a bit about a very interesting and unusual type place.
-
Can anybody explain to me what the spammers hope to get out of all these intrusions?
If it's supposed to be amusing, I'm afraid the humor escapes me completely. Are they
all trying to sell something? Are they all crooks and thieves?
-
Babi...I think the majority are selling something or getting paid for directing people to specific websites which may be selling something....everything from knocked off famous products (i.e., knockoffs of Ugg Boots, Coach bags, Christian Louboutin outrageously expensive shoes with the red soles, etc. to directing people to porn sites that charge, etc. Quite a few are in foreign languages when they do get through to post or their "translations" into English make little/no sense.
jane
-
As I understand it there are two reasons for the rise in Spam especially international Spam - it is cheaper than buying a list of email addresses and once they have your email address there is an invisible filter that is not called a filter but some word that begins with an O that allows them to use software that will find if you include certain words in your email so they can advertise based on the number of hits
And then the second reason especially for foreign spammers is to figure out how to get around the protections we use - the more they can figure that out on a simple home computer then small companies and non-profits the closer they are to understanding how to get around the protections of corporations and then universities, labs and government sites.
-
A fond farewell to
Andy Rooney I feel as if I had lost a close friend.
-
Steph, thanks for reminding me about the Lumby series. I've read a couple, and will check on others. This time of the year, I seem to need to read comfort books. I checked out a couple of Christmas themed books from the lib. and have downloaded a couple of cozy mysteries on my Kindle. I'll let you know if any are worth reading.
I just finished Caleb's Crossing for my ftf book club. It was well writted, but I just couldn't get interested in it. I read half and had to turn it in, so I checked it out on tape (cd) and listened to the rest of it on my way to my family reunion. I found it tedious and rather boring. It will be interesting to see what the rest of the club thinks about it. Have any of you read it and what did you think?
Sally
-
I didn't realize that Alexander McCall Smith (author of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency) had started a new series called Corduroy Mansions. It's about the people living in apartments in a an old mansion in central London. I am reading the second book "The Dog Who Came in from the Cold". Very good. Now I'll have to go back and find the first book in the series.
Andy Rooney had a remarkable career. How many people can work or even last until they are 92 and still love their work?
-
Sally, I stuck with "Caleb's Crossing" after I read in the author's notes that it was based on a true story.
Quite by accident, I followed it with "Harvard Yard" by William Martin (because I had liked his previous books) and found reference to some of the incidents in C C in the beginnng segment.
"Sort of" made it worthwhile to have finished Caleb's Crossing.
I'm glad to know about the new Alexander McCall Smith series.
I've just finished "With Friends Like These" by Sally Koslow. Not quite a "light read" but not anything I really had to think about, either. I think I'll try another one by her.
-
FlaJean - the Corduroy Mansions series was originally serialised in The Daily Telegraph (a national newspaper) - my mother takes this paper and she never told me!! I have read both books and I would say that the second is better than the first - see what you think. I felt with the first that McCall Smith was just not on such firm ground as he is with the Scotland Street books, because he obviously lives here in Edinburgh and doesn't know London so well, so although the story was good there weren't so many local references. In the second book, however, he seemed to have 'settled in' to the whole thing more, and I enjoyed it.
Rosemary
-
I liked the scottish McCall Smith, but cannot bear to read the African ones.
They made me grind my teeth.. Just too too twee.
-
Thank you, JANE & BARB. Now if some genius would just come up with a way to really
protect us on-line, he/she would deserve a Nobel.
I read Caleb's Crossing, SALLY, and was really taken with the way Caleb was presented.
It was sad that after all the sacrifices he made and all he attained, that he died so
soon after. He would most likely have had a long...and happier...life if he had not
made the decision to cross over to the white man's world.
-
I loved the African stories. In fact, another is being published soon, I believe. However, these stories are more like the Scottish books.
-
I couldn't get into the African books but I enjoyed the movies on HBO. Infact they are showing them On Demand right now.
-
Sometime I may try the movies, just to see how I feel about them..
I remember being so disappointed in the Dick Francis british series. Not the way I thought of his books at all.. They did do a lovely job on AllCreatures Great and Small books though. I watched every single one of those.
-
I loved the "All Creatures Great and Small" books and also the videos. They did a terrific job of casting, I thought.
-
Lumby's Bounty was really fun. It also included all sorts of information on hot air balloons and their construction and racing and shows. Learned a lot about them. I went up in one and adored it.But oh my the cost.
-
Don't know if I mentioned this the other day in here.
For those who read "Sarah's Key" and liked it. I went to see the movie the other day. Was very good. Stuck to the story. (Many don't). Didn't realize that it was part in French with subtitles and part in English. Easy to follow.
-
Started Jane Austin in Scarsdale.. Sort of slow at this point, but I will give it a bit more time.
-
Picked up Nora Roberts new book "Next Always" at the library yesterday. I read about fifty pages last night. It's an interesting story, but very formulaic Roberts - 3 brothers, three women who are obviously going to connect w/ the brothers....... I've read this story already!!!
I'll read a little more to see if there is a new tangent, but, if not, i may not finish it. What is interesting is that the brothers and their mother are a construction company and are renovating an old victorian house into a bed and breakfast. There is much description about the architecture and the decorating. One of the women in an Iraq widower who has opened a bookstore, another owns an Italian restaurant and - the third is on her way to town to manage the b and b. All the busnesses are in a block on Main St, Boonesboro, Ma.
The details about the businesses may keep me interested, but i get a little bored with every man and woman who meet in these books having to have a romantic relationship and, of course, they find love, lose love and get back together in the end! I guess that's why they call them "romance" novels, ??? ??? altho i didn't realize this was a "romance" novel when i picked it up. It's hard to tell when they are in the "fiction" shelves, but i sometimes question how it is decided which books go in fiction, mystery or romance!?!
-
I graduated from Library School, and I also have never understood how the librarians decided whether a Tony Hillerman novel belonged under "Western", "Mystery" or was put in the general section. The decison hides books from me that I might enjoy - I never would read a Western and I am about equally interested in mysteries and general novels. I also avoid romances, and don't understand exactly how these are defined. I recently read a book that was gothic but not a romance! That confused me. ???
-
Ursa--- I'm also a LibSchool grad and I think it's a local librarian's decision...and sometimes dictated by shelving. I know hardcovers at our local library tend to end up in fiction while "romance," "romantic suspense" mystery, and the like in paperback may end up on the spinner racks.
I sometimes wish all fiction here in our local library was by author surname with distinguishing spine tags for westerns, sci fi, mystery, romance, horror.
-
Well, the new "thing" down here is the the collection is "intermingled" (the library's word, not mine). All fiction of any kind is intermingled with everything else, alphabetically by Author's name. Now don't that take the cake? That's fiction, mystery, sci-fi, western, romance, horror and any other "fiction" category you can think of. Bah. I hate it.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
-
Tomereader....Do they use tags on the spines to distinguish the various genres...or do you have to use the catalog to find those?
-
On the copyright page of a book I used to see, quite often, a category listing for the book. Sometimes more than one category was listed. I don't see that listed very often in the new books. I miss it, because I always found it helpful when placing my own books on shelves. I tend to place by subject area. It sounds like people are either getting lazy about categorizing or there is categories are becoming blurred with so many "crossover" genres that many books are difficult to place in one or another. The latter, I think, would affect mostly fiction genres.
-
Only a few of the books have tags on the spines. The sci-fi's mostly do, and some of the westerns. A few of the mysteries are tagged with a Sherlock Holmes sticker. General fiction usually just has a "F" on a tag. In these days of no budget, no staff, I guess it's just easier to put everything alphabetically by author so the volunteers won't have a hard time re-shelving.
-
A good library would have a better system. Would make it easier for them to file the books and also for people to find what they are looking for. Must be a very small library with few volunteers.
-
Yes, it's hardcopies that confuse me in our library, Lisa Scottoline is in fiction, altho there is a huge section for mysteries. They have a separate room for paperbacks where there are sections for westerns, romance, mystery and fiction.
Speaking of making things easier for the customers....... Another woman and i were both looking for books that were on the bottom shelves of the stacks. I suggested to the librarian that they put in verticle rolling shelves like they have for files in doctors offices ;D ;D. The books i'm looking for are inevitably on the top or bottom -the worst! - shelves. How nice it would be to press a button and have the shelf come to eye level, don't you think that could be done!?! ;) actually, since they getting ready to build a brand new library, maybe i'll talk it up some more.
-
The rolling shelving sounds great - unfortunately, libraries are always the last to get money and the first to get cut. There's rarely enough money for anything more than the basics with the lowest bid.
-
Yes, money for anything in a library is hard to come by right now.
Our library puts all adult fiction together - they used to be separated but it is a hard call to make - for example, is it mystery, suspense, a novel, or all three, or if set in the old West, a western, or maybe romantic suspense? As a stack browser, I appreciate having them all together (the better for serendipity?). The regular paperbacks are separated into Westerns, mysteries, romance, Sci-Fi. And then there is the large print section. And never enough room - so yes, those rotating shelves would be nice - The bottom shelf is hard to reach, the top shelf doesn't work with my bifocals....
-
I once found a library where the chief librarian not only filed everything under general fiction, but insisted on filing it under their real names, not their pen names, talk about confusing to the general public..
-
JEAN, I had to smile at your description of Roberts 'formulaic' story.
My ex once remarked of a Western writer that he had three great books, ...
and that he had written each of them a hundred times!
And I share your puzzlement as to how books are categorized in the
libraries. I think the formula changed from time to time, leaving us wholly
bewildered. I remember the old card catalogs would identify the various
genres under which that book could be listed. A book could be Historical
Fiction, Western and Mystery.
Careful what you wish for, JANE. For a while, at least, my library was
categorizing books written under an author's various pen names under his/her
real name. Sometimes made it hard to find your favorites.
Yes, staff is being lost. Two employees have 'retired' where I volunteer,
and others seem to be working fewer days. Just the other day, tho', the
city started delivering the large black garbage bags again. I could only hope
that meant the budget situation was improving.
-
No, Jeanne, ours is NOT a small library. We have 27 branches and a massive main library downtown.
And volunteers are practically all we have on a regular basis. They got rid of all the "pages", who were employees, and cut staff to 4 or 5 in each branch. Even some floors of the main library are closed down.
When the City cuts the Budget, libraries, parks and recreation and sanitation services are the first to go. And they have done two major cuts since last year.
-
I'm a retired high school librarian and we housed (intermingled :) ) all the fiction together. One of the first things the kids learned when they came for orientation was that all the MCs and MACs were together, otherwise all fiction was alphbetically by author. For specific genres they used the catalog. Just like the kid who wanted to read all the sports fiction that the library had. We did some cataloging, but most of our books came alreay catalogued, and we left them alone unless they put something like sports or music in biography and we wanted them in the sports and music areas where they were more easily found.
As for the public library, we're lucky here that we have a library tax, which the city can't cut. The hours have not been cut, the programming is good. I don't know about employment, but the familiar faces are still there.
They do have separate genre shelving for mystery, sci-fi and westerns, but as has been mentioned, sometimes it's a tough call. If I know what I'm after I usually just check the catalog from home, or browse in the new book display. And "holds" are always in a special section ready to be retrieved.
-
If it weren't for the Friends of the Library, at each branch, we would be in really bad shape. The Friends get the speakers, arrange adult programs, buy materials, etc.
Actually, earlier I forgot to mention: When you check out now, unless you use the automatic checkout machines (which are super!) you no longer get a paper receipt showing which book, when due... I'm not sure if all the branches have the automatics yet, but they are nice and prevent standing in long lines (since there's not much staff). Oh, woe is us...BUT thank God we still have LIBRARIES, and we put up with whatever the budgetary gurus foist upon us. We always have remarkable turnout when they have town hall meetings regarding cuts to libraries, etc., but they'll add just a little something, yet go right on with their slicing and dicing!
-
Just finished a book I really liked.
The Notorius Mrs Winston by Mary Macky,
Its very well researched and what fun I had reading it.
My book store is looking for her other books for me.
This one was not on my Kindle but a real book hehe
-
JUdy, what type of book.. I have never heard of the author and want to know if it is something I would like.. Well researched.. on what??
-
"I've gotten in the habit of doing that, PEDLN,..checking the library
catalog from home. It has saved me many a fruitless trip. I've learned to
take note, also, of the number of volumes on hand. I was surprised at how
often I found a book listed, but the details showed '0' books available.
Presumably these are 'lost' books that remain in the catalog in hopes they
will turn up. And some of them do.
My library uses the little date stickers, TOME. I much prefer them to the
paper receipts, tho' we get those, too. I can't lose the date stickers. :-\
-
Babi, I just went to our library's online catalog to look for a book. It, too, showed "0" books available. As I looked around the "box" for that book, I saw that it was a paperback - hence not able to be reserved. Oh, well....
-
Our library is big on best sellers, but lots of back books by the author.. no.. drives me nuts.
-
My pet peeve with library selections is when they buy a couple of books from a series, but
seemingly at random. If like a series I want to read them all, in sequence, without having to
miss #1 and #3! :(
-
Try ordering the missing books from Amazon used. They cost nearly nothing in addition to the standard postage of $3.95. It irks me that they won't give a quantity discount when you order three or four, though.
-
I like to read all books of a series in order, too, Babi.
This coming Saturday night the LIFE channel is going to show a movie of a Jodie Picoult book called Salem Falls.
-
My paperback swap club is great for older books, so I use that. I have a lot of credits built up. I love science fictionand that in a swap book club is like found money. They get snapped up immediately.
-
My ftf book club met yesterday. Our book discussion was on Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks. There were only 8 of us present at the meeting. Only 4 of us had completed the book. 3 liked it. I did not. It was well written, but I found it boring and really hard to pick up once I put it down. I ended up listening to the last third on cd while I travelled to my family reunion. 4 of the members were still in the process of reading the book; so I suspect that they were also having trouble getting interested in the story. Have any of you read it; and what did you think?
Sally
-
Sally, I haven't read it so i just had a look at it on Amazon (UK). It gets some good customer reviews, but one of the less positive ones says that the book was boring and the audio book absolutely terrible because of Jennifer Ehle's appalling narration. Did you find that?
Rosemary
-
Do not have Calebs crossing and do not even know what it is about..
So I cant answer.. But I am reading Middlesex and although the reviews were somewhat strange in places, I am enjoying it a lot..Did we do a book group on it??
-
I read Caleb's Crossing and found it engrossing, though sad in many ways. It seems
to be one of those books that depend on individual tastes, I guess. Like liver. (I like
liver, too. Except beef liver...too strong.)
-
Rosemary, I found the book easier to listen to than to read--maybe because I was trapped in my car!!
Babi, I like liver, too; but Caleb's Crossing left me cold. It didn't really tell me anything I didn't know, and wasn't really about Caleb.
Just checked out Night Circus. It has been given good reviews. Have any of you read it?
Sally
-
I read a couple of Brooks' books that were DNF for me, and decided I wouldn't read any more of hers. Not very interesting, IMO.
Marj
-
Yes, Night Circus is magical - hard to find a message except small truths along the way but the writer can paint pictures with words that take you into fairy land.
-
I've been re-reading The Children's Hour, I love that book. I have The Library of Shadows from the Library, but the beginning isn't grabbing me, perhaps it'll get better as I move into the main story. Has anyone read it?
-
Ihave heard that Night Circus is good and have it on my look at list.. Middlesex is staggering at various points. Too much information is hard sometimes. I have to stop reading it to just figure out where he is going and why..
-
SALLY, you must know much more about the early settlers and Indians of Mass. and
the beginnings of Harvard than I did. I learned so much. I was fascinated that the
people of that time referred to the Indians as 'salvages', not savages!
I think I need to put myself on the waiting list for "Night Circus", BARB. I keep finding
it 'checked out'.
-
I have not read Night Circus, but have a son-in-law who did and he passed it on to me asking me to pass it on to the one of my daughters who did her Junior Year in France and now teaches High School French. He said something to the affect that she would love the book for the portions that take place in France?
I did pass it on. Said daughter has not had time to even begin it, so nothing to report. He lived it; that I do know.
-
On the last 100 pages of Middlesex.. Hmm and it won the Pulitzer.. not sure why.. It staggers all over the place..Hinting.. blaring...frustrating at times. I like it, but do not think of it as an outstanding for the year novel.
-
STEPH, I just began reading "Middlesex". I have heard so many people saying they read it, that I decided to try it for myself. Are you glad, or sorry, to have read it?
LARRY, what is the little blue ribbon, in the upper right hand corner of our Kindle Fire do? I have read the Kindle guide book at least half a dozen times, but still cannot do most of the things it is capable of doing!
Sheila
-
Sheila, Middlesex is an interesting book.. Very odd in some ways, but worth reading. He is very very wordy, so you wade through some descriptions that seem far out.. No idea how much is true history and how much is fiction,, but I am glad I read it.
-
I suggest to everybody that they google their legal name in quotes, ie "Jane M. Doe" and see what turns up. When I googled mine I found that all my personal information had been hacked and was available online on a Russian website. I have been scrambling around changing credit card numbers and freezing credit to prevent this from being used to steal my identity. As far as I can tell it has not been used, but the citation is still there and there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it. We contacted the Dept. of Justice Cybercrime Unit and got what amounts to the cockroach letter. There were many, many other people on the database with their personal information exposed. It appears that various hackers have stolen the information from multiple sites and posted it as a matter of bragging. This is very distressing but at least since I know it is exposed I can take steps to prevent damage to my credit.
-
Ursa...one of the reasons we "locked" our credit at the big 3 credit checking sources several years ago. It cost us $10.00 each at each of the big 3, but nobody can take out credit cards in our name this way. If we want new cards or want our credit checked (we don't), we have special forms and such we have to send them and pay to unlock it. It's been peace of mind, though.
We go on the assumption nothing about us is private. I check our credit card statement both online and the paper one we get to make sure no unauthorized charges are there. We bank with a locally owned bank that has no branches. I walk in and am greeted by name everytime. I can see the President and he's the head of the fmaily owned business(and know him by name) in his office that has glass walls and is right inside the front door.
jane
-
Ouch - I Know we are warned but it must be devastating to learn the warnings are true and they happen to you. Just checked and where I was surprised about some of what is online - our posts here on Senior Learn for instance bottom line there was nothing damaging. Thanks for the Tip and so sorry this happened to you.
-
It is remarkable what is on line and how old some of it is.. I found things there that were maybe four email addresses ago. Mostly genealogy for me..Incorrect address in several places.. I guess things go there and stick..
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
The doors are open to our Holiday Open House - come on over - drop in and share with us a moment of your Holiday memories and current celebration.
Hope I am doing this correctly but here is a link to our Holiday Open House.
http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=2715.msg139632#msg139632
-
Finished an older Maeve Binchy yesterday and last night Jass, which is quite a different type of fiction. Both good, but oh my different. The Binchy was nice in that it was about a baby and how a whole neighborhood banded together to help a man raise a baby.
-
Can someone tell me if M. M. Kaye's "The Far Pavilions" was read here?
I tried the "search", but it didn't find anything. (or so it said)
-
I loved Far Pavilions, but I dont remember it being a discussion book.
-
Steph the book was
The Notorious Mrs Winston by Mary Mackey.
I gave it to my friend and she loved it also.
I also have The Widows War by same author.
I have not read that. I am sure you could find them
on Amazon.
-
I picked up William Martin's Citizen Washington in 2002, - i know that only bcs i wrote in my little "read" notebook- bcs the title caught my eye. I liked it very much. Then i read Back Bay, shich i also liked, altho i don't remember much of the story today. My library just got a couple more of his. I'm reading Harvard Yard now. It's going back and forth between 1600/1700's and contemporary times. I'm not fond of that style, but in the first 100 pages it's working. The early story is of families involved in the beginning of Harvard and it's time and the contemporary story, so far, is about a group of alumni. The connector is that Shakespear gave a manuscript to one of the early characters and a contemporary character is an expert in antique books and manuscripts, so i'm sure it will turn up inthe 21st century.
Jean
-
I just received the following information from Matthew Pearl about his new book, THE TECHNOLOGISTS, which will be out in February. We've read some of his previous books together. This one looks very interesting. My public library has the book on order in several branches. I'm first on the HOLD list!
Hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the holiday season. My latest
novel, The Technologists, will be out February 21, 2012. That evening, we'll
have a very special launch event at the M.I.T. Museum in Cambridge, MA; if
you're in the Boston area or want to make a special trip for it, that
celebration be open to all so please watch for details on that and my others
events at the book tour guide through the news page of my site
(http://www.matthewpearl.com/news.html).
Though we still have a couple of months before the novel's release, I wanted to
tell you about three ways you can get a taste of the book right now!
First, I'm excited to announce that you can now read an exciting prequel to The
Technologists, titled "The Professor's Assassin." This is an original story told
in twelve chapters available exclusively for download to your e-reader, tablet,
phone or computer. In The Technologists, you'll meet William Barton Rogers, the
determined visionary founder and president of M.I.T., as its inaugural class of
1868 must fight a threat to Boston. In "The Professor's Assassin," we find
Rogers many years earlier, as a professor in his mid-30s at the University of
Virginia at a time when Southern colleges are plagued with violence and riots.
Rogers must confront an unexpected turn in his life when the dean of the
college, his friend, is shot down in cold blood by a student--a real life case
filled with twists and drama. As events unfold, we discover where Rogers
receives some of his early inspiration for the creation of a groundbreaking
college.
"The Professor's Assassin" became available for download just Monday, so I hope
you'll be among the first to give it a read! If you do, please blog and post
about it to help spread the word. Here is a page with links to download it from
a variety of booksellers: http://www.randomhouse.com/book/216279/the-professors-assassin-short-story-by-matthew-pearl
Second, I am happy to tell you that our website devoted to The Technologists is
up and running! We worked very hard to give it a unique look and feel to match
the novel. Please explore at: http://www.matthewpearl.com/tech/index.html
Finally, I'd also like to invite you to watch a "book trailer" for The
Technologists. What's a book trailer? It's a recent trend in publishing to help
get the word out about a new book, similar to a film trailer. This is my first
one, and I'm really excited to share it with you. Have your audio on to listen
to the great accompanying music, too. You can find it on the website or a direct
link right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJHkUYnHk-w
Thanks for letting me touch base. As always, you can stay more updated by
visiting my website (www.matthewpearl.com), choosing to "like" me on Facebook
(http://www.facebook.com/pages/Matthew-Pearl-author/29977879540), and following
me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/MatthewPearl) and Goodreads
(http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6247.Matthew_Pearl).
Sincerely yours,
Matthew
www.matthewpearl.com
"THE TECHNOLOGISTS combines everything I love in a thriller: fascinating
history, science, and a frightening mystery that demands to be solved. Matthew
Pearl is one of my must-read authors. He never fails to intrigue and thrill!"
--Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author of The Silent Girl
"Fascinating, mesmerizing, and richly atmospheric, THE TECHNOLOGISTS is the best
yet from a true master of the historical thriller. I loved this novel." --Joseph
Finder, New York Times bestselling author of Buried Secrets and Vanished
"Pearl's signature complex plotting, strewn with red herrings and populated with
unlikely villains, leaves readers as shocked and intrigued as the Bostonians...
Pearl's first three novels--The Dante Club, The Poe Shadow, and The Last
Dickens--were all New York Times best-sellers. His latest, another
literary-historical thriller, seems certain to join the elite club." -- Booklist
-
A very enticing website on "The Technologists", MARCIE. If I had seen only
the title, I might not have given the book a second thought. Technology
is pretty much a foreign language to me. But this sounds really interesting.
Thanks for all the information.
-
Thanks, Babi. Yes, "The Technologists" title may lead some to think it's a dry science/technology book but I think that Matthew Pearl weaves history and mystery together very well.
-
I sent the site for the ebook to my UVa alumni friend. Sounds like a good read.
Jean
-
He could have chosen a better title. The Technologist will turn a lot of readers off. I am on the fence with him. Some, I like, but others no.
-
Marcie, I downloaded the short story by Matthew Pearl (from Apple to my iPad). It was really interesting. At the end it has a few pages of The Technologists and it sounds intriguing. I definitely have it on my reading list. By the way, the short story was 99 cents. Well worth the price. I think my husband will like the short story as well as the book also. Thanks for the info.
-
I picked out a Christopher Buckley book, Florence of Arabia, at the library, because i wanted something light and funny. Then i noticed that his father William had also written fiction books, i didn't know that, but it didn't surprise me. What did surprise me was that one of the books, Elvis in the Morning, is really about Elvis Presley and the times. I'm about 50 pages into each of them and they are both interesting, well written stories.
F of A is about a woman who works for the state department and decides that educating and empowering women would be the way to bringstability to the Middle East. She puts together a team of misfits; i see some hilarity coming up. E in the M's protagonist is a young boy who adores Elvis. His Mother works on a military base in Germany, where i suppose Elvis will show up soon.
Have any of you read either of the Buckley's fiction?
Jean
-
I'm surprised, Jean. I knew W. F. Buckley wrote a novel or two, I just didn't realize how many. I had one of the Blackford Oakes spy series, name forgotten, but I couldn't get past the first few pages.I think I expected better from Buckley. It no longer resides here.
I looked up what Christopher Buckley wrote and came across someone else who wrote a "spy spoof". Hugh Laurie. How about that. Amazon readers rate it highly.
-
Frybabe - Hugh Laurie is a man of many parts - I think he gets overshadowed by Stephen Fry, who is much louder.
Rosemary
-
William Buckley was a really truly intelligent man. He did many things and almost all of them extremely well.. He was way too conservative, but all in all we could use him nowadays. He was like the voice of reason compared to the current Presidential front runners.
-
Really? Who is Stephen Fry, ROSEMARY? I suppose he's not as well known
here as Hugh Laurie. I am constantly amazed to consider that the same man
plays Dr. House and also played Bertie Wooster. Didn't know he had written
a book, tho'.
I remember reading an article by Christopher Buckley, a memoir about his
parents titled "Losing Mum and Pup". I thought it beautifully written.
-
Stephen Fry was Hugh Laurie's contemporary at Cambridge - they were all there at the same time - Emma Thompson, Tony Slattery, Sandy Toksvig, etc. Fry is hugely famous as an actor, presenter, author and all round national treasure. he is immensely erudite and very funny. One of his first TV comedies was 'Jeeves' in which Laurie played Bertie Wooster and Fry played Jeeves. They are apparently still the greatest of friends. Fry appeared with Laurie again in Blakadder - in one series Laurie played the Prince of Wales and Fry the Duke of Wellington. Fry also read all of the Harry Potter novels for the audiobook versions, and he chairs a very long-running TV quiz called 'QI'. Laurie, meantime, not only hit the jackpot with 'House', but also has his own band, and, as we now see, also writes. In fact they are both depressingly high achieving!
-
I never saw Hugh Laurie play Bertie Wooster or with John Cleese; I watched a couple of times, but didn't like House; I didn't know Laurie had written a book. But, if you haven't heard Hugh Laurie play and sing old New Orleans jazz/blues, RUN, don't walk to get his CD called Let Them Talk (http://hughlaurieblues.com/). It's fabulous!!!
-
Stephen Fry had a recurring guest role on "Bones" as a psychiatrist that Seely was required to see. I absolutely loved him in that role and an hoping they will bring him back. I think both Fry and Laurie are good actors--very versitile.
Sally
-
Rosemary mentioned Emma Thompson at Cambridge which struck me queer. My mind sees only men at Cambridge ;D ;D
Does anyone know when those English colleges became coed?
-
Jean - yes. Until 1972 there were no mixed undergraduate colleges in Cambridge. There were three women only undergraduate colleges - Newnham (the most 'blue-stocking'), Girton (3 miles out of the city up a hill) and New Hall (newer and famously radical - it's now been renamed as Murray Edwards). In 1972 Churchill, Clare and King's Colleges started to admit women. (I myself went to King's five years later in 1977). Most other colleges gradually followed suit, largely because they were losing the best applicants to the mixed colleges. Newnham and New Hall/Murray Edwards have remained resolutely all women. Emma Thompson graduated from Newnham in 1980.
Rosemary
-
Oh, I loved the Harry Potter series on audio.. The man is incredible. Hundreds of voices and he does each one quite differently. I did love that..I still hate House.. the character is so horrid.. MDH regarded it as a funny show, but I would leave the room.
-
Steph, I loved reading the H Potter books to my youngest and really got into doing all the voices - but before we got to the end of the series, she decided she wanted to read them to herself - I assume I just didn't measure up to Stephen Fry's expertise!
-
Have you ever noticed how whole groups of people of a particular talent can
seem to emerge at the same time and close together? It's eerie, and tempts
me to wonder if there is anything to reincarnation.
So Fry was Jeeves! I remember him well; just didn't know his true name.
such remarkable men. And Emma Thompson is 'blue-stocking'. I can readily
imagine that.
Yes, STEPH, House is a truly horrid person. If he wasn't a genius, he would
have undoubtedly been locked up long ago. But when you consider that Hugh
Laurie is not, it is a testimony to his talent as an actor. 8)
-
I'd be interested in reading everyone's best fiction reads of 2011:
Here are mine (alphabetically):
BEST:
AGINCOURT - Bernard Cornwell
BUTTERFIELD EIGHT - John O'Hara
JANE EYRE - Charlotte Bronte
JANE OF LANTERN HILL - L. M. Montgomery
LIMA NIGHTS - Marie Arana
A TOWN CALLED ALICE - Nevil Shute
WOLF HALL - Hilary Mantel
WORST:
THE BONE PEOPLE - Keri Hulme
CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES - John Kennedy Toole
MAKING TOAST - Robert Rosenblatt
YIDDISH POLICEMEN'S UNION - Michael Chabon
Marj
-
My reading has been badly affected this year by all these house moves, school traumas, etc, but here are mine:
Best (in no special order):
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - Helen Simonson
The Wouldbegods- E Nesbit
Bury Your Dead - Louise Penny
The Light Years - Elizabeth Jane Howard
Bertie Plays the Blues - Alexander McCall Smith
Excellent Women - Barbara Pym (must be the tenth time I've read it and it's still wonderful to me)
Worst:
Little Bee - Chris Cleave (with apologies!)
Do You Want To Know A Secret? - Mary J Clarke
Twenty-NIne Gifts (this is non-fiction) - Cami Walker
Rosemary
-
rosemary: you're reading E. Nesbit? I loved her as a child! I recently got a collection of her stories on my kindle for 99 cents, but I haven't reread any yet. I'm afraid to spoil the magic.
-
Oh yes Joan, I love E Nesbit. I only ever read The Railway Children as a child, but in recent years I have read The Treasure Seekers and The Wouldbegoods, and I have Five Children and It, The Phoenix & The Carpet and The Story of the Amulet still to look forward to. I absolutely loved The Treasure Seekers; Oswald is a brilliant creation, isn't he?
Rosemary
-
Oh My,, O'Hara.. Read simply everything of his. He was considered racy when I was younger, but I adored his books..Also Nevil
Shute.. He did one of the very very best end of the world books years ago.
I hate and refused to finish Little Bee. Simply cannot handle violence. There is enough violence in the world without reading fiction about it as well.
Could not beging to make a list.. I am sure it would be of what I have read in the past few months, since remembering when I read books is hard for me. I can say for sure that I discovered Daniel Silva this past year and have read maybe 5 of his books thus far.. Have not gotten my hands on the latest Louise Penny, but loved all of her thus far. Loved reading about polygamy earlier this year. It is truly surprising how differently the differentl women talked of their lives. As always I simply love whatever book I am treasuring just now.
-
Steph wrote, "remembering when I read books is hard for me." I've gotten into the habit of as soon as a finish (or purposely don't finish) a book, I jot down in my computer's word file, a short summary and rating of it. I also keep a list of authors' books (and date read). Just so I won't accidently buy a duplicate, and I like to look back and see what I've read over the years.
I'm going to read some Daniel Silva's books and also Louise Penny this coming year. I didn't care much for the only Penny I read last year (Still Life), but everyone seems to like both these authors so much.
What book about poligamy did you like? It must have been about Mormans?
Marj
-
Marjifay - re Louise Penny, Still Life was, I think, her first, and it's not nearly as good as the others (I seem to recall there was far too much about types of arrows?). I've just read Bury Your Dead and it was brilliant - she really has come on and on as she's written more. I cannot wait for A Trick of the Light (the latest one) to be released here next year.
Rosemary
-
Thanks, Rosemary. I put Penny's Bury Your Dead on my read list. A Trick of the Light is available here, and has excellent reviews. (You're exactly right about her Still Life--that long boring lecture about bows and arrows put me to sleep) HOWEVER, AGINCOURT by Bernard Cornwell was such an exciting story of the use of bows and arrows in Henry V's fight to gain control over France that had I been a bit younger I'd have run out to try that sport.
Marj
-
Rosemary, I loved The Railway Children and I think I still have the video I taped of it several years ago.
Steph, I'm with you -- can't remember when I last read a book, but I do know that a few favorites this year were
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand ----- Helen Simonson
Still Alice -------- Lisa Genova
The Rembrandt Affair -- Daniel Silva
Clara and Mr Tiffany -- Susan Vreeland
We read The Bone People here several years ago, Marjifay, and it was not well-received.
My worst for this year --
Hunger Games -- Suzanne Collins
Room -- most folks have liked it, I didn't
Freedom -- Jonathan Franzen; I'm still slogging through it, only 17% more to go to find out if Joey becomes a decent person not. So many unlikeable characters.
DIL has just finished reading As Always, Julia for her f2f group. It's non-fiction, letters between Avis DeVoto and Julia Child. It sounds wonderful. I've asked my library to get it, but have asked Emily to hold on to her copy as well.
I'm really looking forward to Matthew Pearl's The Technolgists . It will be a gift for my son. He's an MIT graduate and the book is due to be released on Feb. 21, 2012, his 50th birthday
-
I saw the movie As Always, Julia and really enjoyed it.
-
Pedln, you sound a bit like my beloved MIL, who always buys everyone books she wants to read, and has now bought FIL a Kindle which she has used far more than he's been allowed to! ;D ;D My husband knows if she sends him a book he had better (a) get it read and (b) keep it in good condition. Mind you, I suppose I rarely buy anyone a book I don't like - although I have bought husband Dan Cruickshank's 'Bridges: Heroic Designs that Changed the World', and I somehow don't think I'll be rushing to read that one....
Rosemary
-
Was As,Always, Julia a movie?? Julie and Julia was.. It was excellent.
I loved Major Pettigrew and Still Alice. I read all the time , just dont remember the titles and dont think I rank them by year. One of the most fun of the year was my last Years Christmas book.. It was on what people eat on a given day.. with pictures and descriptions and calorie counts. IT was a lovely lovely coffee table size book. One of those you keep handy and dive into from time to time.
-
Three years ago I started keeping a written record of books I read in the current year. Year 1, I just listed the books, the month, and my rating of the book. Year 2, I added the author since I kept forgetting. Year 3 I've now found that I need to write a sentence or two about the content. I better stop there as soon it will be too much trouble to keep up my reading journal. At the end of the year, I list my favorite books of the year. I love that some of you are posting your favorites, and your worst. Gives me more books to put on my tbr list. My favorites so far this year:
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
The Silent Girl by Tess Gerritson
The Peach Keeper by Sarah Adddison Allen
The Butterfly's Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe
I haven't read any Silva books. Which one should I start with? Is Still Alice depressing? I've read about it, but it sounded depressing.
I didn't like Little Bee or Room either. I don't know if it has been my mood this year; but most of the books I read fell below average in my rating. Sally
-
Sally...
Here's a link to Daniel Silva's website where he (or someone who does his site) gives the chronological order and answers the question about the need to read in order...
http://www.danielsilvabooks.com/content/faq.asp
Rosemary...your husband's love of Bridges sounds like something my husband would enjoy. He's currently enthralled with The Heights: Anatomy of a Skyscraper by Kate Ascher. It's about how they build skyscrapers...how the plumbing works in different parts of the world and how things are changed for customs/rules in various countries. He thinks it's fascinating.
http://thesocietypages.org/graphicsociology/2011/10/25/efficiency-of-a-skyscraper-kate-ascher/
jane
-
No question about it, Ladies. It's a 'man' thing. ::)
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I admired Bill Buckley's wit, charm and intelligence, but not his politics. I have a book he and Brent Bozell (also deceased, the one you hear about these days is his son and namesake) wrote while they were at Yale together; signed by them. Brent married Buckley's sister Pat, and the Bozells lived in Kenwood in Bethesda, Maryland and had 8 red-headed kids when I knew him fairly well. Eons ago. Late fifties or early sixties.
I own Florence of Arabia and intend to read it. Some day.
Rosemary, I adored Five Children and It, and The Phoenix & The Carpet. I think I owned a movie of Five Children and It, and passed it on to a great grandchild.
I have read too much this year to try to sort it all out into a list. Besides, I am fighting a cold, sore throat, and laryngitis. Life is the pits just at the moment, thank you very much!
-
I hope you feel better soon, MaryPage. Hugs!
-
I downloaded several of Nesbit's books on my Kindle. They were free. I read Boxcar Children way back when, but downloaded it to read again.
Sally
-
Iwould love Anatomy of a Skyscraper. Sounds really interesting to me. I should keep a list, but I dont.. I journal, but never include what I am reading..Hmm. maybe I c ould though.
Daniel Silva.. I am not reading him in sequence, but you actually should. I originally got a later one, read it, loved it and went on a hunt to find more and I try to read them iin some order, but still have gaps in the early ones. I wish I knew why I liked Gabriel so much.. I just do..
-
I'm so glad to find others who like Daniel Silva.
I've read 9 of the 11 books in the Gabriel Allon series...but not the first one. It isn't in my local library branch so I have to reserve it...and I keep forgetting to do so.
I've just reserved the Diana Gabaldon book that was listed on this week's Best Seller list in the local paper. I really hope "The Scottish Prisoner" winds up the "Voyager" series - but I bet it won't.
-
The Bill Buckley book "Elvis in the Morning" has been interesting. Yes, there is some of the real E P's life, but the young boy who became his friend when he was in the army in Germany and began courting Priscella is now at the U of Michigan in 1964 and joining in the SDS protests. Interesting perspective coming from the conservative BB. I'm curious about how BB tells the story as it plays out.
Jean
-
I am reading Edith Wharton's Bunner Sisters. I like it a lot better than Undine, which I finished yesterday. This is probably the first Wharton I have read. Bunner Sisters was originally serialized in a magazine, the name of which I cannot remember.
-
Okay, I finished Bunner Sisters. The ending distressed me - job discrimination against experienced, but older workers.
-
I just started the Nineteenth Wife.. Very odd indeed. Telling two stories at once .. Both about polygamy.. Interesting thus far.
-
I play Magic Inlay and enjoy it a lot.
Haven't been around much lately has I have been enjoying poor health.
Was in the ER on Christmas so that was fun.
I am in the process of trying to buy a new car and can't make up my mind
about anything.
As an add on if you want to find fun games go to www.bigfishgames.com
I love thier top ten solitaire, lots of different kinds of Mar Jghon. I love the titanic games.
-
Big Fish has some neat find the object games. You keep going up levels with it..
Reading sort of a silly light book just now.. I loved, I lost, I made Spaghetti.. All about her husband hunt and her passion for cooking, lots of recipes, although she sounds very very foolish about men.
-
I love reading about search and rescue dogs. I just finished one by Nora Roberts called the Search a mystery. I've never read any of her books before. Now I'm reading "For Keeps" by Donna Ball lighter then the Roberts one.
Donna Ball owns and runs a kennel and does classes for search and rescue and training dogs for the handycapped. I've read 4 or 5 of her fiction books that are mysteries centered around search and rescue.
-
Checked my library, they have 3 Ball books all abt "Ladybug Farm" and historic conservation. I'll give them a try.
Just finished Laura Lippman's Charm City which is about Baltimore and greyhound rescue. It was a fun, easy read.
-
Speaking of William Buckley, CSpan's BookTV is showing a panel discussion this weekend on his book "God and Men at Yale." Dec. 31 at 8 am; Jan. 1, 6 am and 3 pm (all Eastern Time). There is a link at the BookTV website so you can watch it at your leisure.
Marj
-
The only book I've read by Edith Wharton, House of Mirth, was a DNF for me. It was interesting for awhile, but I got bored with it about half way thru' and never finished it.
Marj
-
House of Mirth doesn't sound interesting to me.
The Bunner Sisters is one 100 pages or so. I thought of it felt more like a longish short story. The word count is a little over 30,000 which puts it in the novella category. It isn't an "action" story. Mostly it is filled with "proper" attitude and etiquette, and self-sacrifice in a period of diminished prosperity. I can relate to the ending. Which reminds me, when I went into the local Manpower office to sign up for temp jobs, the only other people in there were two older men. I was told that they no longer do interviews unless you sign up online first.
PS: a little while back we were talking about the Durer engraving that inspired Undine. The most recent episode of Pawn Stars featured the engraving. I thought he was nuts to pay out $5,500 without getting it looked at, but he did well. It was most likely from the original plate, but a much later printing. It still was estimated to fetch over $20,000. Nice catch guys.
-
I never really liked Edith Wharton. If you like novels about manners, etc, you will like her however.
I read two books on search and rescue dogs.. Have to look at Donna Ball to see if that was who wrote them.
Yesterday in Barnes and Noble.. They devoted a whole set out bookcase to: James Patterson.. The man is now officially a category all to himself. I now honestly am sure that he doesnt write any of them.. He has found a nice racket however.
-
It is a marvel how sensitive animals can be to the people around them. Not
only dogs, but monkeys, ferrets, cats ... have alerted humans to dangers and illnesses or stayed beside them when ill or injured. When I'm not feeling well,
fat cat Nipper will come curl up beside me, lay a paw or nose gently on me and keep me sympathetic company.
-
Animals... Ah yes, when I was a young girl, I told my pony all my troubles and she wouldnicker and nuzzle me . I could lay flat all the way down her spine and feel sorry for myself and she would stay very very still and you would hear small sighs of sympathy..
-
That image made me smile, STEPH. I don't doubt for a second you had her
full and loving sympathy.
-
After reading just two chapters of James Patterson's newest Alex Cross mystery (Kill Alex Cross), I returned the book to the library. Dull, boring. Too bad as I have enjoyed his previous Alex Cross books. Guess he needed a better ghost writer on this one.
Marj
-
I've seen James Patterson in several t v commercials advertising "Kill Alex Cross". One of them has a girl who looks like a "Tween" reading it enthusiastically. My library does not have it listed as a Tween or Young Adult book. What's JP trying to do?
-
I liked "the Whispers" by Belva Plain very much. Interesting characters, interesting subject - family relationships, well written, except for some bad editing errors. Several times she used "let" when the word should have been "leave" or some form of leave. I was aware of it because i used to say "let it alone" for example, all the time, it's part of that central Pennsylvania speech which i've completely changed since moving to NJ. I understand her using it, but it should have been caught by an editor - if they have such things any more.
She also had forgotten her training in past participles, as a lot of television people seem to have done these days, "she had got" for example. Another mistake that an editor should have changed. I've seen that similar mistake in Newsweek magazine and heard it often on tv in the last ten years. My ninth grade English teacher must be turning over in her grave.
Someone else said you had picked up "The Whispers." do you like it?
Jean
-
I have read a few
Belva Plain over the years. Must try some current ones. Just now I have Queen Camilla as my car book.. Funny and weird. The royals live in a slummy housing estate, almost like criminals, and someone is after the corgis.. Oh me..
-
Maybe not, JEAN, esp. if the book is set in central Pennsylvania. I think
local dialect can tend to give characters a more distanct identification.
They are more real to me.
TV and Newsweek are a different matter, unless they were making a direct
quote. I still well remember my high school English teacher, Mrs. Mitchum,
when I've forgotten most others. She would also be most displeased.
-
but it should have been caught by an editor - if they have such things any more.
I've been wondering, Jean, considering the increasing number of errors that I have seen creeping into books these days. It's not just the editors, but also the proofreaders. Perhaps they are relying too much on computerized proofing programs and not making a second "eyeball" check. We all know spell checkers are good, but they don't catch everything. Years ago, I interviewed for a position at a book company. What they did was interesting. They had two different typists type in the same thing and then ran it through a program that compared the two to find errors. The premise was that two different typists were unlikely to make the same mistake. They were able to cut the typing errors by 99% that way.
This is not quite the same thing but when I worked at Rodale Institute, I remember someone telling me that when cutbacks need made one of the first to go are the "fact checkers". Those would be the editorial assistants and research assistants who try to verify information writers include in their articles and books. These tasks are most important for newspapers and magazines that, in their rush to be the first to present breaking news, sometimes skimp on.
-
Babi, i would agree about local dialect, it makes the characters very authentic, but "Whispers" is set in St Louis and NYC and the "husband" character is compulsive about "proper" everything, so i don't think it was deliberate. But i still enjoyed the book.
Jean
-
Yes, many books nowadays have a false ring..I think it has to do with local usage of slang and how you say things. There are many writers who love to write about places, they never have been. Romance writers are particularly bad about eras..
-
In that case, JEAN, I would definitely agree with you. If the author was going to have a very
'proper' character, she should have been careful to use proper language. "Whispers" sounds like
the title of a story about gossip/rumors and the harm they can do. What is the book about,
actually? I'm sure you probably explained that already, but I've forgotten if you did. (So many
posts, so many books. :-[ )
-
You are right on Babi about what the title Whispers means. The protagonist is a middle age woman - well, when is midl age today, she's early 40s, i guess. She is married to a charming, handsome man who is moving up the corporate ladder and is OC about having and being allthe proper accoutrements that go w/ that. However, he also is filled w/ rage that shows it's ugly face now and again. There are 2 dgts w/ all the angst that teenage dgts, or about to be teenage, bring to a family, one is overweight which annoys the father and he is not kind about telling her so. I won't say any more bcs i don't want to spoil the story for you. Plain is a good storyteller IMO.
I'm enjoying Ken Follett's Fall of Giants. I'm only 100 pages into the almost 1000 of the book. He starts w/ the Welsh families and the gap of living style btween the coal miners and the owners of the mines. One of them has now gone to Russia, so i guess i'm going to meet the Russian family in the next pages. It starts in 1913. This is the first in a trilogy of several families in the 20th century.
Well, w/ 900+ pages, i have a long time to be enjoying just this first book of the three. Maybe the second one will be out by the time i finish this one. LOL
Jean
-
I don't believe that "Perfect English" is the thing anymore. You can catch many mistakes when listening to the TV. Reading News. Lots of places.
I think some writers do know that it is wrong when writing it but I think that they are thinking of the person speaking as to if or not they would use the correct word. I know myself I was good in English in school and when still living in UK. Lost a lot of it having being years in US.
Your mention the word "Let" above. Always my grandmother, mother and most of us Lancashire people always used the term. "Now let it be" " Leave it be"
would have come along later I believe. Leave it alone would be the correct way now I believe. "Leave it be" still sounds Old English.
English teaching has now been taken out of our Illinois schools now. Lessons more as a Second language for students learning.
-
English teaching has now been taken out of our Illinois schools now. Lessons more as a Second language for students learning.
Posted on: January 03, 2012, 12:13:46
Posted by:
That does not bode well, JeanneP. Are they encouraging illiteracy? What is their rationale?
-
I was just at the espn site to get the time for the bowl game tonight and saw the headlines on an article about "finger food" and the games...titled Just Deserts
Really? Must be very dry finger food, huh??? Maybe gives new meaning to sandwiches!! ::)
-
I think that the teaching of good language skills (grammar), written & spoken, are more a reflection of the individual school districts than a sign of the times. Neither of my daughters received good English instruction in our school system, but my grand children are receiving excellent reading/literature, language (grammar), and math skills in their district. In fact my girls now understand why I was upset with their education as they see what their children are getting and what they missed. My grandson in college (who went to the same district the younger grandchildren are in) noticed quickly as a freshman the difference between the instruction he received in high school and some of his college classmates, especially in writing skills.
Another of my soap box issues.
Happy New Year.
Mary
-
What!?! No English classes!?! Companies are crying for people who can write properly, i can't imagine a whole state saying "no English!" yes, i do know that "i" should be capitalized ::) ;D,. I'm on the ipad and don't have a real keyboard, so i'm one-fingering it and it's faster to not have to capitalize the "i". LOL
Jane - good joke about the deserts.
Jean
-
I have always been proud of my hand writing. Lots of people still admire it . However that is another thing that has now been taken out of schools. Some children have such awful penmenship already.
I think that they are giving to much credit to everything being done on computers and and such things. Such a shame. Old way should still be taught on certain things.
-
We have a TV channel here that can be regarded as International, I guess. It is SBS. The program I watched last evening is called "Global Village" and has short (approximately 15 minute) stories about customs, events etc. in different parts of the world. The program last evening was about workers in Cuba who "refine" tobacco leaves down until they can be shaped into cigars. The factories actually employ "readers", mostly women, who read out loud to the workers as they do their tasks. The sessions last 45 minutes - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The items they read are frequently from newspapers, psychology journals, poetry, and all manner of reading material. The workers love the reading as the majority of them were never taught to read and write. Very far-sighted of the Cuban authorities, even though there is a certain amount of propaganda in the readings.
The discussion about not teaching "proper English" in schools is of particular interest to me. When I was at school my subjects revolved around Home Economics which I loathed. I wanted to do Languages but was not allowed. How ironic that when I could choose my subjects at University that they were all language related. I suffered when learning both Ancient and Modern Greek because I had not studied any grammar at all at high school. I didn't know what a preposition or a conjunction was, and I certainly didn't know what Aorist, Past Perfect or Pluperfect meant. Neither did I know what Subject Verb Object meant, or passive voice and so on. I learned the hard way, you could say. I had no idea that I would ever be a language teacher, but I became one.
Even then jobs as English teachers (lierature that is) were not as in demand as they had been. It was Science and Maths teachers that the schools wanted. Now it is IT. The schools tend to follow trends, so let us just hope that more literacy studies are done. I am quite cynical about this though, because literacy continues to be spoken about in hushed tones, but no one ever commits to having literacy as a subject. It is as if the education boards don't want to admit that it IS a problem. Makes me cross.
Stepping down for now... ;)
-
I just have visions of civilization allowing itself to collapse into another Dark Age at some future point.
I hope I am awake for the meteor shower. I hear it will not be a very long one this year. Right Now the moon is almost full and one of the planets is shining brightly not too far away.
-
Cigars and readers. For some reason there has always been a tradtiion of reading while the men make and handroll cigars. The employees actually used to contribute a small amount of money each week and they had a reader every day, but the reader read the entire newspaper and then books.. They did it in Cuba and then when the cigar trade moved to Tampa in Ybor City, they did it there. No idea if they did in Miami as well.. So the custom is old and fast dying out. Not many handrolled cigars made in the US
-
With the Beatles singing soulfully "speaking words of wisdom; 'let it be", I would think that is fully accepted and used now.
This sounds a bit odd, CUBFAN, but by the time I was in high school I had
learned that a teacher with a reputation for being 'tough' was the one I
wanted. You learned something under those teachers. I had reason to be glad
for that as time went on.
If our civilization does crash again, FRYBABE, it may well be when the
computers/machines all crash and we find it necessary to start doing our math, communicating, getting about and generally functioning without them. Too many of us would be totally helpless.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
One of my kids had an English teacher who told her the phrase "The little village lays in the valley" was correct. My question is "Lays what???" I think the distinction between lie and lay is rapidly being lost to our society.
-
Roshanarose - i was at senior school in the 1970s and I (along with the rest of the class) suffered 5 years of verbal (and sometimes physical) abuse at the hands of the ancient Latin teacher because none of us knew anything about parts of speech, verbs, etc - we had a lovely English teacher but the syllabus did not include grammar. I can see now how frustrating it must have been for that Latin teacher, to be faced by a class of so-called intelligent girls (only the top French set were allowed to take Latin) who had no idea what conjugate meant. I don't think this quite justified her screaming incessantly and hurling blackboard rubbers at us, but I do think everyone would have been a lot happier if we had been taught basic grammar beforehand. Like you, I learned the hard way, and I am so grateful that I did learn - apart from the pure pleasure of knowing what is right and what is wrong, grammar is so useful in learning other languages, doing crosswords, etc.
Rosemary
-
On another topic, anyone here "like" short stories? I don't like them, as a rule but very recently loaded a Short Story collection on my Kindle as a "free book". By an assortment of authors, and predominantly stories of some of the eccentricities of the American "South", this has been a super-enjoyable read for me. The title is: Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes, which is also the first story in the collection. The writing is excellent (IMHO). I will check with Amazon to see who the authors are, and let you all know later.
-
Tomereader - I have just read it, and the reason I did so is that it was free on Kindle - I also don't usually enjoy short stories, and only read these because they were recommended on a books blog that I follow. I really enjoyed them - it seemed to me that for once they were real stories with plots and not just meandering observations that don't go anywhere. And I loved all the details about Southern life.
Rosemary
-
thanks for the tipoff, Tomereader. I just downloaded that title, to have on hand.
Re: English. It seems it's called lots of things nowadays. Language Arts, Communication Arts, and so forth. I asked my daughter if my HS freshman grandson was in AP or Advanced English and she said the English teachers didn't want AP English because they thought it was too easy. I know it's no longer politically correct to "track" students, but I think they still need to do it for English, otherwise there is such a wide range of abilities. The kids seems to track themselves when it comes to math and science.
-
One of my quandries when teaching college thru the 90s and 2000s was students - from different high schools - who wrote w/ no paragraphing. They just wrote straight thru their answers in the essay questions! They must have done it in their high school essays, how could it not be corrected? Of course, i'm assuming that somewhere in high schl they had to write essays, which may be a HUGE assumption.
??? ???
-
Speaking of essays, Jean, if the students get English and practice in writing, how are they expected to write the essays many scholarship, grant programs and college entrance exams require? I used to love reading essays, if not write them when I was in school. I also read many more short stories then than I do now.
-
FryBabe, did you see the meteors? My husband got up in the middle of the night to watch for awhile. It was cold, so he didn't stay up long. Then he slept like a baby, but I was awake.
I love short stories, especially mysteries. They are good reading in bed, because they don't take too long and I can usually stay awake until finished. I think it takes skill to write a good short story.
-
No I didn't nlhome. I looked out the window a few times around the time I thought they were supposed to be whizzing by, but saw nothing. I wasn't about to go out in the cold. There isn't much good stargazing where I am now because of the lights and the moon was out. I expect to see some photos/videos uploaded to spaceweather.com, but haven't looked yet.
-
My husband saw two, plus a jet. Then he and the dog came in. I should have gone out too, for as much sleep as I got after. He saw a bit on the news tonight.
-
I believe English should be taught in schools. I certainly cherish the classical English language as, for instance, Winston Churchill, Noel Coward, Oscar Wilde, and George Bernard Shaw wrote and spoke it. Oh, and our own wonderful William Allen White, among others.
That being said, you know and I know and we all know that this language, precisely as is the case with ALL others, has evolved over the centuries and will continue to do so. Or, more properly, so to do.
If we could sneak back in say, two hundred years, we might no more recognize our own language than we easily read Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. That's just the way the cookie crumbles and, much as we may deplore it, what IS going to be the case!
-
I agree totally re more English grammar in schools. You are right Rosemary, learning English grammar when you are studying languages that are no longer spoken, as is the case with Latin and Ancient Greek , is definitely one of the biggest challenges I have ever faced. But now when I attempt to speak Greek I find that the problem of pronunciation is the most difficult for me, and spelling, as MG has several letters, or combinations of letters, that are pronounced the same. People ask me how difficult it was to master the alphabet. It was a doddle compared to grammar, spelling and pronunciation ???
When I taught my last Modern Greek class to U3A students, two of them had only studied Ancient Greek, the others French and Italian. The two used to drive me up the wall because they never added the acute accents that every word but one or two Modern Greek has, in their written work. Not surprisingly they had problems speaking MG as well. Then I learned by reading something about Ancient Greek online that indeed AG when written (always by the elite - either in the Doric or Attic dialect) did NOT have accents until the period when Alexander the Great started spreading Greek all over Asia. Also in Greece today most ancient inscriptions don't put spaces between the words and they are all written in Capitals. Then the learned ones decided at the beginning of the Hellenic period that they would start using accents so people who were not Greek could speak and pronounce it properly. Hence Koine, New Testament Greek, eventually came into being. MG is a direct descendant of Koine - they are very similar.
I would say that all those Older or Ancient forms of Greek continue in some way today in Modern Greek, predominantly in vocabulary, and verbs. This is not the case with Latin, which is not spoken as such anymore, only perhaps at Academics' cocktail parties and Latin classes. My favourite subject is languages ..... obviously.
-
TomeReader - You may enjoy Katherine Mansfield's short stories. They are almost surreal.
I love her attention to detail. Everything "lives" in Mansfield's eyes.
I found one for you if you would care to take a look. It is called "Bliss". "Garden Party" is good too.
www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/Blis.shtml
-
Having owned several retail store, I can guarantee that the current day clerks cannot subtract. They totally depend on the register and never ever count up, no matter my threats..Sigh.
I am feeling nostalgic..Rooted around in my bookshelves, came up with Cashelmara .. Oh boy, I bet I have read it a half dozen times. I love how she told the story of several kings, but made them ordinary people..
-
grammar is so useful in learning other languages
Rosemary
I learned the truth of that when I studied Spanish, ROSEMARY. I did just
fine on vocabulary, and I did have some of the basics of grammar. The fine
points I had not learned, tho', and it definitely made a difference.
I do hope the 'details' about Southern life were reasonably correct.
But then, you'd be surprised how many true stories from Texas are assumed to be 'tall tales'. Years ago they used to put out a small book with all the
Texas legends, and very helpfully made a distinction for the reader by using
italics to distinguish the facts from the fiction.
-
Babi, these stories do not really deal with "fact". They may be entirely factual, with the fictional woven in, and the word I guess I should have used would be "idiosyncrasies" of Southern life/people. We all have stories about "old Aunt Lulu" or "crazy Granny Belle". Whether or not the stories were factual, or the details were correct, I found the stories to be fun, easy reading and totally enjoyable!
-
I agree with Mabel. When I tought college, I was surprised at the poor quality of the English of many of the students. And these were not students from poor backgrounds.
When I was a kid, we did endless diagramming of sentances. That not only tought me much grammar, but since I had to analyze the sentance to see the relationship of all the words to each other, it tought me logic as well.
-
Joan, my son went to (state) school in the most affluent area of Aberdeen - his written English was and remains atrocious, and whenever I tried to correct it he told me that the teachers said it didn't matter, as they were looking for facts, not marking his grammar/spelling, etc. He got a B in Higher English (a lot of his friends failed it - B is pretty good) which to me says either that he was hiding his light under a bushel (unlikely!) or that the standard is unbelievably low. Depressing.
It's not all gloom, however, as elder daughter is at music school in Edinburgh and the standard of everything there is high - her English teacher comes from the same mould as us, and there is no messing about with anything 'not mattering'.
Rosemary
-
One of my cousins was an english teacher in middle school. She believed in diagramming and used it all the time. She is now retired and ran for and is on the school board and campaigns for stricter standards all the time.
Does James Patterson plan on making himself into some sort of factory. Publishing and promoting on TV.. Good heavens, has the man no dignity at all.
-
I think we all enjoy hearing or reading about the idiosyncrasies of regional
groups. We drawling Texans find the 'ayup' of New England priceless. The
Southern belles would gather in their classroom dorms just to listen to the
gal from New Joisey talk. She could say anything...just keep talking! A
Georgia man married a sister of my ex., lived thirty years in New York State,
and you could still cut his Georgia accent with a knife....to use a Southern
expression. And heaven knows we've found regional recipes..and variations
thereof...most interesting posting on sites here.
STEPH, from the day they began allowing lawyers to advertise, and they began pontificating earnestly or oilily (is that a word) on TV, I abandoned all illusions as to dignity in professional promotions.
-
from Steph: Does James Patterson plan on making himself into some sort of factory
Steph...a think a number of writers have become "writer factories" or a corporate author name wherein a lot of what I formerly thought of as "ghost writers" are submitting manuscripts which come out under the corporate/brand name author name. I believe he's the one I've heard says he gives an outline of an idea to others who then do the actual writing. Somehow, even I could come with an "idea" or outline for a book...it's the writing the thing that's the hard task, I think.
I've read that Nora Roberts wrote 100 novels in 18 years...1979-1996 and had 4 on the best seller list in 1999 and 2000. WHEW! She supposedly has said she writes 8 hours a day, every day, even on vacation. [Wikipedia is the source here for me] How anyone can write that much every day and under different pseuds and on such widely different topics boggles my mind and leaves me--well, sceptical. She, however, is not the only writer I wonder about.
-
"Does James Patterson plan on making himself into some sort of factory. Publishing and promoting on TV.. Good heavens, has the man no dignity at all."
I don't think dignity is what he thinks about. It's boucoup money he likes.
Maj
-
Well, I, for one, quit reading Mr. Patterson about the time of his first foray into the "dual author" category. His book before that one was, to me, a real dud, and I gave the dual author thing one chance. Needless to say, I was not impressed. I really like the Alex Cross series until Patterson went off the rails. I would not "buy" one of his books, and don't even check them out at the library anymore. In fact, in going to my library book sales, there are probably twice as many of his "mysteries" there for sale as for anyone else. The newer titles too.
they could probably do a whole table with just his stuff.
-
I made the mistake of reading a couple of his duel author books and didn't like them. I soon realized he wasn't writing them at all.
I agree I liked the Alex Cross books but haven't read the last couple of those either.
-
Like the above posters, I really liked the Alex Cross novels but gave up reading Patterson some time back. It was a crazy book about children with bird genes who could fly like angels that broke the camel's back. I can like science fiction, but let's be honest about what it is.
Speaking of science fiction and future societies, has anybody else read The gate to women's country by Sherri Tepper? That has a really cute unexpected ending.
-
I'm about 300 pages into Ken Follett's new trilogy of the twentieth century, it's almost 1000 pages, and it's pretty interesting. (is using "pretty" in that way a colloqualism- is that spelled correctly? Haven't used the word in a long time.) he does a good job of weaving together the various families of sev'l nationalities. Archduke Ferdinand has been killed and the countries are deciding what their responses will be. Altho the times were very patriarchal, he has deftly included women characters at many levels of society, and they are interesting ones.
Jean
-
My f2f group met yesterday to discuss Helen Simonson's Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. Yours truly was discussion leader and brought a lot of material from the SeniorLearn discussion of last May. I think the f2f group was really impressed that the book took Simonson five years to write, and that the novel evolved from a short story written for her writing class, followed up with several additional short stories about the Major, which were shared with the class. I don't see one a year coming from her.
-
Has anyone read or reading Haruki Murakami's 1Q84. Hopefully I can come up for air before the month is over - golly it has been years since a read a book with over 900 pages but he is such a wonderful author - there are two others, no three others I want to read - I have but have not started, The Prague Cemetery - Umberto Eco and I want to get a copy of the Tiger's Wife that when I first saw it I didn't think it had legs and finally, I have had on my list since it was published but other books came first, The Tragedy of Arthur - sounds like a mix of fantasy, fun, history and a grandiose mind.
-
I love Sheri Tepper and have read "The gate to Womens Country" Wonderful book.
I used to love Alex Cross, but the vampire take he did years ago on that series made me stop reading him.. I just marvel at the people that buy him..Oh well.
Nora Roberts. Since I love the J.D. Robb, but dont read her romance stuff, I do wonder, but from when I had the store, I would read some of her romance things to keep up with my readers. The answer for her is that I think ghost writers are there somewhere, because even the writing style and vocabulary are quite different.. I know she wants you not to believe, but I also know I met her at a convention years ago and I will guarantee that her pictures and her real person are really different.
-
I don't understand the reason for authors writing under different names. Whats the reason for it? I've never read Nora Roberts before and only read "the Search" because it was about search and rescue dogs. Infact I didn't even know she and J.D. Robb were one and the same.
-
JANE, I couldn't help but think that if Nora Roberts actually wrote 8 hours
a day, EVERY day, she didn't have much of a life. I find myself envisioning
a stooped hermit. ::)
JEAN, 'pretty' beats 'cute' any time in my lexicon. Wouldn't fit in your
sentence, of course, but do get tired of hearing so many things described as
'cute'. Babies and puppies are cute...that's about as far as I'll allow. If
a living room decor is 'cute', I wouldn't be able to stand it!
To me, 'pretty' interesting is a 'well, maybe, maybe not'. :-\
From all the comments on Seniorlearn, I suspect Mr. Patterson's popularity
is waning fast. He may soon find himself without enough readers to be worth
publishing.
JERIRON, the first time I came across the 'different name' for a
popular author, I wondered if perhaps the author wanted to see if his/her books would sell if they didn't carry an already well-known name. It also
occurred to me that a reader might pick up a particular author with certain
expectations, and be annoyed or disappointed to find it was quite different.
-
From all the comments on Seniorlearn, I suspect Mr. Patterson's popularity
is waning fast.
I agree, Babi. I suspect his cameos on Castle and his current venture into advertising his books is an attempt to boost readership/sales.
-
Jeriron, sometimes when an author changes names it has something to do with publishing. I don't know if it's because they want to go with a different publisher, or if because the current publisher requests it.
-
Pedln, I just read yesterday, don't remember exactly where, that publishers will sometimes suggest that a writer use another name. It had something to do an author getting poor reviews/sales with a few books. If the writer goes with a pen name, and I assume a new set of characters in the case of series, she/he sometimes enjoys better sales. One popular writer mentioned in the article complained that everyone knew and bought books under his pen name, but fairly neglected works under his own name.
I wonder if some authors use two or three pen names to separate out their works in different genre. For instance, Sheila Kelly writes under S.L.Viehl for her science Fiction, for Christian fiction she uses Rebecca Hall and for romantic fiction she uses three different names: Lynn Viehl, Gena Hale, and Jessica Hall. I have no idea why three different names for the romances, but it appears that Gena Hale and Jessica Hall are older pen names. Her current offerings under Lynn Viehl look like they might be supernatural romantic fiction.
-
Greetings -
Some additional thoughts.
I think that some authors use different names for different types of books because they feel that readers expect a certain type of writing & if they write a different type of book they won't be picked up and read by a different set of readers. Nora Roberts is thought of as a romance writer & for her name to show up as a mystery/detective writer she might have been dismissed those readers.
I know that was the rationale of of Mary Norton, writer of children fantasy books, who used a different name for her science fiction titles. Dr. Seuss used LeSieg for his easy to read books to get around people who objected to his picture books. It worked for a while.
Also some changes are made because of gender - especially science fiction and detective book. Whereas generally women will read any author, men still shy away from women authors. If authors want science fiction/detective titles etc to be purchased and read by men they need to have a male appearing name.
Book sales are the underlining motivation.
Mary
-
Yes, authors use different names to indicate different types of books.. What surprised me one time is that one of the cozy mystery writers with a female pen name is a man and his little entry indicated he writes under six different names, all in romance, so obviously it is felt that women write romance.
I was talking to a woman in the library the other day. I was filling up our little shelf area with the for sale books for Friends.. She was looking at the books. She allowed as to how much she loved James Patterson and reads all of his because she feels he is reliable.. Whew.. a different take from me..
-
Ah, that last point hadn't occurred to me, MARY. I imagine a good many men
would assume a woman writer couldn't write a really good detective/action/
science fiction book. I suppose it's equally unfair for us women to assume
a man couldn't write a good romance book. Too much sex and not enough
romance, right? ;)
-
More than the type of book that we assume is easier for men versus women it is the skill to have a character of the other sex convincingly speak so the character is not only believable but the author can imagine a story where the opposite sex is driving what happens next. It has to be that a successful author that can write characters of the opposite sex are more than mimics - they would have to have a good appreciation for the thinking behind the action they are writing about. I think that is an astonishing skill - I wonder if it is a gift or if you can learn to do that.
-
There is an article about Sophie Kinsella in my writers' magazine this month. She wrote all those Shopaholic books (which I haven't read but they are successful) but she also writes different books under the name of Madeleine Wickham. She said the reason she has two names is that her publisher said people expected a certain type of book from Madeleine Wickham, and the Shopaholic books were not that type.
It's a bit depressing to think of someone just reading James Patterson because he's 'reliable' - but I think many people do that, and I know I have a bit of a tendency to do it myself. That's one of the reasons this group is so good - if one of you recommends a book I will try it almost despite myself, whereas if I just saw it on the library shelf I probably wouldn't.
Rosemary
-
I have chosen to read - even to buy - several books because they were recommended in this discussion. Some of them I would never have pulled off the shelves otherwise. It is good to have a little advance knowledge before starting to read a book.
I have recently read the Kate Shugak books from the beginning, and it has been a good experience. I was surprised that the newest one is greatly in need of at least proof-reading. The names of the characters are mixed up in at least one passage, and there is a reference to "at least three months" in a car pursuit when she obviously meant "at least three blocks." Makes you wonder if the writer was perhaps inebriated or at least bored by her subject.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Ursa - I have just read the first one (free on Kindle) - the only other one I have read is The Singing of the Dead. I very much enjoyed this first one - when I read The Singing of the Dead I was very confused by all the terminology.
It's a shame if the latest one hasn't been proof-read. I do think publishers are getting very sloppy. I know just from the experience of writing my short story for my OU course that you, as the writer, can proof read until your eyes are almost falling out and you still miss things that are blindingly obvious to other people, so it may not be Dana Stabenow's fault. Also I wonder if she has been put under a lot of pressure to churn out more and more?
Rosemary
-
I know just from the experience of writing my short story for my OU course that you, as the writer, can proof read until your eyes are almost falling out and you still miss things that are blindingly obvious to other people, so it may not be Dana Stabenow's fault.
That is probably the primary reason one of my English teachers impressed upon the class (and I never forgot it). Never proof your own work. Perhaps the publishing companies are cutting back on their editors and proofreaders as a cost effective measure. At any rate, don't they usually hand out galley proofs to several people to go over before the final is ready to print? Did they drop this trying to push out more titles, or are the proofers just that bad anymore? Maybe they are relying too much a good old spell checker program which, as good as they are, do not catch everything. It still takes a good human eye. A mistake getting through is inevitable, but the number and kind of mistakes getting through these days is bordering on unacceptable.
-
I think there's no such thing as a proofreader any more. The publishers depend on spellchecker and grammarchecker, which has no impact whatsoever on content. I've noticed it a lot. Very annoying.
-
Ursa...I find more and more errors in well-known authors, and it drives me a bit nuts. In one, the engagement ring was put on her right hand. Really? What was the author thinking?
I've also seen where characters names are mixed up or a character has one name in most of the book and then suddenly another name appears. I wonder if publishers have dropped the proof reading that apparently used to exist?
jane
-
I wonder also if proofreading isn't suffering from the need to do everything so quickly. I have done various types of proofreading and have found that for me several elements are important: quiet, time to take my time, no interruptions.
I also know that I have to have a hard copy to look at. For me proofreading on a computer screen is ineffective. I think a lot of proofreading is now done looking at a screen and I don't think the eye sees details on a computer screen.
Reading the information out loud also helps because you hear the mistakes & it slows down the reading.
Mary
-
ROSEMARY: I think it was GINNIE who put me on to the Shopaholic books, and I am addicted. They are sooo funny. (Of course I can feel semi-superior, since I am tight with my money. Semi, because when it comes to books, I am a complete shopaholic!! But it doesn't seem to mmatter: all my friends, who are at various places on the shopping spectrum, love them. And she laughs at us penny-pinchers, too).
-
I also know that I have to have a hard copy to look at. For me proofreading on a computer screen is ineffective. I think a lot of proofreading is now done looking at a screen and I don't think the eye sees details on a computer screen.
Cubfan, you are on to something there. A few years back, when George was doing his PhD work, I commented to him that I noticed that I read differently from the screen than from hard print. I couldn't read very long passages straight through; my eyes wanted to bounce around more. (I thought it has something to do with the ads and other page distractions.) He was doing research in the area of computers, reading, and how the brain interprets what it sees. He confirmed that people do indeed read differently from a computer screen. Later, while working at Fry, I was in conversation with one of the loggers about reading. She, it turned out, is dyslexic. The computer screen actually helps her read better.
-
I print out documents after proofing them on the screen, because I, too, read differently on the computer screen than on paper. Errors seem to stand out more on paper.
-
That's interesting. I've found the same thing.
-
I keep a running list of books mentioned here, that look interesting. Some I love, others not so much.
Kate Shugak.. I love Kate..She has chaned so much since the beginning of the series, now they did a backstory on Jim.. This last paperback is complex. Three different villains.. Whew..
-
I hate to think of all the great books I would have missted if posters here
had not brought them to my attention. This is where I keep up with what the
rest of the world is doing, saying and reading. All viewpoints cheerfully
acknowledged and cheerfully rebutted..
I think it is a combination of those things, FRYBABE. I believe there have
been cost-cutting measures in the ranks of the proofreaders, but correcting
the errors before printing is also costly. More and more some publishers seem
to decide the minor errors aren't worth the cost. Surely someone should
have caught the one Ursa mentioned, about printing 'months' where 'blocks'
would have been needed.
-
More and more some publishers seem to decide the minor errors aren't worth the cost.
That is so true Babi. If often depends on where in the process the error is found. Sometimes it is a matter of being caught too close when it is scheduled on press for someone to get back into work and correct, assuming it isn't something they want us to correct; other times it is actually caught on press. Press down time is costly, replating is costly, and of course, if we did the correction, they get charged for that too. Just the replating costs along can be hefty. For example, say you have a four color plate. The customer is charged for each plate, not each page. Depending on the page size, the cost for just one page can be $300 or more. If the error requires changes to more than one page than it really gets horrendous. This time of the year proofers have to be especially careful about checking the dates. We've had pages numbered incorrectly, too.
-
All of a sudden something hit me - I wonder if we are expecting perfection from something that is based in creativity - what I am thinking of is how often we are told and shown the many errors in the hand copied books copied by scribes and monks long before the printing press.
I do know that email is often creative reading - some write with no capitols, truncated words, no decent punctuation - and since it is harder to read long paragraphs on a screen paragraphs are also truncated for easier reading rather than, because of logical discourse. Even here in our posts I often truncate a paragraph to make it easier to read.
Sure, out and out errors are a pain but then maybe the deal is to smile and think as if reading the work of a tired monk copying by candle with a meager fire for warmth and missing some lines or words...at least a printed story isn't adjusted by some over ambitious monk who decided to add a parable or two in the margin or along the edge that then gets carried along for the millennium.
-
I think automation is what killed proofreading. Proofreading was my summer job when I was in college. THe Racine Journal Times had four full-time proofreaders and I was the "sub" while they each took vacations in turn. Of course they had type-setters back then. We read news stories singly, but always two persons together read the ads, definitely for the classifieds and I think most of the other larger ads too.
-
pedln - you remind me - lordy - years ago - back in the 80s when news ads were the means of letting many folks know about an Open House or new listing I had an ad that the owners wanted me to please make sure their dogs were left safely in the yard since they were not to be home and so there was a quip at the bottom of the ad that said - please keep backdoor locked pets in yard. - problem - the Sunday paper had written - please keep backdoor locked people in yard.
ahum - hobos - squatters - hippies - sunbathers - campers - hehehehe - of course it was the fun attention getter and opening exchange for anyone visiting the Open House that day who read the ad - thank goodness it was not serious.
-
As a genealogist, I know that the handcopied data is complicated by the mistakes.. Often it is a translation fault, but not always.
-
For a while I was a proofreader of technical manuals for an aviation plant
in California, PEDLN. We had the same procedure for most of the checking,
two checkers, one reading the original aloud while the other checked the
copy. It worked well, but it did require one to remain alert.
-
I am reading THE HIDDEN CHILD by Camilla Lackberg, and finding, as always these days, lots of proof reading errors. I pass these books on, some to a daughter and some to a granddaughter. Granddaughter Paige will get this one. I write and point out and correct the errors right in the book!
For instance, on page 83 of this paperback a sentence starts with a man being present in the room and looking at someone, and hey, that man IS NOT THERE! The story line specifically has him SOMEWHERE ELSE at the time!
Drives me nuts!
And they are constantly changing the color of a person's eyes or hair or their height or age in their hasty writing (not this writer, thank heavens!), and I remember these details and go back and find where they assigned them a different attribute. Again, maddening!
-
I agree, MaryPage. It's not creativity; it's pure sloppiness in writing/editing. I've seen writers use a character's name as Tyler through 10 chapters, and then suddenly somewhere in chapter 11, he becomes Taylor. Sloppy/lazy editing/proofing, I think.
Too many seem to rely on spell check and/or don't know the differences among they're/their/there; hear/here; to/too/two; bring/take, etc. Drives me nuts, too!
This is not casual writing as we do here. This is writing as a profession and for financial gain. It should meet a higher standard.
-
This is not casual writing as we do here.
This is the most literate board I have ever experienced.
-
I agree!
-
I started reading Evanovich's Explosive Eighteen and have been laughing outloud everytime i pick it up. Evanovich seems to be coming to the point of resolving the Morelli/Ranger dilemma. Maybe there are only going to be 20 books. I see she's got another non- Stephanie book out. There's a lot of slapstick comedy in this one. You just have to suspend reality, and that's fine w/ me. I need some reality-suspension right now. I'm thoroughly enjoying it in the way i enjoyed the first one.
With the movie One for the Money coming out - it's about 6 months late, or more, that worries me - i've been thinking about the actors playing the parts. I realized that Flip Wilson's "Gearldine" has been the character i've had in mind when hearing and seeing Lulu. LOL Yes, a truly fictional, reality suspended character. I'm curious to see Heigl as Stephanie, i can't put her in the role in my mind.
Have any of you seen it?
Jean
-
My late sister in law was a retired school teacher. Our small town newspaper has many, many errors in it and she would take her red pencil to it and mail it to the editor. She never got a response and the errors kept occuring. I guess they just didn't care. Some of her favorites were headlines: Voters Go to the Poles, Hospital Gets New Z-Ray Machine, Local Angles Get Wings and on the wedding announcement page when it referred to the new bird and her groom. Wasn't there a story on tv about 2 brothers who went around correcting all the signs that were printed incorrectly? I kind of like that idea.
Sally
-
The misspelling that sent my home town into a titter was in the local paper. The notice proudly proclaimed:
"Brassiere Bistro Now Open at the New
England Hotel"
-
My sons got very upset, because my husband corrected the grammar and punctuation on the notes and other papers sent home by the school. As he said, this is their business, they should get it right.
Evanovich seems to have a new seires with Diesel?? The one I read was centered in New England in Salem, Ma. Fun but really out there.
Geraldine..oh you are so right. That is Lula.. Shows our age.
-
I have to do a lot of reality-suspension in some of the movies we watch.
My daughters get a bit tired of my crying out, "Ah, come on!!" or "No way!"
I really don't know Heigl at all. I checked her career, and it's surprising
how I've managed to miss 99% of her movies.
SALLY, I wonder if the editor left in the errors, because readers loved to
buy the paper and make the corrections. Some of them were so funny, he
may have done it deliberately. ;D
-
FryBabe - can you explain to me why there is often a statement about the "type" used in a book? I never could figure out the reason or the value of their doing that.
Jean
-
Jean, I really don't know the answer to that. I like to know what they are using when I see something not quite ordinary, but that is just me. I don't think too many people notice subtle differences in type such as Times, Times Roman or Times Ten Roman, or care. Why a publishing house would feel the need to include it in their frontmatter, I couldn't say. The people most interested in knowing would be other publishers, design houses, typographers, perhaps advertising agencies, and probably a few more I can't think of. What we readers want most it is a type that is very readable without giving us eyestrain. Times Roman is (or was) the most used typeface because it is easy on the eyes. I think Arial takes the prize for ease of online reading.
Note of interest: There must be thousands of typefaces, many of which are proprietary. The printer or publisher must buy what is essentially a license to be able to use them. Many of the typefaces look almost like twins but for maybe a very tiny variation. Some companies, Coca Cola for instance, pay type designers to come up with a special font just for their logo and brand advertising. They become part of the trademark, and/or are listed as a design patent. This gives the company some legal protection from anyone else using that particular typeface. Type designs apparently cannot be copyrighted except in very limited circumstances, like being an integral part of a piece of software.
-
I am wondering if type is not so much what digital image setters’ font choice but rather, a means of printing –
Back in the 70s, I was into block printing, silkscreen printing and just starting to learn lithography and learned there were all sorts of ways a book or paper can be printed. That it is only since the 1990s we have fewer printing types and still many an art book, poetry book and other special books are printed using various ways of Type – Some of the types I know about are the process of offset lithography, phototype, flexographic, rotary letterpress, wood type or art books done with punchcutting or linotype or monotype. Today we know about laser, inkjet, digital. Another part of type would be if the fonts are from FontHaus in Berlin or Fontworks in UK or Corbis in USA.
I wonder if it is included in a book because some printing processes are more expensive and some of the processes use inks that are closer to reality when dry, some are able to get finer lines, and the matrix is finer so that the printed outcome is closer to the work of an artist. Seems to me offset printing uses a four color process therefore, the halftones and lettering with feet are picked up as compared to letter press with only one color at a time.
I would think how a book is printed would have an affect on price and desirability and maybe – again I am not for sure since I was into printing as an art form not to produce posters or books but the older books may have had more variety in how they were printed and a book using languages with various accents, cedilla and diacriticals those marks would be picked up better using certain types of printing.
-
I have thought it was simply a mandate that they must tell you if they use a special type of print..
Yesterday got way too busy.. Then I realized I had actually forgotten a lunch on Monday. Hmm.. and I am usually well organized. I think this commode thing is getting me down. Have decided to go ahead and buy a new one and have it installed.. even though I resent having to buy a new commode at 7 years into the house..
I did not even read anything, but the AARP magazine, which had a good article on Meredith Viera and husband. That is one brave couple.
-
I have thought it was simply a mandate that they must tell you if they use a special type of print..
I don't think so, Steph. At least, I've never run across anything stating that requirement. I just think somewhere along the line someone decided it would be neat to add it for information purposes.
I am wondering if type is not so much what digital image setters’ font choice but rather, a means of printing
Barb, I occasionally see references about how the book was typeset - most of those have been art books or what they call coffee table books.
Other information things I've seen very occasionally are paper characteristics such as weight, or if the paper is handmade paper, or has unusual inclusions or ingredients. Only two or three times have I seen the publisher include their printer's name in a magazine masthead. Publisher and printer are not necessarily the same entity. When a publisher that prints its own material has more business than its presses can handle, it often subcontracts printing to other printers. That is not something the house with the contract wants publicized. Fry has done such work both as the original contractor and as a subcontracted entity. When subcontracted work came in, anything sent back to the client was devoid of any indication that Fry worked on the project.
Fry is primarily a magazine printer, so they focus on web press and sheet-fed offset printing. There are other companies in the area that concentrate on cards and such that use dye cutting. I know of several that print product packaging including plastics like bread wrappers. Rodale Press had a small screen-printing area (mostly, I think, for in-house use and for Rodale's promotional products) when I worked there over twenty years ago.
Oops, I'm babbling again.
-
No, please babble on - this is interesting - a picture into production that printing is so much a part of our lives that we take it for granted - until you mentioned the bread wrapper it opened my head to realize just how much printing is involved in our everyday products never mind reading material which must be a drop in the bucket...
So much of printing now is computer driven to make templates and impregnate gels but I only know a small part of it - as I say my connection was through art - I am and I bet others are fascinated to learn more about the printing industry so babble on please...
-
OH yes, do they actually use the expensive hand made rag paper from France? Or are there other makers of rag paper that I am not aware...
-
There are lots of little shops in Venice selling beautiful paper. I'm not sure what it's made from but it costs a fortune - looks lovely though.
Rosemary
-
Interesting question, Barb. I thought there should be plenty of American manufacturers. At least plenty of paper companies sell specialty and cotton rags. While doing some research I found this:
http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Manufacture-United-States-1801-1900/dp/0786458631
Now you just know that I will be getting that for my Kindle. Note the comment from customer Peter Hopkins. His personal knowledge makes the book all the more attractive to me.
Elsewhere, I came up with a company in Ohio that makes rag and fiber pulp for the paper industry. Fine art rag and fiber papers are made all over the world, including Japan, Thailand, France, Spain and Italy. My sister brought back from Costa Rica a diary/journal made of banana fibers. Monadnock Paper Mill claims to be the oldest continuously operating mill in America. Both Crane and Eaton (loved my Eaton watermarked stationary when I was a teen) are in Massachusetts. Wisconsin claims status as the #1 state in paper making. Gladfelter Paper is just down the road from me in York, PA.
Here is a .pdf that shows the process of making rag pulp and paper. It has some info on recycled papers and print trends affected by the growing digital encroachments. http://www.library.jhu.edu/bin/o/c/Scott%20Mingus%20Trends%20in%20Paper%20Manufacturing.pdf
-
Great links- thanks - the book from Amazon is one to drool over isn't it - Oh and I forgot Crane and Eaton
My head is exploding as I ponder this - just think of all that is made from paper - we bake in paper - we carry groceries in paper - the food, confections, cosmetics is packaged and boxed in paper - paper doilies to decorate the presentation of foods - shoe boxes and boxes large enough to bring home new purchases from the department stores - gifts are wrapped in paper - holiday cards and stationary - money - legal documents - of course the books, posters and water colors as well as other print mediums - heck even shot gun shells are paper wrapped.
here is the link to Crane http://www.crane.com/about-us/crane-company?RPL
I remember reading a novel that takes place in France during the Revolution of glass blowers and glass makers roving through the villages and forests of France I wonder if there are any novels with characters in the paper making or printing trade.
Evidently Venice is knows for its blue paper and paper masks - her is the link about the blue paper
http://cool.conservation-us.org/coolaic/sg/bpg/annual/v12/bp12-02.html
aha - here we go Paolo Olbi a master paper maker in Venice
http://grantourismotravels.com/2010/06/16/paolo-olbi-venice%E2%80%99s-master-of-paper-printing-bookbinding/
-
I'm a water media painter, so paper is very important to me. I've always thought I'd like to take a class in making paper. I have had some lovely hand-made paper that was made out of dryer lint.
-
Well, I know Murder She Wrote had an episode involving publishers. There have been several movies focused on newspaper publishers and reporters. But novels? I can't think of any. There must be some somewhere. My quick Google search hasn't come up with anything yet.
-
Think I found a few - the last one for me has promise and the one called Cellophane sounds like fun...even the first one sounds like an adventure that rivals the best of them.
http://www.amazon.com/Printers-Devil-Paul-Coulter/dp/1456336932/ref=sr_1_16?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326409808&sr=1-16
The Printer's Devil –
Set in New York’s notoriously corrupt Tammany Hall era following the Civil War, The Printer's Devil follows Ambrose Kelly, a type-setter for The Tribune. Ambrose believes his wife and son were killed because of his side trade in acquiring old books for wealthy patrons. Horace Greeley sends him to the Ottoman Empire as a correspondent, enabling Ambrose to track Vandermeer from Constantinople to a Georgian monastery to the Caspian to Cairo and Luxor and Abyssinia in a deadly race to find the gospel first.
http://www.amazon.com/Printers-Devil-American-Publishing-Revolution/dp/0520247590/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326409089&sr=1-9
Printer's Devil: Mark Twain and the American Publishing Revolution -
Trained as a printer when still a boy, and thrilled throughout his life by the automation of printing and the headlong expansion of American publishing, Mark Twain wrote about the consequences of this revolution for culture and for personal identity. Printer's Devil is the first book to explore these themes in some of Mark Twain's best-known literary works
http://www.amazon.com/Cellophane-Marie-Arana/dp/0385336659/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326408896&sr=1-1
Cellophane
Don Victor Sobrevilla, a lovable, eccentric engineer, always dreamed of founding a paper factory in the heart of the Peruvian rain forest, and at the opening of this miraculous novel his dream has come true—until he discovers the recipe for cellophane
http://www.amazon.com/Watermark-Novel-Middle-Vanitha-Sankaran/dp/B004IK9DZ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326408682&sr=8-1
Watermark: A Novel of the Middle Ages -
The daughter of a papermaker in a small French village in the year 1320—mute from birth and forced to shun normal society—young Auda finds solace and escape in the wonder of the written word. Believed to be cursed by those who embrace ignorance and superstition, Auda's very survival is a testament to the strength of her spirit. But this is an age of Inquisition and intolerance, when difference and defiance are punishable "sins" and new ideas are considered damnable heresy.
-
For some reason, I think that John Campbell folk school does some things that involve handmade paper and handmade books...
I used to love good stationery, but no longer keep anything but notes.. Those I get from museums and love them for Thank yous or a personal note for some reason. I rarely write whole letters.. email for me is so much easier..Somehow it feels more like a conversation. My older son was once a great letter writer. I loved getting letters from him since they sounded exactly like he was talking to me.. I think that is a gift..
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
My son's letters were great, too, STEPH. He has such a humorous style, and
always had me laughing. Now that he lives close enough to come see us about
once a month, he no longer needs to write the letters. I miss them, but
gladly forfeit the letters to have the writer.
That's a very promising list of books, BARB. I wonder if I can find any of
them in my library. Let you know if I do.
-
Thanks for the reminder, Steph. I've looked at those from time to time, but haven't found one at the same time there's something John wants to take. Guess I could go by myself, couldn't I. ::)
-
Are we going to rue the day of email? Steph and Babi, your comments remind me of the book I just picked up from the library -- As Always, Julia (edited) by Joan Reardon, non-fiction) --
the letters between Julia Child and Avis DeVoto. Two women, who had not met, quickly change from Mrs Child and Mrs DeVoto to Julia and Avis. And it all started with a thank you note for a kitchen knife. I'm loving this book -- what if we'd had email then.
What also amazes me is that these letters were saved. When you think of all the moving around that Julia Child did -- when y ou move house, you clean house.
-
What a wonderful discussion of print and paper. Ever since I saw a (old-time) book that listed the men who had printed it by name, I always thought the note about typeface was a way of acknowledging the artistic contribution that the printers had made to the book. I like to think that's true, anyway, even if it's not.
-
Yes, JoanK, I think you are correct about the acknowledgement of the printers or designers of the print type/font.
-
I was reminded.... There is a artist from Chattanooga - Barry Moser - who does etchings, wood-cut prints, illustrations. etc. His work is fabulous, and we are lucky enough to have one of his original illustations for Huckleberry Finn. He's done many of the children's classics, etc. Anyhow, a few years ago his company put out a VERY limited edition of the Bible - with his illustrations, all handmade - and very expensive. Here's a link to the web site about it.
http://www.pennyroyal-caxton.com/
-
Fascinating Mary - the whole story of how the book was handcrafted, printed, illustrated - just wonderful - thanks for the link.
-
I am a lot like your son. Love writing long letters and also receiving them. Something about opening a letter one receives from the Mail man. Different feeling from getting a E-Mail. I just received one today from a cousin in UK. She and I normal to E-M daily. I have been sending but not hearing back. Now know why. Her computer has gone. Not worth fixing. Lost all E-M address.
We never think of it breaking down or people being sick and not able to get on a computer. Have lost 3 people last 2 years and know that due to us going onto E-mail for past 8 years their family had no way of letting me know due to them not being able to get into their computers. I did finely use a telephone to get the info.
I have always liked letter writing. When young in Uk., some of the time during the war, I must have had about 10 Pen pals. Some in other parts of the World. Now most are gone.
-
And I'm the opposite. I could never write letters: I'm famous in my family for it. As a result, i've lost track of many friends as I moved around in my early days. But something about that big, empty page intimidates me. For some reason, e-mails and posts feel completely different -- very comfortable.
-
I love letter writing but there aren't many people who are prepared to keep up a correspondence. Yesterday I had a letter from my friend who moved to Milan, Italy seven years ago - it was so lovely to be able to read all of her news, then read it again. A friend who now lives in Malaysia also writes, which is great. The only two people with whom I still have regular paper correspondence here in the UK are my mother and a friend from before I was married - we now have 5 almost grown up children between us, and meet up about once a year, but still write in between.
Emails are wonderful, but there is nothing like getting a real letter, IMO.
Having said that, i do think the www is an amazing thing - it has led me to all sorts of places and people that I would never have met; it is a great way of finding people with similar interests or takes on life, and I have found out so much about the little details of life in other countries, especially the US.
Rosemary
-
MaryZ... maybe you and I could find a week when we both wanted classes, this next summer and we could room together. I love John Campbell, but they wont let you have a single room.. and the idea of complete strangers throws me..I do love taking their classes and am very interested in learning quilting..I quilted a bit when younger, but only piecework types. Now I think it would be fun to learn some of the intricate patterns.
-
Sounds like a plan, Steph. See if you can find a class or two you'd like, and I'll see what I can find in those weeks. (I don't think I snore too much. :D)
-
Fascinating, MARYZ. I was surprised,tho', that the majority of the illustrations
seem dark and bloody. I realize that the Bible does reflect the bloody history of
humankind, but it's primary message to me is the light shining through all of it.
A good point, JEANNE. I am fortunate that my daughter and I share this computer,
and she knows how to access all my information. I can always ask her to pass on
an explanation for my absence. Maybe we should make it a practice to have someone
who can do that, just as we arrange for someone to hold a power of attorney for
us. The times, they are a-changing, as someone or other said.
-
Marvelous, MaryZ. Of course, the first thing I did was look up the history of the Galliard typeface. Have yet to check out the other one and finish looking at the rest of the book. Caxton is a typeface name but they didn't use it in the book, so it must denote something else. I need to find out how they decided on the title "Pennyroyal Caxton" when I have time.
-
I have been digging around in classes for next summer.. I found that Road Scholar has a bunch of classes at Black Mountain and at Lake Junalaska.. Both are close enough to Franklin to make it an easy drive.. Not to commute, a bit far for that. Also John Campbell, when I find my summer catalogue. I can go on line if I have to.
Snore.. I suspect I do, but who hears themselves.
-
;)
-
Steph, unfortunately I have heard myself - it's quite humiliating! The JCCampbell doesn't have anything in a catalog past June 2012 (we have that one). I looked on line, too, but still nothing past June. Surely there should be something out soon.
-
Off topic, but I was just noticing Babi's quotation "I don't pretend to understand the universe; it's a great deal bigger than I am. ...Thomas Carlyle"
My son who likes to read science books was just telling me that they have found that there are an infinite number of universes (not galaxies like our Milky Way galaxy, but whole universes). I was amazed. I'm probably the only one who didn't know this. With that many universes, there must be other planets with humans like ours, eh?
Marj
-
Marj,
Your son must be talking about the theory that there are parallel universes. Perhaps he is more familiar with the term Multiverse which includes parallel universes. As far as I know, it is all mathematical construct and not proven by physical means - yet. I mostly associate it with quantum physics/mathematics and string theory, oh, and of course, science fiction.
-
Thanks, Frybabe, I'll ask him. He said he was going to explain it more to me. Sounds very interesting, but probably too complicated for me to grasp.
Oh well, on with Stephen King's 11/22/63, more my speed. LOL.
Marj
-
Frybabe -- more on mulltiverse theory:
I showed my son what you said, and he agreed that was what he had been talking about. But he said that just recently some scientists in England believe they have discovered physical evidence to support the theory. He said to google BBC - MULTIVERSE MICROWAVE BACKGROUND and read about it if you are interested.
Marj
-
Thanks, I will, Marj.
PS: just checked out the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/ that is mentioned in the article. I hadn't heard of it before now. It is now a new link in my science bookmark folder, along with Kepler and Messenger. I also the NSF, NASA and Chandra newsletter. I don't remember any mention of this. Hmmm!
-
I am still using the Daniel Silva books to catch up. I am not reading them in sequence, which is a little confusing sometimes, but as I can find them.. No idea why I like them so much, but I do. Gabriel is interesting.
-
Margefay: "probably too complicated for me to grasp."
Don't sell yourself so short. If the explanation is too complicated for you to grasp, either it's a bad explanation or the person explaining hasn't gotten to the root of it yet. All great truths are simple. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)
-
Joan - you are so right. When I was working in my last job, the senior partner had a way of brushing you off with 'it's perfectly simple' - and because he was the senior partner, I always felt obliged to crawl away and try to understand whatever it was by myself. It was only as time wore one that I realised that he usually had less of a clue than i did - he was just a typical court lawyer, very good at bluff and not at all interested in the detail, which bored him rigid. The kind of work I did, however - wills, trusts and estates (probate) - requires a lot of attention to detail. In the end, I did often say to him 'No, I don't think that's right' - never got me anywhere, but at least I didn't feel quite so inadequate!
I wish I had learned to stand up to people like him earlier - when I was at university I was surrounded by people from public schools (ie top rank fee paying schools like Eton) who all sounded so authoritative and clever that I more or less turned up my academic toes. Only now do I realise that it was 99% bluff - and of course it is these people who go on to run the country!
Rosemary
-
I love detail, always have..and math.. yum,, but the scientific community bores me enough that I dont even try to figure out how things work. I know I should, but I simply cannot bring myself to care. As long as it works, that is just fine with me.
I picked up an older Lisa See.. Her China is fascinating to me. The idea of Red Princes and Princesses is really wild. The original marchers children are priviledged. and rich.. Hmm.
-
I had a somewhat similar problem, ROSEMARY. I was raised to be polite and kind, and dreaded confrontation of any kind. Consequently, I could never bring myself to tell anyone a harsh truth or stick up for myself when someone became aggressive. I will speak up now when I think I need to, but I'll still be tactful about it. :-X ::)
-
I think it went with the territory if you were a girl - there would be a smirk and smile when boys mis-behaved and pride if they "stood up for themselves" regardless if it was with words or fists and a bloody nose, but a girl was supposed to be a good little girl with a curl in the middle of her forehead as the old nursery rhyme suggested because you may have been tolerated as a tom boy but not dis-obedient or rough mannered - or not giving deference to your elders - which set us up to imagine men and boys had the skills that we were never allowed to practice without the risk of being considered 'less than' therefore, they knew and we were humbly in second place.
Remember the cartoons, jokes and even movie scripts that showed a women, especially a wife, who knew her way and could get things done she was called and depicted as a battle ax, a wild women without an attractive body. I am also remembering how much women drivers were always made in fun of and blamed as the cause of any hiccup on the road.
We still have to weigh our words in some instances to be heard or to move things along but to get help - that takes a special guy and for that I wonder if it is not so much we are women but even guys seldom help each other - their world is all about competition and so they bluff themselves through much just to make themselves look like they are top dog.
-
Barb - just yesterday the plumber called about installing a new shower. He is in his seventies but still working. He explained that we needed to buy a certain type of shower to fit the existing hole in the wall - then he said 'it's difficult to explain what I mean over the phone - especially to a woman'.
Needless to say, husband thought this was hilarious. Unfortunately tradesmen are like gold dust around here, so i will just have to bite my lip.
I was most definitely brought up not to 'make a fuss'. I am not sure how much of this was a gender thing and how much a class one. My mother certainly thought that you should show the utmost deference to anyone 'better' than you - that meant all teachers, bank managers, lawyers, doctors, anyone who lived in a better house than you, earned more money than you, had a better education, etc etc. However, I do recall her being outraged when women demanded equal pay for an equal job - her view being that 'men had a family to support, women were just doing work for pin money' - I don't know where that idea came from, as she had to work from the day my father died (I was eight at the time) and it certainly wasn't for 'pin money'. Oh well, we are all children of our time I suppose. I'm sure my daughters despair over some of my views!
Rosemary
-
ah - plumbers and electricians - have you noticed they can never explain anything without referring to sexual explanations for parts and fits - sheesh... I am sure it was how they were taught and in the beginning to get a bunch of guys who worked the land to understand it was probably the easiest since they were most familiar with animals as well as humans - but now it seems ludicrous.
-
I saw a wonderful bumper sticker here yesterday, and wanted to let the woman know that I appreciated it, but her car window was up, and I couldn't get her attention!
"Well-behaved women seldom make history!"
-
TOME: ;D
Back in the 50s, I was a computer programmer, at first one of a few women in a man's field. I found, whenever I had to work with a new male colleague, I had to work to make him hear what I said.
-
I believe that. I like TOTALLY believe that. Many, many men have accustomed themselves to just zoning out when women are speaking. Too many of these are husbands!
-
MaryPage, you are so right!
-
Y es, I have a wonderful tshirt.. Women who behave rarely make history.. I love it..
Yes, having gone through this whole siege with my toilet.. The plumbers will be here today to install the new one.. I am sure that he will be condescending, but I just want the new toilet and then to have some peace.
My parents were great about believing that women were equal. My Dad believed in education, but did have severe thoughts that women should be nurses, teachers, etc.. I thought being an architect would be great, but he really really discouraged me, but I did meet a female architect when I was in my 20's and already married. She confided however, that she and her husband were full partners and even then people would ask for him first.. Times have changed.
Why do I think there are two sides to the current argument on the web and freedom. There are some ways that I really believe that the web has too much freedom. I have recently been given the names of several sites and I really do not like the amount of information sitting out there about me and where I live,etc.
-
Rosemary, re: equal pay for equal work -- When I was a kid, in my town there was a woman doctor on the school board (Dr. B.O. Jones) who was quite outspoken and caused quite a stir in town because of it. The school board was discussing salaries and many were of the opinion that male teachers should be paid more because they had families to support. Dr. Jones' comment to that was, "We do not pay our teachers according to their fertility."
-
Rosemarykaye.
I grew up in UK a few years before you and so I doubt you ever heard of my Favourite book. (The girl Crusoes). How I love it. Was maybe 10 years old when I got it. Read it at least 5 time a year clear up to me leaving for the US many years later. Having had 2 daughters I have tried for years to find a copy. Never have. Long out of print. However someone just about 6 months ago told me they had seen a copy for sale but alas. it was In Australia. Every girl would have enjoyed that book.
-
Jeanne it may be that Amazon recently re-released the book - is this it - if so you have a source...
http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Crusoes-Story-South-Seas/dp/1467905372/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327024219&sr=8-1
-
Iam reading Julia Spencer Flemings latest.. "One was a soldier" It is truly amazing. The has Claire and Russ.. and a mystery... but also a wonderful part of it is counseling about Trauma.. They are all vets in the counseling, but I can related being in a group just now myself.. It gave me a lot of insight about where the facilitator is coming from. Good book.
-
Barb and Jeanne, I just ordered it for my kindle because it was free. Hard to beat a deal like that~
Sally
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Gosh, you get so many more free books for Kindle in the US than we do here in the UK. I just looked this book up on UK Amazon - it isn't available for Kindle at all, and a secondhand copy is over £4. Will try the library.
Rosemary
-
I decided to color code my files.. Bought a five color system and so now I am in a sea of paper as I go through each and every file.What a lot of stuff, I save, that I probably dont need to. I also suspect I am throwing away things, I might need. I have forgotten again. How many years for Income Tax??
-
Seven, I think, STEPH. I no longer have to concern myself with that, happily.
-
Steph et al -- Google this -- "25 documents before you die"
This was originally a Wall Street Journal article from sometime last year, but a lot of blogs have picked it up. Basically, it suggests what you need to have in a convenient place for your heirs, so they won't have to spend18 to 24 months tracking down information, as did some mentioned in the article.
Among the more important items --
Proof of ownership -- i.e. house, land, car
Income Tax -- at least three years
A list of bank accounts, investments, etc.
Contacts -- lawyer, etc.
A close friend of mine died shortly before Christmas. She was pretty well-organized, had a trust, and kept her family up to date. But one thing that the family was not sure of -- all the organizations (i.e. like AARP, local groups) she was connected to, and all the organizations she contributed to regularly. They had made a long list and were trying to contact all these groups, one reason being so they'd stop sending mail.
I'm trying to decide how long I need to keep monthly statements from banks, etc. Credit card bills, etc. So much of that stuff is probably online somewhere, if you needed to track it down.
-
I shred all the monthly statements after my annual income tax statements are done and receipt has been confirmed.
I keep those and and any supporting information for about ten years - although I don't think that long is really necessary.
My attorney told me I should keep all Final Estate Settlement papers "forever". Since I am the sole heir in my Dad's family, that means I have files from my parents, grandparents and two aunts who never married.
I've been amazed how often I've needed to refer to something in my grandfather's estate settlement - which was in 1927!!
-
I don't keep monthly bills, credit card statements, etc. Most of my things are online, including my bank statements. I, like Callie, only keep stock transactions and the supporting data for what we've filed on our income taxes. We have boxes of old income tax stuff and canceled checks (remember when they sent all that back to you?) and I need to find a shredder somewhere to get rid of all that. I keep hoping to find a commercial shredder somewhere where I could take these boxes of stuff and shred it or watch it shredded. I know they go to banks...but none around for ordinary people to use, I guess.
The little shredder we have would take me forever, but guess I should start with that some rainy, cold day.
jane
-
jane, we got rid of all that stuff a few years ago. We do have a commercial shredder who will come to your house (for a price) or you can take things to them. I was getting ready to do that when our daughter who lives out in the country told me to bring it to her and they would burn it. So we did that, and we take stuff to her a couple of times a year now. ::)
-
Jane, you might explain your situation to your bank (or any other large business you're acquainted with) and ask what shredding service they use. Then check with the service to see if it's available for your situation.
I bought a bigger shredder to start on the boxes of "stuff" I needed to get rid of. Ten large garbage bags and an overheated shredder later.... :D
I hauled the rest to a local place that provides employment for challenged people by shredding material for businesses. However, they also do large jobs for ordinary people and charge a reasonable fee based on weight; there is a minimum fee.
Couldn't believe I had 95 pounds of material - and that was after they gave my boxes back!!!! :o
-
I shred as I go along..My trusts are all held by a broker and I have introduced both sons to him, so they know who to get in touch with, etc. I pay all of my bills online..My sons know where my will is, I have prepaid for cremation.. Sice my Mom and Dad are both dead, the answer on documents is: if you are the executer and DO NOT use an attorney, keep data. Otherwise, simply keep the release.. unless there is an ongoing trust..
But I am trying to make sure that I have a list of not only credit cards, bank stuff, but my ordinary utilities.. You also need proof of ownership, etc of your house if you own it.. Since I own two, I have two separate filles on that..
So it is coming along.. I do shred a bunch of supporting stuff after filing my taxes.. But you do need to retain proof stuff for a certain amount of years, I thought it was seven, but I remember my accountant last year, saying a different thing. Have to remember to ask her what the rule is. She did give me a list of what the government accepts on clothing and material donations. Interesting.
-
Maybe I'm paranoid, but I'm afraid to bring my sensitive financial papers to a commercial shredder. I wouldn't know who was looking at them and who was taking notes. We're told not to let our credit cards out of site when making purchases, yet we'd bring our old bank statements to a pure stranger? Tell me I'm wrong so I can get rid of three years of bank statements!
-
The easiest and most secure to me is to use a fireplace and if you do not have one use or get an inexpensive barbecue - 8)
-
When my next door neighbors retired and moved to NOrth Carolina they used a commercial shredder, but he came to the house. I know, because we share a driveway and he needed to park his round shredder truck at the end of the drive. I don't know if he hauled all the shredded stuff away if he gave it to the neighbors to do.
-
At the commercial shredder I used, my papers were dumped into a HUGE container - along with others that had been brought in ahead of mine. The container was on a conveyer belt and I assume that, when it reached a certain level, it was sent to and emptied into a shredder. The container was way too large and things were too automated for anyone to have time to go through hunting for information.
-
I take my papers to a shredder operated by out local handicapped facility. You can stand and see them shredded before you leave. This is a great thing because it not only gets the job done but you can feel good because it provides work for those who are not able to keep regular jobs.
-
Ursa, the shredder I take mine to is the same kind of facility and I feel just as you do.
-
Ihave a small one of my own and have no problems keeping up with what I shred..
I am having fun with the Fern Michaels Sisterhood. This is the first one, although there might be a backstory about Myra..Will have to look it up.. Light, but neat..
-
Having finished the almost 1000 page Fall of Giants, i'm on to another tome, Sharon Penmen's Sunne in Splendour about Richard III. Wikipedia says this
"As a student, Penman researched and wrote The Sunne in Splendour that chronicled the life of Richard III. When the 400-page manuscript was stolen from her car, Penman found herself unable to write for the next five years. She eventually rewrote the book and by the time the 936 page book was published in 1982 she had spent 12 years writing it, while practicing law at the same time.
The Sunne in Splendour is about the end of England's War of the Roses. In the book, Penman characterizes King Richard III as a healthy, if misunderstood, ruler. She chose to write Richard's character is such a way after becoming fascinated with his story and researching his life, both in the US and in the UK, which led her to believe that "his was a classic case of history being rewritten by the victor"."
Can you imagine how depressed she must have been, all that work gone!?!
She does provide a very real sense of life in 15th century England, w/ lots of good details, afterall, she's got 900 pages to do it in! But my goodness, can't royalty come up w/ some unigue given names. In her "family tree" (Steph you'll have to tell me the professional title for that schematic) there are three Edwards, two Edmunds and an Edouard and sev'l Richards and, of course, Henrys! So confusing! And then they each have sev'l other titles, "Duke of someplace" and "earl of someplace". Just as Prince William does now and whatever Kathryn's being called. It starts w/ the War of the Roses so it's pretty grisely, i'm hoping it gets to more interesting interrelationships.
BTW, i would recommend Fall of Giants, especially for tjose of you who are following Downton Abbey, same WWI setting. I will look forward to the second book in the trilogy.
-
I loved Sunne in Splendor, but oh me, it took some time to stagger through it. I do agree at that point, Royalty seemed stuck on a very very few names. I always thought that Edward had a bum rap and have read several other much smaller books that say that. If you win the war, you get to be the hero in history. Ah.. well, not sure it is not like that even today.
-
I suspect, JEAN, that royalty likes to preserve the names of rulers who
have been highly successful, or popular. A good omen, perhaps. I think
people are more comfortable with tradition, anyway. It's like a holiday
menu; you can introduce something new, but don't forget the old favorites!
Absolutely, STEPH. At least for that generation, the victors write the history
books. Later researchers may well come up with a very different version.
-
Y es, well Victoria insisted that all of her children keep the name Albert in their families and every single one had at least one Albert if not more than had it as a middle name. Her son eventually managed to escape it by using Bertie ... Even though she hated the nickname.
-
Yes, but when Bertie became king he used George. Betcha Princess Di didn't name either of her boys Albert. Speaking of whidh, William and Kate had best get on with it. Fertility decreases after age 30, and the Brits are going to be hugely disappointed if they don't get an heir to the throne.
-
I know that William has a huge amount of names, so am not sure if Albert is one of them.. I think Charles has Albert somewhere in the list of hisnames.
-
I find myself curious as to whether all this infusion of 'new blood' into the
royal line might not produce some who are not content with a life as primarily figurehead and show piece.
-
I know that William has a huge amount of names, so am not sure if Albert is one of them.. I think Charles has Albert somewhere in the list of hisnames.
Surprisingly, no...
Charles Philip Arthur George; born 14 November 1948)
William Arthur Philip Louis; born 21 June 1982
I assume the Philip is for Father/Grandfather. I don't know how the Arthur figures in. [King Arthur and the Roundtables comes to mind, but probably not that.]
Louis may be for Philip's beloved uncle...killed by a bomb in a boat, as I recall?
Admiral of the Fleet Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas George Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, KG, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, DSO, PC, FRS (born Prince Louis of Battenberg; 25 June 1900 – 27 August 1979), was a British statesman and naval officer, and an uncle of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (the husband of Elizabeth II)
EDIT: Just looked that up...
[In 1979 Mountbatten was assassinated by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), who planted a bomb in his fishing boat, the Shadow V, at Mullaghmore, County Sligo in the Republic of Ireland.]
-
I remember the report that Charles was very close to his uncle Mountbatten, so i'm sure you are right about his giving the name to Wm.
-
Satisfying to realise that if Catherine (Duchess of Cambridge) and William do have a girl she will have equal rights to succession to the throne. I believe that this is a law that has only recently been changed. About time! Especially when you consider that the longest lived monarchs were Queens. That is Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth II.
"DevelopmentThe current succession law in the United Kingdom evolved from succession law in both England and Scotland. Originally in both countries, there were no fixed rules governing succession to the Throne. The individual could have relied on inheritance, statute, election (by Parliament or by another body), nomination (by a reigning Sovereign in his or her will), conquest or prescription (de facto possession of the Crown). It was often unclear which of these bases should take precedence; often, the outcome depended not on the legal strength of the claims, but on the political power of the claimants.
However, over time, the default rule in England and Scotland became male primogeniture: later monarchs coming to the throne by exception to this rule went to great lengths to explain and justify going against these rules, and to prove their rivals illegitimate. Eventually, Parliament took control of succession."
Rosemary - Would you be able to check and see if I am right regarding "equal succession" please? I hope I didn't imagine it :)
-
No, you are right, it has recently been changed so that girls and boys have equal right to succession.
Rosemary
-
Ah knew someone would look up the names. I remember the Arthur since I wonder if the royal family is in love with the legend.
-
I am floored by the number of names given to person like Mountbatten. What was the idea behind all that?! Can you enlighten me, ROSEMARY? Was the idea to impress everyone with the number of noble/royal relationships in the family?
-
Babi, I don't really know, but upper class people always seem to have numerous names, - they hang on to all the ones of their ancestors. Because it is their custom to do this, it has now become a sign of old money. I wonder how they get them all in on all those endless forms we now have to complete for anything and everything? - although royalty are presumably excluded from all that stuff. Can't really imagine the Queen having to apply for a passport.. :)
-
I do hope the official forms don't insist on all the 'middle' names.
That would be really too much. As you say, there wouldn't be room!
One advantage, if you could call it that. Mountbatten could have six
sons and all of them could be named after their Dad. ::)
-
Which has to be better than naming the sons all the same name as the boxer turned "grill man" George Foreman did. What was the man thinking?
Foreman has 11 children, and each of his five sons is named George: George Jr., George III, George IV, George V, and Michi. His four younger sons are distinguished from one another by the nicknames "Monk", "Big Wheel", "Red", and "Little Joey".
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Foreman
-
I thought names were like who do you invite to the wedding - you have folks that are acknowledged by the naming and then there are godparents whose name is included plus a loved parent or grandparent - I do not know about royalty but it seems to me that some of the names were to insure the protection of the child with that family member taking an interest in their namesake. And then for various ceremonies, like Christians are confirmed there is a name that is usually someone to emulate regardless a family name or an admired Saint.
All in all it probably does not matter because in life I cannot even remember in history anyone being addressed by all their names. Almost like we have an address given by the post office and the real ID Of our property which is the legal description that can go on and on and on...
Well Spring is here - all week we have had flocks of birds starting with mases of Robins last week all heading north with a quick landing in our yards that the energy of these birds hardly shows them resting. Plus that the Jasmin is in bloom along the side of the house... Now if we can jut get more rain so our yards will recover before the new onslaught of high summer temps.
-
Rosemary - Thanks for that confirmation.
-
Actually in baptisms, weddings and funerals, the custom used to be to include all of the persons names.. I remember from Elizabeths Coronation, they used all of hers. Very breathtaking actually.
We honored our fathers names with our sons, using their Grandfathesr names as their middle names.. Then one of our sons has named his son using MDH name as his middle name. IT sort of carries on the love you felt for them.
-
Andrew, the second son of Elizabeth II, got the name Albert:
Andrew Albert Christian Edward; born 19 February 1960.
And Charles gave the Albert to HIS second son:
Henry Charles Albert David; born 15 September 1984.
-
I wonder which Albert is so important to the Windsor family tree?
-
I assume Victoria's beloved Albert.
-
I have searched and cannot find anything on the internet to explain the continuation of the name Albert - my only question about it being to honor the husband of Elizabeth 1 is that he was not in the English or Scottish bloodline and I wonder if therefore there is another Albert of importance since Charles was born before Elizabeth II was a queen - she knew one day but is that enough future thinking to give a name to her child of the husband of Elizabeth I.
-
Found this - interesting - http://www.angelfire.com/alt2/antichrist/royalgen1.bmp - found it linked to a strange web site but in itself it is an interesting document showing bloodlines.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Elizabeth I never married and never had a husband.
It was Victoria who decreed that all royals should include the name of HER beloved husband, Albert, in the names of a prince of each generation. Albert was this queen's great, great grandfather. He was Victoria's first cousin and a German by birth. Saxe-Coburg.
There was a King AlFRED waaaaay back in the British early history. He was called Alfred The Great. There have been Albert's ascend to the throne, but they have never used that name as king.
-
Oh yes what a gaff on Elizabeth I - I wonder is there any Scottish connection to an Albert - I didn't know Alfred was a derivative of Albert With Albert being Victoria's first cousin I wonder if although born in Germany he is considered part of the line - but then I need to look it up - when did the Windsor's pickup the throne...?
OH just re-read Victoria ...decreed
wow - now that is monarchy using all its power...
-
During World War I. The family changed its name to Windsor because the name Saxe-Coburg made the monarchy unpopular with the virulently anti-German populace.
I do not know of any Scottish Alberts.
-
Elizabeth I was said to have died a virgin. She had no children, nor husband for that matter. She had learned from experience the treacherous ways of Kings.
-
Haha - MaryPage was faster than I. 8)
-
Victoria wrote that she wanted her b eloved Alberts name memorialized by all her descendents and most of them have obeyed her wishes. She wanted him to be King as well, but the country would not have it..
-
Not only Royalty in England who got some many name. My friend in the 1950s (Born in Scotland but lived in UK) her name was (Dillis, Deloris,Diana, Dear.) I could never figure out why. I didn't even have a MIddle name nor did my brothers. I use my mothers maiden name. All on mothers side had a Middle. Lots of Mary's like Mary Ellen, my GM. Mary Jane. Sarah Ann, for some. Always addressed using both names. Can't remember what my confirmation name was.
-
JeanneP - I hope that I am correct in assuming that you are a Brit.
The news here is full of the atrocious weather you are suffering. People being trapped in their houses with no fuel because they can't dig their way out of their houses. I do hope that you and yours are safe and that the big thaw comes soon. Take care!
-
Roshanarose.
Yes I am. I did grow up in the North of England. Suburbs of Manchester. Have been back often but it has been almost 3 years since I was over. Need to start thinking about this year. Just that I hate Air travel anymore. Checking on one of the Cunard's. Did not realize they now have three ships back in service. I love that way of traveling.
-
I love boats. We used to go on the river boats all the time, but it is really a couple type activity.
Finished The Rembrandt Affair.. Silva never disappoints me.
-
Steph, The Rembrandt Affair is the only Silva I've read so far. I really enjoyed it and plan to read more someday, but right now I've started five different books, all of which I'm enjoying, but it's really too much.
The front-runners right now are Shroud for a Nightingale, an older PD James, and Ann Patchett's State of Wonder, which I just started and find hard to put down. I read her Bel Canto several years ago, and liked it, but was not nearly as excited about it as I am about State of Wonder. A research scientist, working for a Minnesota pharmaceutical company, must locate another scientist in Brazil who is studying an isolated Amazon tribe whose women remain fertile their entire lives. Patchett's writing is so real, makes you feel you are right there with these people.
You folks who have travelled a lot -- have you ever taken an anti-malarial drug called Lariam? That's figured prominently in the first part of this Patchett book.
-
My very favorite Patchett was her first.. Patron Saint of Liars.. What a wild ride.. She is an excellent writer, but have not started the newest one. Bel Canto drove me nuts to some extent.. I just could not believe the reactions.
-
My feelings exactly, Steph. I loved Patron Saints--Bel Canto, not so much.
I just finished a good book: On Agate Hill by Lee Smith. I really like her books and don't know how I managed to miss this one.
Sally
-
Lee Smith. Good heavens, I have not thought of her in years and I loved her stuff.. Will look that one up. Thanks.
-
Lee Smith? Don't think I know her. What kind of books does she write?
-
Babi, I think you would enjoy Lee Smith. Her books are rather "old-fashioned", and many of them focus on Appalachian mountain people. Look her up and see what you think.
Sally
-
I agree Babi, Lee Smith has a gentle touch with the mountain people.. Some are so laid back and funny in a kind sort of way.
-
Sounds like easy, comforting reading. Thanks, Steph and Sally. I'll
look her up.
-
Getting ready to rev up for our semi annual book sale. It is the 18th.. so next Thursday and Friday are the brute labor days of gettting the books out of storage, unpacking and setting up the sales floor.. Honestly, the sale days are easier,, although Saturday morning is very zooey since the mobs are hot for the bargains.. Still fun.. Tiring, but fun.
-
Our book sale starts on 25 February. We'll work a couple of shifts, but don't help with set-up or take-down. It's always fun.
-
The workers in our sale get first pick and that guarantees lots of helpers.
-
Our library volunteers also get to go through before the sale opens to the public. One of the library's 'thank you' options.
-
Still plowing thru "The Suune in Splendour", only on page 350, there are 900+. yThe print is so small there are many, many words on each page, i feel like i've read a lot and have only covered several pages. It's just battle after battle w/ personal relationships in between. I keep thinking i will give it up, but there's something seductive sbout Edward IV and richard (to be ) III. Sharon Penman makes them very human characters. But, oh my, the poor ordinary people, comstant battles back and forth, men being recruited to fight in the most awful wars (of the Roses), people hoping they are going to end up on the right side when it ends, pillage by traversing armies, heads on pikes. What an awful life. So glad i live in the 21st century in the United States. How often i have thot that in my reading life and studying history.
-
Mabel - Have you read the "Red Queen" by Phillipa Gregory? It truly is one of the most impressive books of it genre I have read. The action takes place around the Tudor and Plantagenets battle for the Crown.
I tried reading Sharon Penman once - she didn't move fast enough for me. I hate books that bog down.
-
No Roshanarose, i haven't read that one, i'll put it on my tbr list, thanks. That's the next iteration of the wars after the Yorkists & the Lancastrians, isn't it? The Sunne in Splendour is the 15th century, so the Tudors come up soon.
-
If you want some fun in that period.. try Fiona Buckley. She writes about a handmaiden to Queen Elizabeth !.. She acts as a spy for the Queen.. Fun and a lot of excitement.. A different slant on the period..
-
Oh, my, yes, JEAN. Reading "Bleak House" just now does bring that
point strongly to the fore. Quaint and charming as I find the
people, conversation, manners, etc., I cannot imagine living in
cities with such filthy streets and sooty, odorous air.
-
So glad i live in the 21st century in the United States. How often i have thot that in my reading life and studying history.
Isn't that the truth, Jean. I feel that way often, not just about life in the past, but also still in many places in the world. Mistry's A Fine Balance, from the days of Indira Ghandi, especially comes to mind. And a film like Hotel Rwanda.
-
As must as I loved Elspeth Huxley and other books about whites in Africa back in the 30's and 40's.. I realize I would not have liked to live there, even now.. But then I have been to Mexico twice and would not live there either.
-
I would love to live in Three Pines - if only it existed. Or St Mary Mead.
-
Alas, I understand the problem with moving to small villages like St. Mary Mead, is that the native population doesn't really warm up to newcomers. How many times have I read that people who have lived in one 20-30 years are still considered outlanders.
-
You're right of course Babi - never was that more true than in Aberdeenshire - but of course it wouldn't happen in Three Pines because it's perfect!
Rosemary
-
Exactly!
Although I'm just reading the latest Three Pines book, and one of the characters is afraid he'll never be accepted again, after his dark side was revealed in the last book.
I've never lived in a small town, and often wonder if I'd love it or hate it. If I ever goofed up (which, given me would be likely) would people hold it against me for the next 20 years?
-
But Rosemary, darlin' - people get murdered in Three Pines! I guess we have to cheer for criminal activity in order to keep the series of books coming! LOL.
-
;D
-
ROSEMARY ;) 8)
-
Not accepted by the natives? Try any small town in the south. You are still the "new people fron Wherever" after 30 years.
-
When coming into the USA I found lots of snobby people. Not the same Class rankings as we had in UK. Here they seem to go by how much money you had. Your big auto, homes. Just had to be Rich. NO question of blood line like in UK. Most of the old families there lost their wealth but still remained so called High Class. Got lots of credit just by having a old family name.
With me. (Not rich) they use to think me class over here because of my British Accent. Some positions I had, wanted me to answer the business phone instead of their secretaries. Said I sounded better to their clients. Crazy people.
-
A relative of mine who lived in Florida married a man from a small town in northern Iowa. He had three brothers, each of whom married a local girl. Even after 45 years of marriage and heavy community involvement in her husband's hometown, Marjean was still referred to as "the wife from Away".
-
I grew up in a tiny town, actually just outside of town, but considered part of town. I remember all those years ago, when the airforce base suddenly got much much larger ( Dover AFB). People were horrified because those people were renters ( this in a hushed tone).. Small farming communities simply did not at that point have anything to rent. A church member friend of my parents, cleaned out and actually rented an old chicken house. It was electrified and they put heat in, but really....
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Steph, even in large metropolitan cities you hear renters described as something shoddy. Which provoked a friend to say, "Well, we rent, and we're nice."
In my small city of approx 35,000 someone told me that you're considered a newcomer until no one remembers when you first came to town. I've been here 30+ years, and while their number is decreasing, there are still some who were here before me. What really amazes me is I"m still learning about family connections. I've played bridge with two women for years,(at different times) and just recently learned they were sisters.
Ursamajor, my family did the reverse of the south. My mother and her siblings grew up in small towns in Wisconsin, and they all married spouses from Wisconsin or Minnesota. Except for one brother, career army officer, who married a widow with one child from New Orleans. She didn't stand a chance with the four sisters. (And I never minded drying dishes for large family gatherings because I'd get to hear all the gossip about Aunt N.) Maybe she shouldn't have talked about Huey Long so much.
-
My high school graduation class.. hmm, half of them married either the other half or the older and younger brothers and sisters of the class. Going to a class reunion is weird.. They are mostly interrelated. One of the local families had three sons.. One was in our class and the other two were one older and one younger. They all married classmates of mine. Whew..
-
These Foolish Things by Deborah Moggach is a book you might want to read prior to the British movie opening here on May 4th. Judi Dench and Maggie Smith and a bunch of beyond wonderful performers in a romantic comedy for us Seniors!
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2105615/Best-Exotic-Marigold-Hotel-review-Dame-Judi-Dench-magisterial-best.html#ixzz1nKBmp5U2
-
Wrote down the author. Never heard of her, but a book about seniors is always fun.
-
http://www.deborahmoggach.com/news.htm
-
No luck thus far on the author.. I found some old stuff on my swap club, but nothing of interest.
-
For those of you who liked The Help you may find this column interesting.
My History Newsletter had a column that reminds us of a previous film about maids in the 60s South, The Long Walk Home w/ Whoopie Goldberg and Sissy Specek. The column gives an interesting contrast between the two films. I don't think either film was supposed to be a docuumentary of the period, but Long Walk did provide more factual information about the period. Long Walk is no longer available for sale, but netflix or your library may have a copy.
http://hnn.us/articles/will-helps-oscar-revive-interest-long-walk-home%20
-
Iwill look on Netflix.. I did not like The Help. Found it misleading. At least the book was..Did not go to the movie.
-
Couldn't find "Long walk home" at any of our libraries. Will ask and see if they can borrow it from one not in the System.
-
Our library doesn't have it either :(
-
Reading a somewhat scattered but fun book that says it is nonfiction, but I dont believe it.. Mennonite in a little black dress.. Different sort of mennonite for sure.
-
Finished "Sisterhood of Dune" a couple of days ago. Obviously the authors intend to continue
this series; it left everything in a sort of 'to be continued' state. I did enjoy it, tho', and will be
watching for the appearance of the follow-up.
-
I read "Mennonite in A little black Dress." Liked it. I thought I found it in the Fiction part of the Library.
-
I'm having an interesting reading experience. I mentioned earlier that i was reading Sunne in Splendour, which was billed as about Richard III, but the first half of the book was about his older brother Edward III. Edward married a "commoner" w/out the advice and consent of his handlers. The author, Penman, wrote a story that said the bride and her family, the Rivers, previously loyal to the Lancasters, Edward is a Yorkist, were sneaky, manipulative in a dirty, sneaky, nasty way.
Roshanarose recommended Gregory's "Red Queen". I looked for it at the library and saw that it was a few generations later - and i will read it - but i saw " The White Queen" also and saw that it a similar story to "Sunne" written from the perspective of Edward's Queen and her family. Yes, she is manipulative, but Gregory portrays her as being totally loyal to Edward and she is building her family and their marriages and wealth-gathering as a protective wall for Edward, knowing he will be challenged by the revenge seeking cousin who felt betrayed by Edward's secret marriage instead of marrying the French princess the cousin had arranged for
Edward.
I loved both books, but now am seriously wondering which of these fictional accounts is closer to fact!?!
-
Ah History.. writen by the winners, not the losers, so it is hard to tell what is or is not true.. I always like Edward, but not his wives family..
-
I remember reading a book about that marriage ages ago; I believe it was the Gregory
book. I came away with a good opinion of Edward's 'common' wife, but I can conceive
that Ms. Gregory may have 'prettied up' the truth for her more romantic version. It
would be nice if her version was the true one.
-
When the Tudors came into power via killing Richard at Bosworth, they took over the propaganda machinery, as well. From Shakespeare to Vergil the written word was from the word of mouth horror stories told of the York faction.
We know now, forinstance, that Richard III was NOT a hunchback!
All we have to do is listen ever so briefly to the terrible lies our very own politicians tell on one another today, or, as is more the case, their enthusiasts tell regarding their opponents, to see clearly how much more easily an illiterate public was beguiled back in a day of no quick communication other than word of mouth.
-
Back in 1971, I visited, was it the Tate Gallery?, in London and spent a good bit of time contemplating the portraits of Henry VII and Richard III.
My gut reaction was that I would have trusted Richard, but not Henry. Try this yourself!
And yes, I will be the first to admit this is not a valid test. Yet it is the only one I have.
Please note I am speaking of Richard the Third of England, House of York, and Henry the Seventh of England (Wales), House of Lancaster. Henry killed Richard and created Tudor by marrying Richard's niece. By force.
-
MaryPage - If there was a Tudor propaganda machine, maybe what we know of Henry VIII is just the best side of him. Makes me shudder to think of it.
Babi - The White Queen imho is in no shape or form as good as the Red Queen. I think Gregory skilfully depicts the two women according to the basics she had gleaned about them. Woodville is not particularly likeable, but neither is Beaufort. I enjoyed the way Gregory wrote about the politics of the time of the Red Queen. I learned a lot from that book. I do have the whole set of Cassell's "History of England" so may find something a bit closer to the truth in there. There are ten volumes.
I read a lot of Ancient History and have been chasing up Megalexander. The descriptions and reports of his greatness, his nature and his looksvary considerably. But they all say he had two different coloured eyes and was only 5'3" tall. There is more but it is not for this board.
-
Just think of the horrible things that are being said by the different politicians now when they are just running for the chance to run for President. Think of people like Rush Limbaugh..and his horrible mouth.. History is tricky at best.. My favorite portrait at the Tate...Henry VIII.. Oh wow.. Now there was a presence..
-
I heard that Rush Limbaugh had finally apologized to the girl he slandered so awfully. Probably not because he regretted his remarks, but because people were boycotting the vendors on his TV and radio programs and he feared for his bloated pocketbook.
I just got a wonderful book from the library on the history of British kings, with lots of illustrations: THE OXFORD ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE BRITISH MONARCHY by John Cannon (700+ pages). I'm going to buy it as a great reference book.
Marj
-
I'm reading a very good book by Jack London, THE VALLEY OF THE MOON, and loving it.
I believe it's sort of semi-autobiographical about a young couple who meet and decide to leave the city for the country. I'd not heard of this book until I recently visited Jack London's lovely estate in northern California, now a state park. Sad that he died so young.
Marj
-
5'3" then was much 'taller' than it is today, ROSE. It seems each generation gets
a bit taller. I don't recall reading 'The Red Queen' at all. I've heard the name
Beaufort, of course, but don't really remember anything about it.
-
One of the very best sets of histories about Britain that I have ever read, indeed, my very favorite set, is the 4 book set titled THE LAST PLANTAGENETS by Thomas B. Costain.
The Plantagenets series (also known as The Pageant of England)
The Conquering Family (1949)
The Magnificent Century (1951)
The Three Edwards (1958)
The Last Plantagenets (1962)
Costain remains one of my all time favorite writers; I suspect his style fits my brain wiring, I don't know. Roshanarose, I know you would love him; you probably already do. He was a Canadian and wrote a lot of other books, as well. Every single one of them was good and a number of movies were made from them.
You all probably saw The Black Rose and The Silver Chalice, even if you did not read the best seller books. Two of my favorites were The Tontine and Below The Salt. I can thank my dear old standby, The Book Of The Month Club for getting me started on Costain. I wish everyone wrote as well as he.
-
Rose.
Megalexander. Could be a past relative of my mothers. She had different coloured eyes. One Blue and one Brown..
-
"5'3" then was much 'taller' than it is today, ROSE."
I started to take a college course on English history once. All the professor wanted to talk about was historical research he had done to determine the hight of each English king. I dropped the course.
-
Bravo Joan!
I'llcheck out those books, MarYPage, you and i seem to have kindred minds. I read Below the Salt sometime ago, don't remember the details.
Jean
-
I loved Costain and read every single one of the books.. He had such a gift for making you fell in the middle of things. The Tontine was amazing..
Finished Mennonite in a little Black Dress.. Boring in the end.. I thought it was fiction, but the name of the author and the name in the book were the same, so I assume it was a memoir.
-
About the Rush Limbaugh thing, I only mention it here because it has already been brought up, the thing I find myself sighing over is the huge cultural divide in this country today, with me apparently in the minority. I am not speaking politics here. This has not an iota to do with politics. It has to do with politeness and courtesy as I was raised to observe them.
I find myself unable to watch the vast majority of television "shows" and series today because their idea of humor is to be as loud, insulting and crude as possible to the people around them, be they family, friends or fellow workers.
Rush L. says he apologizes to anyone who did not understand his humor.
Humor?
I was raised to believe such talk to be rude, crude and unrefined and to absolutely hate it. And to scorn the person who was unbelievably behaving in such a manner!
So when did the ugly-talking faction become acceptable? When did the bully become the hero?
-
You are not alone MaryPage. George and I avoid most comedies, many talk shows, etc. because we don't find them funny, or anything but obnoxious and insulting.
-
MaryPage, I agree entirely. The very worst are those awful talk shows that appear on daytime TV - the only time I see them is when I am trapped in the dentist's waiting room. They seem to want us to think that to abuse your family and friends in the coarsest, most unpleasant terms is 'normal', and that those of us who think otherwise are just old-fashioned, 'uptight', etc. I really hate the way a large part of society seems to be going today.
It doesn't matter whether that awful Limbaugh man meant it or not - and I bet he did. Do people think that if they qualify what they say by adding "joke!" that it becomes acceptable?
Oh I could go on, but I'd better not :D
Frybabe - that is partly why I like things like The Vicar of Dibley. People are polite.
Rosemary
-
I like polite. I rreally, really like polite.
Thank you for your support. I fear we are greatly in the minority.
-
Here's one more who's with you re: politeness and the lack thereof!
I deplore the idea that simply mouthing the words "I'm sorry" guarantees instant forgiveness without consequences or true repentance - even if the action/response are repeated over and over and...
-
I'm with you, too, MaryPage.
-
I'm with you all. The TV people wonder why the ratings are down? Where is the humor? What I see if vulgar, obscene (by my standards, anyway), uncouth, and...well, just plain stupid.
I suspect "You don't understand my humor" is a cop-out/excuse/trying to justify a vulgar mouth and behavior. I'm not buying it, and I, too, don't watch or listen to it.
I have my ereader and my computer, and I prefer both of those to the "stuff" (junk) on TV these days.
jane
-
Much as i liked many of the issues it spoke tp, i think the nasty dialogue on tv, especially the sitcoms started with the Archie Bunker show All in the Family. I understand it was based on a British show, but i don't know if the name-calling and nastiness was in the original show.
As to Rush's words of "i used the wrong words", he didn't say that of course the young woman was not a slut or prostitute, only that he should have used some other word to say the same thing. Maybe Rush has got some comeuppance. At least four sponsonrs had pulled their ads.
Where are the "family values" conservatives???
Jean
-
I think there is a line - Archie Bunker was, in my world, pretty real for the time, and I recognized him in some of my relatives. I do not recognize Rush in anyone in my world. I agree, politeness, courtesy, firmness, thoughtful speech are what I appreciate. And above all, honesty.
-
Unfortunately, I suspect "family values" has a new meaning these days - another thing to add to the "it ain't what it used to be" list.
Just read this in an e-mail Fwd:
"I was taught to respect older people but it's getting harder to find any." :D
-
Jean - it was based on the British programme "Till Death Do Us Part", which - for its time (1970s) - was considered so vulgar and appalling that I was banned from watching it by my mother. It was popular though - I think it was probably well acted - Warren Mitchell, who played the legendary Alf Garnett, is also a well respected stage actor, (and is in fact Jewish with very left-wing political views) and Dandy Nichols, who played his long-suffering wife, also appeared in many films - but we had never heard swearing or outright racism on TV before.
To be honest, it was an accurate reflection of the views of vast swathes of the working classes - I include my family in that. My parents were far too timid (think Alan Bennett's parents in Untold Stories) to voice any such opinions, but I have clear memories of some of my mother's friends' husbands swearing like troopers and having political views to the right of Attila the Hun. My parents certainly read The Daily Express (immensely right wing, racist, paper) and in those days did not approve of immigration (my mother has loosened up a bit since). Despite all of that, there was none of this almost institutionalised, knee-jerk swearing, abuse and lack of self-control.
One more thing I must say is that I do not want to blame 'the youth of today' for all of this - I always feel I have to jump in here - although no-one on this site has ever blamed it all on teenagers - in the UK at least there are far more foul-mouthed, disrespectful, impolite adults than there are young people.
Putting soap box away now - honest!
Rosemary
-
I never heard a cross word uttered in my home. No one ever said an unkind word or raised their voice to another person. My father was very good at glaring at me with a look that could kill and asking me in ever so threatening a mild voice if I had done this or that or the other. I admit to being nearly, but not quite, terrified of him. But the most punishment I got was up to my room without my supper. Someone always snuck me something to eat, and I had plenty of books and toys. Not a great hardship, unless there was something for dinner I most particularly loved.
But anyone, from my great grandmother down to my younger uncles and such (one uncle being only 8 years older than myself) would be quick to pounce on me and correct me if I said something gossipy or unkind about anyone in town. Anyone at all. There was one particular little girl I was not allowed to visit when invited, and told I could not have her to my house; I was never told why, just expected to obey. Which I did. Looking back (she was a classmate of mine in grade school) I think that family probably was none too clean and suspected of having cooties or worse.
But oh yes, I do like polite.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Rosemarykaye.
Over the weekend I watched about 8 hours of the Series "Lark rise to Candleford" Season three. Loved it. My fathers family all from Birch Vale. Derbyshire . I have been doing Ancestry research for past 6 year and have photo's of the Area they lived and worked in from 1800. Great Grandparents married 1856. The homes and building in Birch Vale and the Town of Candleford looked just about the same. Found myself picturing my family all growing up like those people. Dressed the same. Living the same. Such fun. That whole area of Derbyshire is so beautiful. ( I know that Candleford was suppose to be close to Oxford.).
Makes one wish they had lived back then. (Maybe for a short time). Would have liked to have met my GGrands. They had nine children but seemed to have had such a happy life together.
I now have to see if there is a Series four and five.
-
Rosemary, I don't want to stereotype all young people. I've been around my three grandchildren and many of their friends for the past 19 years and have always seen respect and courtesy. There may be a good bit of teasing and sarcasm among their special friends - but not with others.
However, two of the Grands had definite problems with individual classmates when they were 10 - 12 years old. My grandson, in particular, was caught in a situation in which teachers could not single out the sly perpetrator, even when they knew exactly who it was. Under school rules, everyone involved had to be disciplined. This was not fair and it took a very long time for my grandson to regain his self-confidence.
Onward and Upward...
I think I saw the book "The Novel Bookstore" mentioned here and want to say how much I'm enjoying it. Interesting premise!
-
Polite - crass - either way I think is putting a polite ring to the Limbaugh profanity - I am and I think many women are fed up being referred to in such a dehumanizing and vulgar way much less, what the words and his use of them infer - disgusting is mild here -
We used to have to put up with this stuff - women were blamed for mens use and abuse of them and where today there are still some who know in their heads it is wrong I think there are way too many who still do not know in their hearts that women deserve the respect you would give your own mother or daughter - can't say wife since too many still think they married a punching bag. Enough is enough!
-
L imbaugh has gotten away with so many horrible things over the years. I have friends who adore him , but I ask them to please not go on and on about how wonderful he is to me. He definitely hates women.. He did not really apologize, at least not what I would think of as an apology. The scary thing to me is the number of people who think anything he says is perfect.
I dont watch much tv, and when I do is old reruns..
I think our country has gotten way out of hand with rudeness, foul language and general behaviour that is unpleasant.. I see it every day, not directed to me, but all around me. I shudder to think of when some of the current young people get old.. The tattoos alone make me blanch.. At least the piercings will heal if you stop putting stuff in them..
Limbaugh is up to 6 advertisers withdrawing..
-
The trouble is - at least here - that all these advertisers withdraw, but the wrongdoer gets so much publicity from it all that the advertisers are soon sneaking back - they want to be seen to be taking the moral high ground, but in the end it is money that speaks, as ever.
Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand got into a huge amount of trouble for something they did live on the radio, but in a matter of months they were both fully 'rehabilitated' and getting just as huge salaries as they had been to start with. Of course they were not really sorry, just sorry that they got caught.
Similarly, Murdoch had to close the News of the World when all the truth about its phone hacking practices came out, but it is now becoming clear that he has continued to nurture the people who had been in charge and who authorised all of it (notably Rebekah Wade/Brooks), and he has now launched 'the Sunday Sun' which is just the NoW in another guise. In the meantime lots of celebrities have jumped on the publicity bandwagon, claiming that their phones were hacked, when IMO the people who really suffered were people like the parents of the murdered schoolgirl Millie Dowler - the NoW hacked her phone after she had been killed, leaving her parents to believe she was still alive. Of course no-one's phone should be hacked, but it is getting to the point at which people like Hugh Grant and Charlotte Church - both inveterate publicity seekers - seem to be claiming that they have suffered as much as Mr & Mrs Dowler.
Oh tatoos! Steph, aren't they horrible? I can't believe the number of young women who have them in all sorts of places. Thank goodness neither of my daughters appears to be interested - Anna insisted on getting a second ear piercing when she reached her 16th birthday (and she paid for it) but that's as far as it's gone. I stipulated no nose, lip or any other piercings, and she agreed. When I was a child, the only people who had tatoos were sailors or a few of my mother's friends' less reputable husbands. My mother even thought ear piercing was extremely common.
The behaviour is of course the worst aspect. The general lack of self-control and manners. Horrible.
-
We must have similar brain wiring, then, MARYPAGE. I love Costain, too. Same with
Limbaugh. My kids laughed, but listened, to a phrase I liked to use...'rude, crude, and
socially unacceptable'. I suppose Limbaugh's attitude must appeal to some people, but
I am amazed that he would think enough people would listen to him that he could run
for president. But then, he does have a very large ego. With any luck at all, Limbaugh's big mouth will eventually put him out of the running.
Too true, ROSEMARY. It used to really gall me when I would resent some remark and
be told, 'You have no sense of humor.' Agh!! >:(
-
This is the last I will say because it is getting boring as we chunch on and on - If Limbaugh had used the most offensive words that were common even as late as 1960 to describe a black person or a stereotypical behavior we associated with a black person that derided him or her we would be so outraged today that he would be taken off the air as Don Imus was a few years ago - and that is not the outrage or shock I am seeing over using the language and behavior pattern that has historically been associated with women when we are denigrated. And to top it off women represent 52% of this nation's population where as Blacks represent 14% - looks like too many women still "put up" with it...
-
Just Saturday at the dinner table we were having a discussion in which i said to my 37 yr old son that i had, and still have, always been impressed w/ the fact that the guys that he hung out w/ as a teenager , and still does, never used any offensive language in front if me or his father. They are always very respectful, even tho i know they watch HBO and listen to hip-hop, they somehow knew/know what is appropriate when and they were willing to say "hey man! Watch your mouth" to others who may not have been taught the same rules.
My son, who is a high school teacher, then told us a story about his taking a sophomore to the office after she had been warned three times by two different teachers about her language. Her excuse was, "it's just a habit."
In my college teaching, i really only once had to admonish a summer school student from another university because he, in classroom discussion, dropped the s and f word w/in about five minutes. Obviously some adults, and apparently other college professors, were letting him get away w/ that language. Maybe we have ourselves to blame.
-
I guess when parents use that kind of language with their kids and I, like all of you, I'm sure, have been amazed to hear what comes out of a parent's mouth to their children and anyone else around. If that's what kids hear from toddler on, that's what kids will say. I'd guess all of us were more likely raised with many fewer material things, but THE LOOK from Mom or Grandmother or Dad would stop us dead in our tracks. Nothing needed to be said. You just KNEW what THE LOOK meant.
jane
-
Seems like once things get started about what is right or wrong for people to say on TV that now it is really taking off.
The latest here this week is to cancel the contract of one of our Well known Coaches.
He happened to call one of the players who is Chinese a "Chink". Now it is being said that that term went out centuries ago. Not where I came from. It was heard to be used in England when I was growing up. Specially during the war. Both Japanese and Chinese I heard called "Chink's" Certain type people will use Slang regardless. The teens of Today use the F word like a every day term. I have even heard 4 year old use it. Does not pertain to just the (Lower class) as a term some people still use.
-
Yes. Sad, isn't it?
-
Yep, amen to all of the above. Did you read where that potty-mouth Ricky Gervaise called Susan Boyle a "mong". I understand that used to be a british derogatory term for a person w/Downs Syndrome. He said "it doesn't mean that anymore".
-
I have heard there are now whole websites devoted to tearing down that lovely young woman law student at Georgetown University who testified as to the OTHER ways "birth control" pills are used for women's health issues and why it is necessary for insurance to make these medicines available. She spoke in particular of an aquaintance who has ovarian cancer, and these pills have been helpful with that disease.
But you see, men don't have ovaries. They don't get pregnant. So THEY are the experts who should be telling the "weaker sex" what they should and should not do.
I understand these vicious websites are headlining terrible lies about this young woman. One claims that SHE claimed she needs $3,000.00 a year worth of birth control pills. The actual truth is she has NEVER, EVER mentioned using these pills herself. She has never once, either in her testimony or in her interviews, spoken of her personal experience with using or needing birth control pills.
Where is the outrage? I hear some outrage, but why does not my sex FIGHT THIS BATTLE FOR ONCE AND FOR ALL? To WIN. It is not really about religion at all. It is about controling women.
-
It never ceases.. Women get the rap for the stupidest things.. Remember Anita at the Clarence Thomas Hearings.. She told the simple truth and got horrible things said about her.. I wonder if all men are secretly afraid of women and keep them down with such behavior.. Not all men,, but a large percentage. I have been told , especially by conservatives that I have no sense of humor in political stories. I dont like the type of smut they like to use.. Now I am seeing where liberals do terrible things in the name of politics, but I know few liberals who use the type of invective that Limbaugh tosses around.
-
I am just so sorry these medications ever got called "birth control" pills, because as this young woman pointed out to our congress, they are used for so very many different things. They are hormones. Hormones dictate so much of our health life.
I now have breast cancer, and the medication I am to be put on is anti-hormonal. To me, these men are the Boogey-Men hovering in the closet ready to pop out and deny my right to medications to save and/or improve and extend my life.
Messing with my LIFE! That is a threat to me. Why do not all women see this? They do get a fast sea change of the mind when they themselves or one of their daughters encounters a huge problem. But so many of my own sex absolutely refuse to believe we are in thrall to the whims of MEN!
-
MaryPage, I have often been appalled by the reasons that some young women give for not wanting to breast feed their children - they usually say they don't want to ruin their figures for their husbands. My own mother even said that to me, although I for once did my own thing and fed all three of them. I hasten to add that I know that there are many perfectly valid reasons why some women can't breastfeed, it's just this particular one that I find so irritating.
Rosemary
-
Oh, yes, JANE. I had a pretty good one myself. I was also able to call upon a certain
tone of voice that brooked no argument whatsoever. Great in emergencies or escalating
quarrels.
I don't hear the f- word much; perhaps it's used more around peers. But 'bitch' seems
to be totally acceptable now and is not considered an insult. In fact, some seem to
preen themselves a bit on being called a bitch. ???
I'm sorry to hear about the cancer, MARYPAGE. You make some very strong points there.
Would you consider addressing them to your congressional representatives? Especially the
points about 'birth control' being an inappropriate term for a medication that has so many
purposes, and about the attitude of the nay-sayers threatening your life and well-being.
-
Oh dear I would think twice about suggesting Contraceptive pills are not medication because that is just what those who want it not covered want to hear so that it stays a social and religious issue that has no place in a health bill. This is a health issue so whatever we do or do not call it, pill or vitamin, let's please allow women access to affordable full health without going back to how it was before the pill suggesting women had no right to sex unless they paid the price.
-
This is something I heard on tv this weekend regarding why so many Republicans won't stand up against Limbaugh.
It's not that Rush Limbaugh is a Republican
It's that Republicans ARE becoming more and more Rush Limbaugh.
MaryPage
So how are you enjoying going back on the Political boards. I refuse to go up against any of them.
-
There are a number of battles going on here, and all of them are due to a certain male mind set. Let me hasten to say my beloved husband agreed with me totally on these things and was as appalled as I.
There is the battle of men feeling threatened if they do not hold sway over women and their lives. The most recent ghastly example was the young mother in Phoenix, Arizona.
Another has been going on for centuries: science vis a vis religion. If the men who run religions have decreed thus and so to be Truth, and men of science come along and by long observation and testing find that Truth to be false, it is the men of science who get hung, burned at the stake, and scandalized in public. The history of mankind is full of this. Galileo, for instance. It took 400 years for the church to reverse itself and say yes, the Earth DOES revolve around the sun and not the other way round!
So the scientists who care for us and our children, our doctors, are screamed and hollared down when they offer us medical treatments to save our lives. And this is still going on in this 21st century. This almost 83 year old is aghast.
-
Since this is Women's History Month i will mention that we have a contraceptive/hormone pill thanks largely to two women and one man.
Of course, Margaret Sanger was the most outspoken advocate for women to be able to control the number of children she had. She was a public service nurse in NYC and frequently assisted doctors who were called to homes of women who were wornout from having so many pregnencies or who had tried to abort. Even though she had been trained as a nurse, she did not know how to prevent pregnancy. She learned how and she and her sister opened a clinic to teach women about their reproductive system and about contraceptive devices. Both she and her sister were jailed for sending "obscene" material through the mails or handing out drawings of women's reproductive system at lectures and in the clinic. They also both went on hunger strikes, gaining a lot of publicity about the issue of contraceptives. She also started the much maligned Planned Parenthood.
Kathryn McCormick, the 1st woman to graduate from MIT w/ a science degree, biologist,
suffragist and philanthropist gave Gregory Pincus almost all of the 2 million dollars he needed
for research and testing of the pill. He had trouble getting money from traditional funding
scources like universities because of their fear of the influence of the Catholic Church.
I think all women should be celebrating M Sanger's birthday, and men also.
Jean
-
Don't hold your breath waiting till the Roman Catholic Church changes its teachings on Sex and Marriage. It will take another Council, maybe called Vatican III and some new blood in the Curia as well as, another way of theorizing philosophy and theology.
Back during Vatican II Sex, Marriage and Population Control was a commission that readied its report after meeting several years with clergy, cardinals, lay people - When Vatican II got underway there were 16 commissions that because of time and money - they figured it had to be completed in less than 5 years - 8 of the commissions were cancelled.
Pope John XXIII opened Vatican II and died soon after. Pope Paul VI was more of an administrator and decided that the 8 had to go and he decided after some heavy politicking by the then Secretary of State to make sure 3 particular commissions never reached the floor - the one addressing Celibacy and the Priests role as Minister of the Faith - Contraception that was included in the commission on Sex, Marriage and Population Control and the final estocada [thrust of the sword] the commission to re-organize the Curia.
Frozen molasses moves faster then the Curia which is like in our Government a combo of - the Cabinet, the Supreme Court, the Pentagon and some aspects of our Senate. Remember it is only since the early 1900s that any of these positions including being a Cardinal required you had to be an ordained priest - often upon receiving the appointment you were ordained since Cardinals are suppose to control a Bishopric. All to say politicking is Uno in the church.
A good book to at lest read the reviews on the Amazon page The Politics of Sex and Religion: A Case History in the Development of Doctrine, 1962-1984 http://tinyurl.com/7scavqw
The next aspect of all this is looking and looking to find the crux of their stand on women's reproductive rights - rather than seeing this as a conflict between science and morality or ethics - it is all about theory in Philosophy.
This was a study a few of us embarked on a few years back that included reading at least 25 books and discussing the issues as we studied them with many in the Church as well as those who renounced their vows. I forgot some of it but in a nutshell it all comes down to an active, moving sperm and a still, waiting egg - those dynamics are tied to so many other basic philosophical theories on movement trumping stillness that they cannot get around those basics therefore, they have concluded the sperm trumps.
Here is a link that includes thoughts from Whitehead, the Anglican Theologian who is best known for the concept that 'God is becoming,' as the Universe expands so does God - this page is an example of the kind of thinking that goes into this stuff. http://tinyurl.com/7yxvjcc
-
I do not look for any changes in any of the world religions, for the simple fact that MEN RULE there.
What I want is to see the women rise up on their high heels and get out there en masse and kick butt. If the WOMEN, from 18 to 70 will scream long, loud, and without cease until the male facade crumbles, that would do it. Actually, the last time I descended upon Washington and joined the fray I was 75 years old! But now I am nearly 83 and have just about every ailment in the book. I cannot go. It is that simple. I cannot go.
But WHERE ARE THE WOMEN? Where, oh where, is the outrage? My great grandmother was a Suffragette. My father's sister was the first head of Planned Parenthood in Washington, D.C. and headed up the group that preceded PP, with the blessings of Margaret Sanger, one of whose letters to my aunt is proudly displayed on a wall of that outfit today. I worked for years and years against the glass ceiling and for lots of rights women of today are blissfully unaware we once did not have. And yes, I had to suffer all the attempts at seduction from the supposedly community pillars who believed any woman in the workplace was a whore and simply avid for their advances. In fact, they truly believed there were only 3 kinds of women: whores, madonnas and their own daughters.
It breaks my heart that I do not hear the roar of the women sweeping across this nation.
-
I'm with you, MaryPage!
-
Well said, Mary Page. I watched a program on CSpan2, about Margaret Sanger over the weekend. I just love the book's author. I ordered her book, and look forward to reading it.
I had 4, living grandmother's during my childhood. Two were great grandmothers! I asked one of them, "How did you prevent getting pregnant"? She told me she douched with rose petal water. It apparently worked some of the time, as she only had 3 children. The maternal, great grandmother, had 13 children.
Sheila
-
My thinking is that the women who know are deep in raising kids with a shaky economy and possible less income so that they have all they can do to hold their heads above water but they are making a difference in what products they are buying and they did bring about an uproar using twitter and facebook over Korman versus Planned Parenthood - the younger women have not figure it out - they can take care of themselves and that is what they do -
What really is the shocker is to see how many women vote for those who represents everything that keeps women in their place - as far as we have come but not far enough - I do not know if I am more angry and the idea of women voting for this stuff or at the men who keep it going. You would think they would be pleased to have their men free from worry and home rather than having to go elsewhere for about 10 days every month.
-
I think that the younger generation of women simply do not have the time or energy to fight the good fight, but they had better start thinking about it.. Our country seems to be in some sort of crisis that involves a good many people wanting to go back to the 50's.. They just have some sort of nostalgia and think that life was better of then.. It is sad and mistaken, but that is the feeling I get from the tea party group..
And no.. I dont want to hear that some liberals are worse then Limbaugh. They consider that horrid black man who will say anything for publicity as a liberal and he is not. He is simply a publicity hound.
-
I don't know who you are talking about, Steph.
But you are right, going back in history would make folk do without an awful lot of stuff. We would not be talking together in these forums. If we had 1950, no computers. No cell phones. Very few had TV yet, and that was black and white. Women were disrespected.
Those who want to return to the days of our Founding Fathers would find a rough period not unlike the "wild west." People took baths once a year. There were no bathrooms, only outhouses. Life expectancy was age 38; that was old. And yes, you can cite folk who lived to a ripe old age, but that does not change the fact that 38 was the median. Children died like fleas. Women stayed in their homes because it was not really safe for them to go out and about. There were no automobiles: only horses. Very few people had any education at all. We read about those who led the country, but the vast unwashed majority knew nothing of the world or government.
-
It's a pity to think that a woman's rights as a person can be canceled out by the
philosophical theories of some group of scholars, BARB. HOw did any philosophy
get to be supreme ruler? Their 'basics' appear to me badly flawed, ...as they probably
do to you as well.
-
I agree, BarbStAubrey, don't hold your breath waiting till the Roman Catholic Church changes its teachings on Sex and Marriage.
I'm sorry, but I find the Catholic Church's theology (as well as other religions) so very funny, except that it can work tragedy on people who take it seriously.
A case in point, was the Commission of some thirty Catholic theologians from around the world who were called to the Vatican in 2004 to begin a study on the urgent quetion of what happens to babies who die before being baptized -- do they go into hell (as Augustine said), or a sort of limbo, or directly to heaven. They finally issued a 44-page statement in October, 2006. The answer: they go to heaven. Whew! That's a load off my mind. BTW, the statement said that the decision covers those "babies" who become human immediately after conception. Whew, again!
Marj
-
I am not understanding what the problem with the Birth control Pill and Insurance is about. Maybe not read all what was said in the papers and on TV.
We have the large U of Ill here along with a good size Junior 2 year college both have big Clinics. Birth control can be gotten both place for Free. Even Condoms for the men are free. I am sure you have to fill in a form. Along with that we have 2 Free Health Clinics. If earning under 18 thousand Single 32 Married with a child again the can be had for free. No churches. or anyone else involved. Even have 2 abortion clinics that women can go and talk to. Available if want abortion.
So why are Catholic Universities so involved. If a student is Catholic then her own conscience should tell her what to do. I have known many Catholic women over the years on the Pill.
Can not understand now how women can become pregnant if they don't want to.
Back in the 60s we didn't have as much info. we used common sense. Did not want more we made sure didn't. This was even that way back in parents. My mother went from the 1920s and only had one child every 4 years. (3). She had to know something. Grandmother only 3 spread apart.
They men should keep out of this what should be a personal thing between women. If they are against the pill. Marching in front of Abort Clinics then they should do what they can do in order to slow down Population
-
Has anyone yet read the new book out by " Tatian De Rosnay" The House I loved? I really enjoyed her Sarah's Key. Looking forward to finding the new one.
-
Oh Jeanne this could so easily become a discussion on aspects of religion and politics but it is what we are thinking about today and assuming our library here on Senior learn as a coffee shop where we can chat a minute about the issues of the day and even find a book or two that would enlighten us I will simply say some Catholic colleges do have clinics with free or at least you can order and pay for birth control products where as, others do not and the issue seems to be around the Catholic institutions that hire folks and where the insurance covers for instance Viagra not contraceptive pills.
When all this hit the press some Catholic Institutions that were covering birth control are now peddling backward because their Institution is run by an order that is under a local Bishop rather than an order that is separate from the local Bishop therefore, some have to follow the straight line viewpoint taken up by their local Bishop.
That is what many do not realize that some orders were granted permission from a Pope to build an order with their own rules of conduct even to their own Liturgy and Traditions - almost like Ford or GM incorporates in a certain state and is subject to the laws but no one from the state tells Ford or GM how to run their company or what to produce as long as it is within the law and they treat their employees as the law requires. The same with some orders example most of the Benedictines and the Carmalites - where as some orders their Abbot or Mother Superior is even chosen by the Bishop.
And so, to know and have friends who are Catholics is not seeing one blanket viewpoint - plus in western nations most women - I think they shared recently as many as 98% of Catholic women in the US - use the pill regardless what the church says. Young women realize the expense is no longer cheap and the pill is part of their life for 40 years - it is a health issue and if Viagra is considered a health issue for men than why is Contraception still being tossed about like a football.
-
marjifay I saw that and I always end up quickly flipping the page - after all these years it is still a hot button for me - all this about when life begins and I do not see them stationing a priest outside clinics - not even in hospitals to Baptize these so called infants.
I had 3 miscarriages when I was young and wide eyed - I had two children very quickly - 9 months and 6 weeks to the day between their births and then a series of mis-carrages - the first after I was 3 and half months pregnant - sure I was upset and alone - no family around - husband taking care of our two little ones and all I could think of, like a mama bear was if this child that I never saw, was Baptized.
The priest said no, he couldn't - then he tried [he was nice] [I was all of 23] to describe the bloody mess so that he said there really wasn't anything to Baptize - then the "Lifers" started with the graphic posters in the 80s insisting on these perfectly formed fetuses so that I was very confused, hurt, and became angry - till I learned that these posters are a bunch of lies but still the idea of the church suggesting they are true and they want the fetus to be considered a child but, not good enough to be Baptized - come on...
-
My experience was the same. My first child was born with the cord around its neck. Dead at birth. Had been dead in the womb for a couple of weeks, and they knew that, but they made me wait and go into labor naturally. The way they thought in 1949. Anyway, my mother-in-law wanted the baby baptized and buried, but the church said absolutely not. A priest told her not to be upset: the baby would go into "Limbo" forever and ever. A nun told her there was a special nursery for babies in Limbo and the Blessed Mother covered them with her blue cloak. There was no "personhood" back then, but then again girlfriends, this was BEFORE THE PILL! Think about it! By the way, the baby was a perfectly formed little boy, over 7 months along.
I swear to the above. That is precisely the way it was.
But I am arguing with Barbara and anyone else who says this is all about Religion. It is not. Look again. Take a good long look at the history since the time of shamans. This is a WAR AGAINST WOMEN pure and simple and the men, all men involved whatever name their religion is known by, are waging that war to keep us under their thumbs and to control our bodies and lives and not allow us the freedom to do so ourselves with the assistance of the medical practices we choose to go to.
-
Could be MaryPage - however, I see from Shamans onward it is tied to religion and since the government of most areas of the world was the religions - China it was Confucianism - heck to be hired you had to study all 5 books and test up till Mao- in Byzantium it was the Eastern and Greek Orthodox - in Europe till the fourteenth century it was the Holy Roman Empire just another set of words for the church - that still maintained a strong presence in high office in many European nation-states till the French Revolution. Not all religions started out all male but they sure were in the majority and the theology of these religions kept it going with all their proofs -
Women can do what we will but before we get a fair shake with funds backing our interests we need a government that is not controlled by religious thinking - and as long as other issues that are represented by religions and continue as the engines behind political initiative we are saddled by these church views.
I just think if the Catholic Church, that does still seem to have influence over so many, would revisit what they had already acknowledged with a commission so that we all thought it was eminent that birth control made sense for an over populated world as well as, for the practical among married folks then we would see a seismic movement that will legitimize what women are doing without the so called blessings of men in government or in religion.
Just ask as I have why no women priests and the first answer out of their mouth in a whispered conspiratorial tone is because of our monthly and how could that happen on an alter. They are whit-lipped with fear about a woman's body but more I see they do not understand their own body either - it is like they wish the body did not exist when they are in their spiritual mode and in their political mode again, they want to do it all with the mind.
I can understand how in 1962-3-4-5 they were not going to talk about sex out-loud in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome among 2800+ men - by now have they come far enough along that a commission could enacted and heard. If for no other reason than the world's population is too large for its resources. That is my hope or else only secular governments without any religious views and then we have the individual citizen to make that happen - where do you place your bet...
-
My point, Barbara, is that you and I are wishing for precisely the same outcome, but looking in entirely different directions in how we see the landscape.
As I read it, you see the religions of this world as inhibiting the freedom of women to make their own decisions about their bodies. Each religion, today, having a book and a body of all male leadership and a huge bunch of rules insisting that "God Says," even though there is no evidence whatsoever that God ever said any of this. You seem to me to be putting the blame on, fingering as it were, the religion itself.
I say this is not the picture. The truth is MEN are desperate to keep women from making their own decisions. Men are desperate to keep total control over women. Ergo, they are hiding behind the SHIELD of religion! They are trying to pull off the deceit that it is God Who has these rules, not them, oh lord no, not the poor darling downtrodden men! God wants women to be subservient to men and made them to be so. And for thousands of years they have managed to convince women this is the Truth! It is not the religions, Barbara! They are simply the storytale. It is the MEN themselves stomping on the independence of womankind.
-
Did you hear about the wonderful woman in the Virginia Legislature who has introduced a bill which mandates that any man who wants to use Viagra or its like medications must FIRST attend a lecture on what precisely the use of such a drug does to the male member in the matter of creating a prolonged erection and what the habitual use of this pill can do to their overall health? I LOVE IT!!!!!
Watch MSNBC around the clock. It gives you all of this stuff, which almost no other news source does. Also, eight women legislators walked out of the Georgia legislature this morning when the men introduced 2 more anti-female bills.
Notice no one is doing anything about jobs. A female congresswoman pointed out that the brand new U.S. congress which was voted in in 2010 to create jobs put all their time on introducing their first two highly touted bills: one about abortion and one about contraception!
-
Mrs. Romney says that women aren't interested in all that stuff. They're just interested in jobs. Obviously, she isn't listening to the same folks that we are. And not just women, either - she should listen to my husband.
-
Well today is International Women's Day. Roooaaaarrrrr Sisters!!!!
A male acquaintance was most upset when he found out that there was a particular day for women internationally. He asked me: "Why isn't there an International Men's Day?" I answered: "There is. The rest of the days in the year".
MaryPage: You are invincible and σ'αγαπώ.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
:D :D ;) Of course MaryPage we can keep this going 8) - and yes, I think you are right about the basics - it is men against women for power - all I am saying if we want to crack that premise we need to recognize the men organized and surrounded their organizing with rules and tradition and ceremony and whatever else they could throw in, creating a powerful movement to "right" behavior - their movements were well organized and made an appeal to the average that is so strong that we feel today that most of their tenants are good for us therefore, it is difficult to figure out where one tenant and the other stops - they all seem to be joined at the hip so to speak - and so again, my thinking is still, if we are going to stop a major viewpoint that is wrapped within these tenants, rules, traditions I just do not see one by one as individuals, men or women having an affect - only by attacking or convincing the organizations that there is a benefit to their changing will it happen.
The way woman were able to push back now was because we finally have a significant pocketbook with a significant percentage of women working in again, to use the word, significant career jobs. And yes, keeping women tied to their reproductive organs keep them from massing in large numbers into politics where we do not have the significance in power and numbers to push back.
We need a civil rights movement for women but that makes men the enemy and loving couples especially married with family couples are caught on that idea - We look at our sons, our grandsons, our brothers or other male family members and we could not imagine making them the enemy with marches against them so who are these men that want to control women - it seems to me it is a mind set that like a legacy is within even our sons, brothers and maybe even our grandsons - they may not champion this viewpoint but they recognize its existence and feel caught about fighting on our behalf - they will say there are other more important things and besides, whatever is legislated we can take care of it ourselves in our own bedroom.
I also see that even in this forward thinking Democracy there is too much of every government that is tied to the values of the dominate and historical Church in that part of the world so that to me the religions are still the core of it - Alone men are not the enemy - massed in organized groups under the mantel of an organization that includes accepted behavior as part of the culture, tied to the hip is the dominate religion that to me is what needs to be attacked rather than our men.
OK peace - I know we agree and we are seeing this from different angels and angles – I think we are simply seeing the enemy coming from different faces.
-
I am sorry Mary Page. I was having a senior moment.. Al Sharpton is the man that they are calling the voice of the liberals and he certainly is not my voice and never will be. He is an opportunist. I shudder when people use him as an example of liberals being horrible. Ugh.
I think that religon (organized) and men share in the put down of women. But there have been some cultures that do not.. There are a few matriarch cultures. No idea how they consider men at all..
-
I remember those misleading posters and films, BARB. Our pastor showed one of the films
and I went to him afterward and explained that the film was misleading, and why. He
was upset and decided not to show it again. I have no patience or sympathy with groups
that push their views with lies and half-truths.
I also had two miscarriages. Bless you, I could not help but think those two first
pregnancies, so close together, probably didn't allow you enough time to recover. With
the sad result of the later losses. My problem was simply a weakness in the womb wall,
which would tear once the baby grew too heavy. When a doctor finally figured that out,
he was able to prevent further miscarriages.
-
We vote people into office to run our city, county, state and nation. We expect them to look at and study and analyse and figure out how to make us all safe from war, terrorism, murder and mayhem, poisoned air, water and soil, traffic and roads, all crime and so on. We do NOT expect them to place their focus on, indeed, to pay any heed whatsoever, to the female body and its reproductive functioning.
On the contrary, I would like to expect my statesmen to protect me from undue intrusion into my private bodily functions!
We look to our favorite flavor of religion to give us solace and direct us comfortably in our spiritual life. We look for comfort and consolation and hope.
I do not want my religion poking into matters concerning my vagina.
-
I think you have hit a nail on the head MaryPage - we do not expect - there is a world of difference between what we expect and reality - we may look at religion to offer solace but history has shown religion is simply an organization with rules for behavior along with traditions, ceremony, hierarchy and if you look at even your local chapel/congregation you see politics at play -
We have been reading how there are many who have caught onto what organized religion really offers and therefore, have turned to other ways of nourishing their spiritual nature - but that is another discussion -
Organized religion didn't recently get into the fray with the Far Right - Organized religion had been "The" government for thousands of years - Still is - in places like Iran just as it was after Constantine in Rome and in Egypt thousands of years before that.
We have to start somewhere - Many women agree with you MaryPage that the health, mental and emotional welfare of women needs to be respected rather than thought of as simply the bread basket for population with maybe a few other skills; but Reality needs to trump which will exclude our expectation of justice, kindness, respect from others, as if they are capable of more than satisfying their emotional needs, their concept of "right" behavior and their wants - A few quotes that to me say it.
"There is everything you know and there is everything that happens. When the two do not line up, you make a choice.”
― Mitch Albom, For One More Day
“There were two ways to be happy: improve your reality, or lower your expectations”
― Jodi Picoult, Nineteen Minutes
“I mean, like most guys, you carry around this girl in your head, who is exactly who you want her to be. The person you think you will love the most. And every girl you are with gets measured against this girl in your head.”
― Rachel Cohn, Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
-
Great discussion Barbara and MaryPage. I agree w/ everything you both said.....is that possible? :D. You two seem to think you were disagreeing about process, i think you just layered the organization of an institution to support their goals on top of the seeking of power by some men. We need to be vigilent to protect ourselves from both situations.
And Margifay, i loved this statement of yours..."They finally issued a 44-page statement in October, 2006. The answer: they go to heaven. Whew! That's a load off my mind. BTW, the statement said that the decision covers those "babies" who become human immediately after conception. Whew, again!" ;D
The idiocy of people wasting so much time and energy over issues that nothing can be done about, just to let everyone else know how important they are. We're seeing it everyday now in
our Congress and in the campaign. I don't know how they can live with themselves or how
they don't realize how idiotic they appear. They're behaving like 15 yr old boys. "you're a
jerk!" "no, you're the jerk" "I'm stealing your hat, just to show you i'm in control!" "well, i
dated your girl......." ...........etc,etc!
I had the interesting experience of working for the Dept of Army for 16 years, a very male-dominated institution and then went to work for a Visiting Nurse Assoc, a 99% woman operation. The women there kept sating things that were so anti-women. Theytalked about how competitive women were and how they gossiped and how unbusinesslike they were and that men NEVER acted like that. I frequently said to different grouos of them "believe me, men do all tjose things and often much more confrontationally and agressively." the interesting thing is in 16 yrs, i never heard the guys at DoA put down the whole male gender. They may take on each other and demean individuals, but thay didn't denigrate their whole gender as women often do. I think we have drunk their cool-aid about female negative stereotypes.
Human beings are so interesting
-
Thats interesting. I h ad never thought about women intentionally putting down other women, but when I sit and consider, you are right. I wonder why we do that to ourselves.. Have we bought into we are the inferior race?? Hmm.
-
They may take on each other and demean individuals, but they didn't denigrate their whole gender as women often do.
My thinking is woman feel abandoned - we watched our Mother's navigate as best they could and it did not give us an example of someone who really had power that we could emulate or feel rock bottom secure. And so the little kid in us still thinks our mother's 'coulda-shoulda' done a better job therefore, women who are less than competent, powerful, or puts us at risk to be less than perfect sets off an alarm that we are on our own - that we have to navigate not only the male dominate power but all the paths and secrets used by women to take care of themselves - and so a bit of anger pops out in the safest way possible by condemning with exaggeration, "ALL".
-
I don't think we put all women down, do we? Trying to think how.
It depresses me how economically stuck the vast majority of my generation still is. Al of my friends (me included) earn a pittance compared to our husbands (although my data might be a bit skewed by the fact that most of our husbands work in the oil industry, - so few women are engineers (another issue) that I suppose it is inevitable that few women earn equal money in Aberdeen). Of my friends that are separated/divorced, the only ones not in difficult financial situations are those whose ex-husbands are still paying for most things - the women simply don't have the means to make the money.
I am about to meet up with a friend who had no choice but to leave her abusive, violent husband after a long marriage. he has somehow managed to avoid paying anything at all in maintenance for the children, never mind her. She works full time as a social worker and struggles. She knows she will have to move from their very modest house when she retires because she won't be able to afford the upkeep. She is a wonderful person, always positive and cheerful, but I think it is so unfair that he has managed to put her in this position - he meanwhile is sitting in a huge house worth a lot of money.
It is a terrible struggle for women to manage on their own unless they are in highly paid jobs, which are far rarer for women than for men. My neighbour has recently returned to full time work, persuaded to do so by her husband, who says they can't manage without her income. They have two children, aged 11 and 13, and they have not really arranged any after school/holiday care for them. As a result, and with some justification, some of the neighbours feel very put upon, as they seem to be expected to provide the care - but no-one sees this as the fault of both parents, it is the mother who is universally condemned as not having "sorted things out".
Rosemary
-
Human beings are so interesting.
What a tactful way to put it, JEAN. 8)
ROSEMARY, I hope you know a really good divorce lawyer who could help out your friend
with the toad ex-husband. (Pro bono would probably be necessary.) It's a shame that so many
men with money get away with this kind of thing. What are the laws in England regarding
wife abuse? Could she still bring charges against him for that? I really hate to see
people get away with things like this. Are there women's support groups that could help?
-
Babi the laws do not help a darn thing - the cross examination either in court or in the attorney's office as they poiund out a settlement is so withering and brutal that most women cry 'uncle' because they are taken down to the nub and think they can do it alone just to preserve some dignity.
If the guy is a batterer he is most probably abusing the kids and that cannot be brought into the arrangement for financial divisions unless it was proved in court and that means, you have your kids, who you want to protect going through a cross examination that even if their statement and cross exam takes place in a special room it is still brutal and it is asking the kids to take sides that is traumatic for them. Regardless the abuse most kids cannot relinquish a connection and a fantasy expectation of future good from a parent.
To add to the injustice - since none of that is part of the arrangement often - too often - the judge awards equal or partial unsupervised visits with the kids and their so called father. So you have to calmly regardless, of your fear and rage, train your kids how to protect themselves and who to call - Then if the father up and moves to a different part of the country that requires the kids to travel there is the risk they won't come back -
Most often the kids are nothing but a pawn to this guys rage at having lost because that is what they think - the divorce is a loss that everyone feels but their ability to take that loss seems less mature - or they are simply playing out their controlling competitive spirit even if they have another woman.
Having a law means nothing...
-
There are some really GREAT attorneys out there now who have highly successful techniques for getting the best possible results for their female clients. Most of these are women, but some are men.
-
Mary. And most of them are in States where it is Community property. Splits down the middle. Attorneys make out good on those. Our state does not have it. Most will now fight for the one they think they can bill more hours on. Suppose still a few out there that will not charge as much. Not know any lately. They are mostly in partnerships anymore and have to make money
-
NOT good in community property states either - I can give you a litany of names of women who have been burned and some you would not believe - I am on that list and we are a community property state - we do not like to hear this and there are I am sure many enlightened courts and attorneys - it would be so great to have a list of them for each state - the one lawyer who was good at helping here when I was going through all this was so over booked she recommended another and I was burned.
None of this is comfortable to hear and it is easy to minimize it since we know we are always walking on ice that it could be someone we care about that goes through the experience however, our not wanting to hear and tackle these difficulties keeps us from being a support to each other. I do admit when you have no clue how to make a change in a system it is hard to keep hearing of the abuses within the system.
I think the biggie is not the courts and the lawyer skills but the emotional drain and the protective nature we have toward our children and the desire to feel we can take care of ourselves rather than what feels like fighting with someone who injured you or your kids and that is what they use as their whipping stick - our integrity.
-
Rosemary, you and i may not put down ALL women, but in this Visiting Nurse Agency, where i would suppose only a minority of women there would consider tbemselves feminists- largely because they have bought the Rush Limbaugh rant against "feminazis- i heard it almost everyday, even, and maybe, especially by the managers. I was stunned! How could you be a woman who has studied and worked primarily w/ women and have such prejudice against women!?! Well, as i said, i think they had bought the mass media -this was in 1995 & 96- and societies' negative sterotypes about women and because they hadn't worked in male dominated agencies, they believed the positive sterotypes that men are more organized, more businesslike, less snarky, more goal oriented, less gossipy, etc. Believe me! I worked for DofA for 13 yrs, 90% of my co-workers and superiors were men........there is very little difference, except that men have much greater competition build into them. There egos are often much more fragile then many women i have worked with.
My classic example was that at one point the Chief-of-staff was a 6'7" full bird colonel -the highest rank before "general". In the hierarchy of the installation, he had authority over a 6'5" Company Commander, but the Co Cmmdr had seniority in terms of time in rank. In other words in a situation outside the installation, the Co Cmdr would have outranked the CofS. So
in staff mtgs where the C of S had authority, they had a constant running battle on almost
every subject that came up. As one woman captain said to me "we're wasting an hour a week on a p...ing contest." and that mgt was full of the highest ranking people om post, so it was a
lot of wasted time and resources.
Jean
-
IPAD lovers.. I love Playrix games. I have at least four on the IPAD and enjoy them..
I know some opposite cases. We have a female shark attorney where I lived for many years. She has female clients who have really gotten more than their fair share of alimony and child support.. It is like a personal mission to her.. But she satisfied clients.. But since I know her as a human.. she is a mess personally..She loves much much younger men,, buys them expensive toys and then cant figure why they eventually disappoint her. How she can be so bright in court and so dumb in personal life has always intrigued me.
-
Steph I seem to be arguing with everyone in the past few days - I know this issue has me by the tail - please - my being so contrary has nothing to do with any of you - it is the issue - here of late hearing our intimate life details batted around and getting smacked like a baseball is humiliating and it is making me feel like all women are expected to walk through fire just because we are women.
I am so glad there is some who are getting an equitable settlement - but it seems to me to be a shame that there are only a handful of attorneys in each area rather than it being the norm - and as to your friends personal life - I wonder other than a knowing smile and a shake of the head if she were a guy would you have the same opinion of him if he dated around younger "trophy" women and purchased them gifts etc.
-
Barbara, I am with you. Seriously and sincerely, I am with you.
THIS IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE:
The life history of each female of our species:
1. birth to age 18, her body the business of her mother or female guardian, her doctors, and to some degree herself.
2. age 18 to marriage, her body the business of herself and her doctors.
3. marriage to husband's death, her body the business of herself, her doctors and her husband.
4. NEVER is her body subject to any interference or rules or regulations from church or state.
-
You said it MaryPage - yes, you said it as it should be - problem for generations I think women knew how it should be but we still do not seem to be able to get what should be to what is... I think it is going to take more risk and courage than I ever imagined -
I just heard from my good friend who did go to Mass this morning and lo and behold during the homily again about birth control, a women stood up and gave a women's logic and point of view right out loud and then sat down - she said the silence in the chapel was deafening and the priest went on as if there was no interruption - after Mass only a few stayed around outside with a knowing smile while the majority simply drove off. Now that was either courage or someone that has had enough and could care little for protocol.
-
Sorry you're having such problems, Barb. You can ALWAYS vent here!
-
Thanks MaryZ - looks like once I realize what is going on I can calm down - but I was really going for a couple of days - ah so and such is life...
-
Barb, I just hate that you (or any woman) has to go through that sort of thing. My sister pretty well got screwed over in her divorce in the early 1970s.
-
She (the lawyer) obviously finds fleeting happiness with younger men - I say go for it girl!!!
-
Well Barb, I truly would have a very low opinion of a male who was that silly as well as my friend. My feelings however concern the fact, that each time, she falls deeply in love according to her , moves in and has been known to marry a few of them.. and then boom.. Its not the young that bothers me, its the fact that they are always the same type.. Handsome, vain, stupid,,and not even a little in love with her.. Sad..
My body is my business. Always has been, always will be. I have strong opinions about abortion , because I had a friend when I was a teen, who had two and I drove her to both. I remember her pain.. the fact we were doing something illegal..the secretiveness, I particularly dislike that abortion is still considered a problem for women, but they sure couldnt get that way except for help from a male..Babies are produced from two people. but the idea of this stupid.. Hold an aspirin between your knees.. Hah.. like they are not the cause as well. Nuts.
-
Bottom line, women in this country still need to stand up and be of ONE VOICE and settle the question (which should not even exist) once and for all:
We own our own bodies. We deserve the freedom and the full right to complete privacy as to the choices we make regarding our individual bodies and the reproductive systems they contain. Each of us must be firmly of the conviction that neither the State nor the Church can make any judgment whatsoever as to what we may or not do with our own bodies.
Until we win that battle for all time, we are no better than sex slaves. We are without dignity. We are cowed.
If we do not believe the situation is as I describe, then we should stop for just a moment and consider the five Old Men who were asked to testify before the congress on female contraception! Five Old Men!
Then, when one 30-year old woman was asked to testify by the opposition, she was branded a whore and a slut. No where, NO WHERE in all of her testimony or in interviews since did she ever mention her own use or non use of contraceptives. She has spoken only of the many ways OTHER THAN contraception these medications are of medicall use.
-
Oh Mary Page. , you said it so well. I agree with every word and will never ever understand why men think they should be in charge of our bodies. It is my experience, that a good many men cannot seem to control their own.. or power goes to their heads and they simply assume that all women will fall at their feet..
-
One thing that has both amused and irritated me, is the males who feel the little woman should
do all she can to keep herself looking great for him, but feels no necessity whatever to keep
himself in shape for her. :P
-
BABI: right on!
-
Oh Babi, that is funny. I had a husband who was the opposite..Very very fussy about his weight and general condition..Another one of the reasons that I simply cannot imagine dating.
I finished On Agate Hill. If you treasure the south and its people, you wll love the book.. Lee Smith loves where she lives and this is also a hymn to parts of North Carolina as well as a compelling story. Molly is a great leading character.. I loved her and hated the book to end.
-
Unfortunately, my local library doesn't have the book, STEPH. I do plan to check out the county
library, too, and see whether someone might have posted the book in the PB Swap Club. I know
almost nothing about North Carolina, except it's supposed to be lovely countryside. I'd love to
meet Molly.
-
Actually I got the book from the paperback swap club. But I wont be returning it soon. I have a daughter in law who wants to read the book..
I am back on the Barbara Hambly.. Wet Graves.. Almost finished. I like her series on Benjamin January, but it is grim in spots.
-
I admit I couldn't get through a Benjamin January book.
-
I love the books, but they are grim in places. Still the lives of free coloured and how New Orleans worked is fascinating to me.
-
For those of you who love historical fiction, I would highly recommend "Peony in Love" by Lisa See. She is the author of "Snowflower and the Secret Fan" which was made into a movie. Both good books but Peony is quite different as the author uses fantasy to tell her story.
While doing research on another book, much to Lisa See's surprise, she finds that in the 1600's, in China's Yangzi Delta, there were thousands of women authors who were published. And not only that, but many were professional woman writers who not only wrote for large public audiences but also supported their families with their written words. Although the women were mostly wealthy, having bound feet and living in seclusion.
The author wonders why she has never heard about them before now. Why haven't we all been aware of these women?
If you want to read this book, please read the Author's Note at the end of the book on page 275 BEFORE you read the story. Please!!!
-
I like Lisa See and have read most of her books. I particularly like the series she does on the Red Princes and Princesses. Seems the aristocracy in China is the children and grandchildren of the original followers..
I had a young friend who is chinese. She loves Lisa and adores Shanghai Girls. She says that is the story of her life..
-
How intriguing, ANNIE. Thousands of unkown women authors, and from early 17th century
China! Was it mostly poetry, I wonder. I simply must go dig into this and see what I can
find.
-
I really liked this book as you can see but after rereading the Author's notes and book cover's flaps, I think that just reading those flaps is sufficient for your pre-reading. But don't miss the notes after you read it.
Also, this is historical/fiction and there is a fair amount of fantasy/dreams but so delightful to read. So artfully crafted that you just sink into the story and let it carry you along. The author did a tremendous amount of research, as mentioned all through her notes and her credits.
Babi,
I think that much poetry was published but if a woman is supporting her family, wouldn't she need to write something longer? Maybe a whole book of poetry.
Its so nice to know that I am not the only one who enjoys Lisa See's writings.
Stephanie,
Thanks for mentioning "Shanghai Girls" as I had not read it and didn't know it was biographical. I will reserve at my library today. :)
-
I dont think that Shanghai Girls is biographical for Lisa See, but my young friend who manages a chinese restaurant and raises two little girls by herself feels it is biographical for her.. She actually was married to a shadow son..
-
STEPH, now you must tell me what a 'shadow son' is! You quite woke me up with
that intriguing little morsel.
-
Yes, Stephanie]
What is a shadow son?
I liked this book so much that I am thinking of putting it up in the Suggestions folder. It would make a good group discussion what with the successful women in China in the 17th century plus perusing all the myths and rules that these women lived by. Just reading her description of foot binding raised my eyebrows. And their diet is so different! The book is easy to get at the library. Mine has 25 copies of this title.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Has anyone read Cutting for Stone? It got rave reviews, but I'm finding it very difficult to get into.
I just finished Major Pettigrew's Last Stand (highly recommend) and Unbroken (recommended, but be careful - has violent parts.)
Nancy
-
According to Shanghai Girls.. A shadow or ghost son.. Immigration from China was severely restricted for a long long time. However many males who were citizens would go and swear that certain people were their sons, left behind in China when they emigrated.. The sons would then come to the states as a relative and could be citizens. They were illegal of course and the country tried to find them and send them back.. Shanghai girls has a plot that hangs on this. My young friend came to the US at 17 to marry , sight unseen a man who was a shadow son. He abandoned her when her second child was born. She moved to Florida all by herself and supports herself and her daughters. She has never been able to get a divorce, since she has no idea where he is. She has bought a house, runs a very prosperous little restaurant and I love to talk to her.
-
I read "Cutting for Stone", NANCY, and liked it very much. You might be intrigued to
checkinto the author. He is remarkable. I believe in some respects the main character
is modeled on him.
Thanks for the explanation of "shadow son", STEPH. This is all new info. to me. I wonder
if those already in America used the practice to bring over relatives, or if perhaps some were
paid to do it. Both, I would suppose.
-
Of course, I remember now, 'shadow sons'! I read Shanghai Girls about a year ago. So much for my memory!
Ella recommended "Cutting for Stone" to me last year and I forgot about it as I was in the middle of Malcolm Gladwell's books at the time, "Blink". Anyone read that? The man's supposition are very different but fun to consider.
-
I've started another light read as an antidote to my accounting studies. It is called House of a Thousand Candles, don't recall the author's name just now. Essentially it is one of those stories where the protagonist inherits, but only if he completes a request first. In this case, the request is to live in a house out in Indiana for one year. The house is quite unfinished or unfurnished, apparently, except for a few rooms, one of which is a library. The library is filled floor to ceiling with only one subject matter - architecture. The person inheriting is a young man who hasn't settled down yet and has squandered his money on traveling and revelry. Near the house is a girl's school run by nuns to which the deceased had been a regular donor/sponsor. The young man finds the butler rather disconcerting and has not been in the house for more than a few hours before someone takes a pot shot at him through a window. I am enjoying it.
-
I just finished one of the the best books I've read so far this year: THE PLEASURE OF MY COMPANY by Steve Martin. It's a short book (163 pp) about a loveable young man who has an obsessive-compulsive disorder with many strange and funny habits which, as he says, keeps the demons away. He is also very intelligent in certain ways (give him a future or past date and he instantly knows the day of the week on which it falls; he can quickly devise a "magic square" in which the numbers across and down all add up to the same number, etc). You will laugh a lot at his thoughts and behavior, you may have a tear in your eyes at times, but you will love him. I know I did.
Frybabe, I had to laugh at your reading a good book as an antidote to your accounting studies. I was the same way when taking my business minor courses--had to read something to get away from those d..n boring classes. The books for my anthropology major were much more interesting. House of a Thousand Candles sounds good -- I put it on my TBR list.
Marj
-
I have been struggling with Blackbird.. It is a memoir, but there is no way this woman could remember in all that detail things from when she was four..So I suspect a good deal of it is "Maybe". An odd book, so I read a bit and then change off to something that is an easier read. Lazy..
-
Marj, House of a Thousand Candles is written by Meredith Nickolson and published in 1905. I downloaded the free ebook from Manybooks.net.
-
That does sound intriguing, FRYBABE. An unfinished and mostly unfurnished house, with a library full of books on architecture. Not to mention a disconcerting butler. Sounds like fun. "The Lovable Young Man" sounds good, too, MARJ. I hope my library has them.
Not 'lazy', STEPH. It's a very sensible way to approach a book that you want to
read but does not lend itself to long sessions. I've read many a good book that I
could not have managed without a break in other directions.
-
I have written down all the suggestions for the last day or two.
Marg,
The description of your book sounds very similar to one that I read last month for my f2f group. Entitled "Born On A Blue Day" is story of a young man who sees colors for everything. He is autistic but functioning thanks to his stalwart parents of six children. He has a mathmatical memory and does incredible things like taking pi out to almost inifnity and other unbelievable things. He also does the date thing plus other. He lives with his partner and runs a business on the internet. I believe he is about 30 now and he is asked to do the pi thing for different math groups. I believe he lives in England. He wrote this book himself. Did your young man? That would be non-fiction. Oh well, we can talk about it here anyway. I will see if my library has it. By the way the square sounds and looks like Soduko.
-
BORN ON A BLUE DAY sounds very interesting, AdoAnnie. I have not read it.
THE PLEASURE OF MY COMPANY is a short novel by Steve Martin. It reads as tho' it was written by the young obsessive-compulsive man in the story, but it is fiction. Steve Martin has such talent: comedian, actor, writer, musician. Have you heard his great banjo playing?
Marj
-
I found House of a Thousand Candles to be published in 1866 with some later publishing dates of 1901 and 1905 - you can read it online with Amazon - Free - it is all there when you click the line that says: Search inside this book. Sounds like a delightful read and I think the message is you can do great things with what you have in front of you even if there is not a buffet to choose from - If that is one of the underlying messages it would be a good one for now with folks feeling we are more limited rather than like a few years ago when we felt everything and anything was at our fingertips.
-
Here is an interesting site that has info about Nickolson and shows the illustrations from the original book, which I do not have in my ebook edition. http://www.culver.lib.in.us/house_thousand_candles.htm Several sites say that this was one of the top ten best sellers in 1906.
-
Frybabe I bet what I saw 1866 was the date of the author's birth because more research and round this really nice web page with his bio that does include the dates of his various books
http://iwp.iweb.bsu.edu/IndianaAuthors/Pages/Nicholson,%20Meredith.html
Wow looks like he had his doctorate in Letters and in Law and the book it appears was published in 1905.
-
Since I have been down in the dumps for the past few days. Dragged out a saved Terry Pratchett.. They are guaranteed to make me laugh and realize that life is short, best to laugh hard.
-
he is a good one for a laugh - for me to break a mood I read the exploits of Agatha Raisin - granted a cozy but she to me as a character is so funny and often hits the nail on the head with her aging and inadequacy coverups...
-
Interesting article on how reading fiction effects our brains and what we learn from it.....
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/18/opinion/sunday/the-neuroscience-of-your-brain-on-fiction.html?pagewanted=1&_r=3&sq=Your brain on fiction&st=Search&scp=1
Steph - I hope your mood is better and you found something to laugh about in your reading.
Jean
-
Steph and Barb, another author for a laugh is Tamar Myers, especially her early books in the Penn Dutch series. Also, I like to reread Anne George's books. They are always good for a laugh. They are both mysteries, but sometimes the mystery get lost in the humor.
-
I loved the Anne George "mysteries"!!! Hadn't thought about her in a long time and just checked with my library. No new ones listed. :(
I've not known about Tamar Myers, but there are some of hers listed - and quite a few are in my branch of the metro system. :D
-
Anne George did not start writing until late in life and died when the last book was barely finished. Sad, she was a fun writer.
I am dragging myself up to some sort of humor..Everything technical in the house managed to implode yesterday,, so I spent the day doing catch up.
This Pratchett is decidedly odd.. I am slogging through it and may stop for a while. Shame.. he always has had the ability to make me laugh, but this one is sort of weird. I guess in the end it is about football??? and how different people can be????
-
Sadly, when Anne George died there were no more books. Unlike so many writers who die with completed scripts waiting to be published or incomplete ones that someone else finishes, Anne had neither. I own most of her books and have read all of them. Loved them all.
I must look up Terry Pratchett. I feel sure our library will have some of his books. Have read some of the earlier Agatha Raisin books. They are a hoot.
Not in the mystery genre, but my first taste of real humor in books was Richard Armour's books. The only title I can remember is It All Started with Shakespeare. Alan Bennett injects a lot of humor in his books too,
-
I agree with you, FRYBABE. Why not copy that post and send it to OpEd at your most
popular newspaper?
CALLIE, I would love to have met your grandmother! Good for your granddaughter, too.
Didn't you find a family of independent women was a terrific aid to the young women of
your generation? Mine were wonderfully lovable, but sweet and compliant. There were times
in my life I would have been better off to stand up and fight. But no, I was too afraid of
hurting someone's feelings. ::)
I like the Tim Parks article, JEAN. Well written...and he agrees with me! ;D
I'm afraid I would find a book about football boring, STEPH, even by our beloved Pratchett.
-
The book is sort of about football and how it had become a killer in the streets. I think making fun of soccer (football) fans and the riots.. It also has an odd character, who seems to be an experiment in seeing if a totally different type of person can learn to blend in.. Very odd Pratchett.
If I really need a laugh. Stephanie Plum does it for me..
Dont think I want to see Hunger Games, have not read or want to read the books..
Shirley Jackson.. The Lottery was terrifying, but she had several books on her family that are very very funny.. She was married to a critic for Theatre and some are about that.
-
Much as I love Terry Pratchett, I have not loved all his books. Some, like his spoof of
film-making, just didn't cut it for me. But 'when he was good, he was very, very good'!!
-
My daughter and oldest grandson loved The Hunger Games. they're planning to see the movie this weekend. She keeps urging me to read it, but I've resisted so far.
-
JoanK, John read Hunter Games sort-of accidentally, having no idea what it was. He said it was a good book...and that the teenage girls would go berserk over the movie. Our daughter (age 53 had gotten it for our Kindles) said that the first book was "excellent", the second one was "fair", and the third one was "weak". I don't like that type of story, so I'm not planning to read it. John and I won't be seeing the movie, either. ::)
-
My granddaughter, boyfriend and half of her friends all went to the first night of Hunger Games. They even bought advance tickets.. They were so excited.
I gave up onthe Terry Pratchett. It was just too too stupid..I mostly like him, but the witches are the most fun.
-
My 11 yr old grandson's class has been reading The Hunger Games. My daughter got it for her Kindle, so she could read it along with him. She loved the book and has read the second and is waiting for the third. She texted me yesterday and she, Dylan and a friend were in a long line waiting for the 7pm showing of the movie. She said there were a lot of "tweens" in line. She keeps encouraging me to read it; but I didn't like the premise. My older sister read it and liked it alot.....I may have to give in & read it?????
Sally
-
Maybe we could read the first of the "Hunger Games", which is supposed to be the best, and
then pass on the rest of them unless we really get hooked. I really don't know what it is actually
about. SALLY, could you explain the premise you said you didn't like. I might not like it, either.
-
Babi, here's the synopsis from Amazon....
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
Acclaimed writer Suzanne Collins, author of the New York Times bestselling The Underland Chronicles, delivers equal parts suspense and philosophy, adventure and romance, in this searing novel set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present.
Sh
-
Ah, thank you, MARYZ. Actually, this reminds me of another book, but I can't remember which
one just now. In it, young people were chosen and sent to Crete to become 'bull dancers' with
the Minotaur. It was very dangerous, and the young people had no choice in the matter. Anyone
else know the book?
Having read that summary, SALLY, I don't care for the premise, either. I enjoyed the book I
vaguely remember, but in that case there was no 'fight to the death'. If the dancer was skillful,
his/her art could become a matter of pride.
-
From the trailers I have seen, I gather the girl's younger sister was actually the girl chosen for The Hunger Games from their district, and the older girl talked them into letting her take her place. I may be wrong, but I have seen that bit on the news a number of times now.
I say again, the premise of these stories reminds me of Shirley Jackson's The Lottery. Shudder!
Over and over I am so glad I have lived during the times I have lived, and I do not have to face a future that may look like that. I absolutely will NOT read the books or see the movies. I have read one critic I admire say the writer is a very good one and she appears to be trying to warn the younger generations that they have to wake up and realize their voracious voyeurism is sucking the humanity out of their souls with these vicious reality shows being all the rage.
Babi, I think that was a Mary Renault book. Based on some guessing about what the pictures on the pottery mean. But the aim was not that all, or indeed any, would die.
-
My book swap group is passing around "America Pacifica" which seems to have a similar theme to "Hunger Games". Post - (Social) Apocalypse ??
The one who passed it to me stopped after about 25 pages. I stopped after about 10.
As MaryPage said..."Shudder".
-
sounds like the Hunger Game is the Roller Coaster of literature - some folks have to read what scares them so they can imagine beating the odds.
-
My f2f group read The Hunger GAmes. I thought it was something written to our --what's that phrase -- prurient interests? Written to appeal to certain senses, in this case , violence involving others, not us. Fight to the finish. Only one victor left. It reminded me of Shirley Jackson's The Lottery, in that a person is chosen to be beaten until dead. In another sense, it also reminded me of Lois Lowry's The Giver, another young adult book that I liked. There wasn't the violence in that one, it was more about living well in a society where all decisions were made for you. And in THe Hunger Games it seems that all decisions are made for you as well.
Just saw this -- from the Seattle Public Library
25 titles similar to The Hunger Games (http://seattle.bibliocommons.com/list/show/91549352_librariany/105631777_the_ultimate_hunger_games_read-alike_list)
-
I liked the HUNGER GAMES, just not enough to read the other two in the trilogy. It was a fast read, nothing deep. It was interesting to see how the girl, who had grown up hunting in the wilderness for wild animals and edible plants to have enough to eat, was able to outwit the others and stay alive.
Marj
-
Ah Babi, it was of course Mary Renault and her Greek series who wrote about the Minotaur.. Lovely books. I did like her and I think read most of her books. She made ancient history become so vivid..
-
It probably was a Mary Renault, MARYPAGE (and STEPH). She was a great favorite of mine; I read all her books.
some folks have to read what scares them so they can imagine beating the odds
. Barb
You may have a point there, BARB. I frequently imagine, or dream of, myself trying to
elude, or capture, the bad guys, but it usually doesn't seem to come out right. I sometimes
try to imagine what I would do if I got in serious trouble, but my ideas cannot work with
the reality of my uncooperative physical state. The best thing I can do is place myself
in God's hands and let Him work it out. ;)
-
My daughter and grandson saw the movie of Hunger games and thought it was an excellant adaptation. So if you liked the book, you'll probably like it.
-
I am having fun with Rita Mae Browns hounds and horses series. She has foxes, horses, hounds and people.. birds. They all have names and they talk to each other. NO murder thus far in this one, but I enjoy the great love of nature and animals.. Sister is a character.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I was just about to post one of my famour "and what are you reading today?"
And then wyou were reading almost everything hehe
Step am going to look up On Agate Hill on my Kindle, thanks
-
Judy, as I remember you love the south and it is truly a southern love letter.
Had a meeting last night of Friends of the Library.The reference librarian took us on a tour of all the reference material in the library. How to access it. What new classes they are having on computers.. The IPAD ones are all full..but they are going to do one onf Skype and I think I will try and take it, since I am not sure I understand Skype..
-
I just read Janet Dailey's Medicine Men. Her books seem to be all over the place for me. Some i have loved, others not so much. This one was a not-so-much. She really seemed to be angry at doctors. The story had about a half dozen women who each had a relationship of some kind w/ a doctor. Most of the docs were controlling and uncommunicative other then in their expertise. And this was another instance of where it seems the author didn't know how to end the story and actually left us hanging w/ the lead character not knowing if her brain tumor cancer was truly gone. It was a rather weird reading for me, obviously unsatisfying.
-
Spring is coming: and Spring is the time to think about-- dah dah! THE CLASSICS.
What better time of year to go dancing through the woods with the ancient Greeks. Does anyone have their pan pipes ready? We are planning a new classics discussion for May 15th. Come and tell us that you will be with us reading some of the classic literature that has inspired us through the ages:
http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=2395.200
-
Janet Daily is known as an old fashioned romance writer. She got in trouble a bit ago for plagerism..No idea how that turned out, but for a while, there were no new books at all. I had gotten the impression that she is quite old and could possibly be dead. Not sure though.
-
JEAN, I have had some very fine doctors, thank Heaven, but I also have had experiences in
my family in which a doctor was the direct cause of serious harm to someone I love. Now, I
must have one that will not only explain everything to my satisfaction, but will listen
when I tell him something about a body I am extremely familiar with...my own.
I don't know how old Janet Daily is, STEPH, but if her memory is as fickle as mine, her
plagiarism(?) may have simply resulted from not remembering where an idea or thought
came from. ??? :-[
-
Oops! I made a mistake! I confused authors on two books i was reading. Alice Adams wrote Medicine Men. I'm also reading Dailey's Aspen Gold, which is apparently the nivel NORA ROBERTS sued her over.......from wiki....
Dailey was sued in 1997 by fellow novelist Nora Roberts, who accused Dailey of copying her work for over seven years. The practice came to light after a reader read Roberts' Sweet Revenge and Dailey's Notorious back-to-back; she noticed several similarities and posted the comparable passages on the internet. Calling the plagiarism "mind rape," Roberts sued Dailey.[9] Dailey acknowledged the theft and blamed it on a psychological disorder. She admitted that both Aspen Gold and Notorious lifted heavily from Roberts's work. Both of those novels were subsequently pulled from print.[10][11] In April 1998 Dailey settled the case. Although terms were not released, Roberts had previously indicated that any settlement funds should be donated to the Literacy Volunteers of America.[9][12]
In 2001, Dailey returned to publishing with a four-book deal with Kensington Books.
Dailey is still alive, born in 1944, so not so old.
I think i may have found a gem, a long time ago, someone mentioned Donati. I got her Into the Wilderness and started it while in a bout of insomnia last night. The first 50 pages are great. Late 18th century in New York state. I like the characters already. Unusually strong young women just arrived from England planning to start a school in the area where her father owned a thousand acres, her Father has plans for her marriage to the local physcian. Of course, there is a "backwoodsman" who has attracted her attention.
I love it when an author gives us a hint of what her research has been by naming and explaining those who assissted her, especially in historical fiction. Donati gives us a nice list.
Jean
-
That's Sara Donati.
-
Oops! I made a mistake! I confused authors on two books i was reading. Alice Adams wrote Medicine Men. I'm also reading Dailey's Aspen Gold, which is apparently the nivel NORA ROBERTS sued her over.......from wiki....
Dailey was sued in 1997 by fellow novelist Nora Roberts, who accused Dailey of copying her work for over seven years. The practice came to light after a reader read Roberts' Sweet Revenge and Dailey's Notorious back-to-back; she noticed several similarities and posted the comparable passages on the internet. Calling the plagiarism "mind rape," Roberts sued Dailey.[9] Dailey acknowledged the theft and blamed it on a psychological disorder. She admitted that both Aspen Gold and Notorious lifted heavily from Roberts's work. Both of those novels were subsequently pulled from print.[10][11] In April 1998 Dailey settled the case. Although terms were not released, Roberts had previously indicated that any settlement funds should be donated to the Literacy Volunteers of America.[9][12]
In 2001, Dailey returned to publishing with a four-book deal with Kensington Books.
Dailey is still alive, born in 1944, so not so old.
I think i may have found a gem, a long time ago, someone mentioned Donati. I got her Into the Wilderness and started it while in a bout of insomnia last night. The first 50 pages are great. Late 18th century in New York state. I like the characters already. Unusually strong young women just arrived from England planning to start a school in the area where her father owned a thousand acres, her Father has plans for her marriage to the local physcian. Of course, there is a "backwoodsman" who has attracted her attention.
I love it when an author gives us a hint of what her research has been by naming and explaining those who assissted her, especially in historical fiction. Donati gives us a nice list.
Jean
-
Oops! I made a mistake! I confused authors on two books i was reading. Alice Adams wrote Medicine Men. I'm also reading Dailey's Aspen Gold, which is apparently the nivel NORA ROBERTS sued her over.......from wiki....
Dailey was sued in 1997 by fellow novelist Nora Roberts, who accused Dailey of copying her work for over seven years. The practice came to light after a reader read Roberts' Sweet Revenge and Dailey's Notorious back-to-back; she noticed several similarities and posted the comparable passages on the internet. Calling the plagiarism "mind rape," Roberts sued Dailey.[9] Dailey acknowledged the theft and blamed it on a psychological disorder. She admitted that both Aspen Gold and Notorious lifted heavily from Roberts's work. Both of those novels were subsequently pulled from print.[10][11] In April 1998 Dailey settled the case. Although terms were not released, Roberts had previously indicated that any settlement funds should be donated to the Literacy Volunteers of America.[9][12]
In 2001, Dailey returned to publishing with a four-book deal with Kensington Books.
Dailey is still alive, born in 1944, so not so old.
I think i may have found a gem, a long time ago, someone mentioned Donati. I got her Into the Wilderness and started it while in a bout of insomnia last night. The first 50 pages are great. Late 18th century in New York state. I like the characters already. Unusually strong young women just arrived from England planning to start a school in the area where her father owned a thousand acres, her Father has plans for her marriage to the local physcian. Of course, there is a "backwoodsman" who has attracted her attention.
I love it when an author gives us a hint of what her research has been by naming and explaining those who assissted her, especially in historical fiction. Donati gives us a nice list.
Jean
[/quote]
[/quote]
-
Jean, I've read all of Sara Donati's books about the NY wilderness area and enjoyed them tremendously. I know very little about that part of history in the n.e. USA.
-
Jean, how amazing. I like to go to John Campbell Folk School in Brasstown,NC. Two very strong minded women came to North Carolina back in the early part of the 1900's. They founded the folk school and are buried there. Sounds as if someone might have read their stories.. They were remarkable women and have established a school, which specializes in the old time crafts and living peacably. It is a wonderful place to spend a week learning some new thing and reliving the earlier times. I love the place. They were from UK..
-
What on earth is going on?!! Jean's post got repeated twice, and most of the page is
taken up with those three posts. No one else mentions it, but I can't imagine how it could
happen on just my computer. ???
-
Yes, I saw the duplication, but knew it wasn't my computer, and that it would do no good to report it. Just a gremlin in the system!! Only I got it three (3) times!
-
That was weird......
-
I also saw it three times - and the middle one was in the box with a "purple" background like a Quote.
April Fool a few days early? ;)
-
Had to be the site. I got it too.
I am reading a non fiction on the current life of teens and how it has changed. Really good.. She follows several teens all the way thrgh 7-12.. Some emotions stay the same as ours, but the way the teens handle them is so very different.
-
Somewhere in the system, on occasion, someone leans over and accidentally presses a key
with an elbow and weird things happen. That's my theory! ;)
-
Just a note here even though I know most of you are nowhere near my area. You may have seen my message from last year detailing my attendance at a lecture by Jamie Ford "Hotel At The Corner of Bitter and Sweet", which was held as part of Richardson Reads One Book. This year's selection is "One Amazing Thing" by Chitra Divakaruni I had not heard of this book, but it sounds unusual and quite wonderful. Synopsis: A group of people awaiting rescue while trapped in the rubble of a building collapsed by an earthquake decide to deal with the stress by telling the stories of the most transcendant event in their lives. Amazon.com: One Amazing Thing: Chitra Divakaruni: Books
FYI, Richardson is a suburb of Dallas, TX by definition only. It is a growing, thriving City of its own. They had to move last years lecture from their main library, to the High School auditorium, which is massive! I can hardly wait for the September 20 program!
-
Tomereader, One Amazing Thing sounds interesting. I'll put it on my tbr list. Thanks
Sally
-
Sounds like great lectures .. Our library week has not been well attended at our library, but the more obscure the author, the less likely people are to come.
-
I'm reading Jose Saramago's THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JESUS CHRIST. First book of his I've read and am enjoying it very much. It's a skeptical, but very interesting, sometimes poetical and moving, account of the holy family and Jesus' short life. The characters are somewhat like, but mostly unlike, the biblical account.
Marge
-
mostly mysteries just now.
-
I am currently reading Mistress of Nothing for ftf book club next month. Short book, easy to read; but also easy to put down. Sort of interesting, but kind of tedious. My ftf book club meets this Thurs and will be discussing Emily and Einstein. We are going to have a skype meeting with the author. Should be interesting as our group is mostly in 70's & 80's and struggling to keep up with the techno world.
I have just started The Cat's Table. Interesting so far. Have any of you read it? I am also reading a light book of stories called Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes. I think someone here recommended it. I am enjoying it.
Sally
-
I've started reading "Into the Wilderness", by Sara Donati, which was recommended by someone here. I was surprised to find that it continues with two characters created by another
author. The primary male character is Nathaniel, son of Hawkeye and Cora, from James
Fenimore Cooper's "Last of the Mohicans". Hawkeye and Chingachgook are still living and active,
though Cora has died.
I have no idea what the protocol is in using another author's (even deceased) characters. Have
any of you run across this in your reading? I find no mention of this in the jacket blurb or any
foreword.
-
Salan - I think it was I who recommended the Sweet Tea & Jesus Shoes book - I really liked it, glad you are also enjoying it.
Rosemary
-
I think I was the original "recommender" for Sweet Tea & Jesus Shoes, as I had gotten it free on my Kindle, and started spreading the word. Anyway, whoever, me or rosemarykaye, we picked a good one! Delightful little stories.
-
I think you were, too, Tomereader, and thanks to your passing the word, I have it on my Kindle also. Am currently reading Bleak HOuse on my Kindle, so much better than the fine print in the book, and am also hooked on The Inner Circle by Brad Melzer -- set at the National Archives. Fascinating so far.
The library has sent me messages that TWO on holds are ready -- Night Road by Kristin Hannah and The Boy in the Suitcase by Lena Kaaberbol. I think the latter is Danish? Not sure. I don't know if I can do all these at once, along with Latin. And play bridge.
-
I also read Parnassas on Wheels that someone here recommended. I found it very light and enjoyable and it was only 99 cents on my kindle. I recently read and enjoyed The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.
Sally
-
Ihave the Sweet Tea on reserve at my book swap club.. Sounds like fun. Yesterday was a no read day. I cleaned the garage..The first time in two and a half years. Lots of stuff went into the trash pile ,, lots is in the donations pile and the garage is now arranged, so I can find things. Some pangs when I ran into scribbled notes of his on plants and his battered up gardening gloves..
-
I also have Sweet Tea on reserve, and I found Parnassas on Wheels at a local library, so have that one coming up soon. So far I have read the introduction to that.
-
Sorry Tomereader - I'm sure it was you! I probably read it on your recommendation - honestly my memory gets worse ever day. Anyway, it was good! Thanks for telling us about it.
Rosemary
-
steph, wanna come to Texas and clean out my garage? LOL
-
Not been able to find "Sweet tea" at the library at the moment. Will ask them to find it. Maybe not out in LP.
-
Some people at the area church has volunteered to help 'Seniors" for 3 hours Saturday morning. I had picked them to clean up my outdoor building. Put things back in the right place. As usual, poured down all day so could not make it. Only do it once a year.
Have to do it myself when weather permits.
Seems I always get sore shoulders when I do thinks like this.
-
MISS READ IS DEAD!
In the obits in The Washington Post today I find:
"Dora Saint, who wrote dozens of popular novels under the pen name of Miss Read depicting the joys and charms of life in quaint English villages, died April 7 in Shefford Woodlands, a village in the English county of Berkshire. She was 98."
There follows a really nice, long obit. Bless her forever! Loved every book she ever wrote.
-
Oh what a shame - but it sounds as though she enjoyed a long and happy life.
Thanks for the info MaryPage.
Rosemary
-
The garage was interesting to clean. The number of things that I have no idea what they do was amazing..But my theory also was... if I dont know what it is, I certainly cant figure out how to use it.. Interesting the things he saved that made no sense. I think every screw he ever found, he kept in a large box. I found four large tarps.. Hmm. I kept them, but not quite sure why.. May ask my sons if they need any.
Today is my annual squeeze the boobs day.. Sigh.. I do so wish they would invent a slightly less painful method.
-
I thought that they had found a better way here at the "Mills Breast Centre" 20 Million dollar building. Used it 2 years ago but the did not even show the one little things that has been there for 30 years. No problem with it but usually mentioned. Really hurt on theirs. Went back to my regular place last 2 times. All O.K.
Think that a man invented the Mamo Machine. If they had their Prostrate test done that way they would find something better for us. But as long as they come up Neg. we should be thankfull
-
tHEY HAVE A new kimnd where I go and it doesn't hurt nearly so bad. I have an appt on the 20th hope I can make it.
As most of you know my husband has dementia. He took the dogs for a walk Friday on a road
I told him he couldn't go on and he fell and my littleEmma run under a car and was killed.
I don't know if I can stand it or not. Then sunday he could dizzy and eyes weren 't focing and he fell again the medics thought he was having a heart attact but he wasn't but he is still in the heart wing. He is having PT and he can't come home until he can walk as I can't handle him.
I see a rehab place in his future. I am home with a horrible back ache and should be there. Little Eddie that is the same age as Emma is terribly lost , He goes out in the yard and can't "find"
her. Thank God for wonderful neighbors and friends.
I don't understand how a man who walked for 3 miles on Friday can,t stand up on Sunday.
I get no answers.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
JUDY LAIRD, I am putting you, and your husband on my daily prayer list. My heart goes out to you!
Sheila
-
Judy, when change happens, when the body finally gives out in one way or another, it always comes suddenly. I am soooo sorry you are having to suffer this, but please be advised not to pile on to your deep sorrow and agony by trying to figure out the why of it. No point in trying to journey on an impossible road no human has yet been able to master.
-
Awww Judy, so sad to lose a little friend so suddenly like that. Hope you and your husband are soon both feeling better. A sore back seems to hurt no matter what you try to do. As MaryPage says it is what it is and there's no rhyme nor reason for you to figure out. Try not to think of where you "should" be. Wherever works the best is where you "should" be.
Jean
-
Oh Judy - how sad - how empty you must feel with so much happening - you know you are in our prayers but sometimes that is not enough when it all feels overwhelming with no easy fixes - You and Emma will have to comfort each other - does she sleep in the house - maybe you both can snooze together for a night or two.
-
Judy, I'm so sorry about your husband and your puppy. (((((((Judy))))))
-
Judy, I am so sorry to hear about Little Emma and your husband's dementia. It is not easy to keep one's equilibrium under such circumstances. When my Mom started falling a lot, we put her in an assisted living place. We couldn't get her out of her apartment very often after Dad passed; it was always too hot, or too cold, or too windy. She didn't have a social life. At assisted living she joined in the activities and even started going to one of the several religious services held at the home. We were thrilled. Well, of course, she didn't have to go out to get to the activities. I hope that when the time comes, you will find a place where your husband will be comfortable too.
-
Judy, oh judy, I do wish I lived closer. You need someone to just be by your side.. I grieve for you and for your husband and Emma.. Dementia is a horrid disease.. It take the actual person away. You have always been so funny and loving to the world, helping all.. Just take an hour at a time.. No looking ahead..Know that everyone at Senior net is rooting for you.. Remember our wonderful bookie trip to Charleston. We laughed so hard for days.
-
Just finished reading "The Invisible Wall" So good. Written when Harry Bernstein was 94. His life when growing up in Lancashire. Maybe it is because I go back that far with my parents and then myself in the later years. I have a good idea of the area he lived 8 miles North of Manchester and a Mill Town. I grew up in Mill town 12 miles from City just like it.
-
oh Judy {{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
-
Judy, I am so sorry to hear about what has happened/is happening in your life. Like Steph said, we are all here for you.
Rosemary
-
I just got a hard bound copy of The Sookie Stackhouse Companion.. Decided since I am a fan to get it.. A dip into sort of book.
-
For those here who love the Greek history, etc, this month's "Bookmarks" magazine has a wonderful article "Novels of Ancient Greece". Even I recognized some of the titles by Mary Renault. There is a fairly recent (2011) book by Madeline Miller, "The Song of Achilles", which I had previously read a review of in some magazine in a waiting room.
-
Or go to our discussion of women in Greek Drama:
http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=3156.msg155340#new (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=3156.msg155340#new)
-
My new b ed book is an autotiography and Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth Hayes. They played lead parts on Days of Our Lives some time ago. Actually fun.. He is a lot older than she is, but they seem content.
-
Thanks for the kind wishes ,I wish I could thank each one but that I don't have time for.
Don fell again Sun and was admitted and cannot sit up gert out ob bed or walk on his own.I fell so sorry for little Eddie he is Don's dog but he can't find Emma and he crie4s and looks out in the yard.
Now Don is gone so he really feels abbandoned.
Don has been moved to a nursing home. Its a good one and its called Mission Health Care.
He will have intensive PT and hope fully he wil be home soon. He thinks hes coming homwe in a couple of days. His Dr wrote on the orders this morning q1 to 2 weeks. So its the fast track for me for a while and also a mamaogram tommorow morning.
Whine---whine---whine
-
You're NOT whining, JUDY. You're sharing your burdens with your friends, just as you ought.
What are friends for? :)
-
Agreed, Jude, you are not whining. I hope the PT gets Don back on his feet soon.
-
{{{{{Judy}}}}}
-
Absolutely - and I second Mary's hug, just don't know how to write it... ::) Just keep telling us - it really is good to share things like this, and most of us have done so at some point, I know I have.
When our dog died suddenly, my neighbour's spaniel used to come in and run round our house looking for him, as they were such great chums on walks. Horrible. Do you have a friend who maybe could take your dog to walk/play with theirs?
Very best wishes for your husband's progress.
Rosemary
-
Ah Judy,it is not whining.. The dog will recover.. slowly, but they do adjust just as we do.
I know this is hard, but be easier on yourself.. YOu have too much on your plate and need to be a little nicer to yourself..I do so wish that some of us lived closer to you. You need someone to take you to lunch, listen to everything and then hold you close..
-
{{{{{ Judy!}}}}} What an unimaginable maelstrom of hellish events all at once! How awful! I am so sorry for your Miss Emma and Don! Oh!
You've been so much help for so many years to so many people, I hate for this to be happening. I am so sorry.
-
OH, I am so sorry about Judy's husband, Don. What a sad thing for her, losing Emma, and then Don to a nursing home. He has Alzheimer's so Judy has her hands full. I will call her today. (((((((((((Judy&Don)))))))).
All good thoughts and prayers are being send their way.
-
Steph the dog is dead. Hit by a car.
I have confirmed by my doctor that I do not have altzheimers. I have been locking myself out of the house losing keys, and to top it off I went to theEvergreen hosp for my mamogram this morning. I could not find a handicapped parking space so I parked it I came out and walked for 20 mkinutes and I couldn't find it. I got security and they dro9ve me around and found it in a place I would never know. I was close to hysterical. I drove straight across the street tio my doctors office and told lhim I was nuts. He said I wasn't I just had too much stress in my life.I would have never thought of that .............So heres what he said you might want to try it with
your friends.
3 white horses
2 red roses
1 park avenue.
Talk among your selves and in 5 minutes see if you remember. I did and he said that wasn't easy and poof I am cured. hehehe
-
Judy - I agree, all those things are definitely stress-induced. When I am even slightly wound up about something, I get confused about where I've left the wretched car. I've also spent time looking for my Suzuki before I've remembered that I took the VW that day. When my children were babies, I managed to leave our house keys on top of my car and drive away twice in the course of one week (neither time did we find the keys - husband not amused..) My neighbour once left her 6 year old son in the local Co-Op and only realised when she got home that he wasn't with her (rushed back and he was looking at the comics, hadn't even noticed she was gone) - and she is a highly qualified geriatric psychiatrist, and also 10 years younger than I am. Yesterday I was seeing my son off at our little local train station - just as the noise sounded for the doors to close, a young woman rushed off the train and disappeared behind the (outdoor) staircase - came flying back with her suitcase - she must have put it there while she was waiting (it was raining hard) then got into the train without it. So you see, it's not just us.
Was you doctor able to suggest anything to help?
Be gentle with yourself,
Very best wishes,
Rosemary
-
Shucks, JUDY, I could have told you that. With that kind of stress and physical
strain, anyone would be near hysterical. I'm sure I would have been struggling
not to bawl in public.
I'm afraid you'll have to explain the horses, roses and Park avenue to me. Is he suggesting
a carriage ride in the park, after buying yourself a couple of roses, maybe? Do they have
carriage rides where you live?
-
Lovely picture, Babi! Made me think of Central Park in NYC where one can take a carriage ride. Hmmmmmm.
-
I think it is a riddle the doctors use - if you can remember the items and number of items in their order than all is well - the memory help to remember is that a ride on Park Ave. is known in movies with a horse and the romance of roses are thrown in - I think even some of the modern illustrations for Cinderella has her in a white horse drawn carriage with roses flying as she runs to make it home before midnight so that it has become a recognized image.
-
I think that another test some of the doctors give you to test memory is to count you Seven's tables backwords. Starting with 70 and then trying for a higher number. I have one where I try to remember the names of all relatives going back to GGrand and forward to youngest, one family at a time. I have about 50 and can do it good.
-
Judy, you are abounding in stress. It's time for a "treat Judy day," -- take a day off from your problems, the world's problems, and the needs of others. They'll still be there, but hopefully you'll feel better. Good luck, we're all thinking about you and Don and wishing you the best.
-
JUDY: I remember when my father died, we thought my mother was getting Altzeimers, she was so absentminded. But it was just stress and grief -- she came back with time. So be patient with yourself.
-
Our May book club online is "Women in Greek Drama": reading three Greek plays featuring strong women. Find out why these women have been famous in literature for two thousand years. Join us for the pre-discussion here:
http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=3156.0
-
I'm almost finished w/ Into the Wilderness. I like the detail of life on the frontier in 1800, but there's a bit too much "romance" for me. A third of the book is about the lead characters mooning over each other instead of getting on w/ the story. There's a good strong woman lead character. The story gives a nice perspective of the Native Americans at the time. Her research is obviously extensive. It's the first of Donati's books that i've read. I'll probably read more and try to slide past the "mooning" :D
Jean
-
Blue Moo-oo-oo-on!
-
Jean - we have that in common. I thought mooning meant something entirely different in the US. ??? I just call it feeling all "warm and fuzzy".
-
Mooning..That is one I have not heard in years. My Mother used to use it when I ws busy being a moony teen.
-
As long as you weren't being a mooning teen, Steph.
-
You got it pedln :o
-
The only place I was ever mooned was in Britain would you believe - I was on a train to Norwich and some - I think three young men mooned as the train passed.
-
When I was growing up, mooning was strictly a male habit.. But being Moony seemed to be mostly the girls..
-
Here in Southern California, an annual event each July is Mooning the Amtrek day. People line up, bent over, with their bare backsides facing the Amtrek passenger trains. A fun day for those who like to participate (not me, however LOL)
Marj
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I love the idea, but I am with you.. I am not into public nudity in any form for me. Since I love and use Amtrak , will try and remember to look out on such occasions.
-
I am a dreadful prude and feel ill just at the THOUGHT of seeing bare backsides. Ugh!
About stress: we do not realize we have it. The day my second husband died (colon cancer and very much expected), I made the mistake of driving my car, albeit my daughter had offered. I felt I wanted to spare HER. Ha! I turned left on a red light and gave her The Fright of her Life! Left on a RED LIGHT!
The week after my third husband died. I went off and left my wallet with my entire LIFE in it, all my credit and health cards and money, etc., right on the counter at the post office! Just went to my car and drove all the way home and did not look for the wallet until the next day!
Scheesch! The things we do when under stress. Me? Oh no, never!
Yes, me. And yes, you, too. You can bank on it!
-
Stress is a monster and often you dont even realize what it is doing to you. I am still struggling with the 20 pounds I gained the first 18 months after my husband died. I still will comfort myself occasionaly with food.. Not a good idea, but one that I seem to be unable to stop sometimes.
-
I am currently reading Alexander McCall Smith's latest Ladies #l Detective book-The Limpopo Private Detection Agency. It's a little more involved than his usual, but still charming and fun to read. I am also reading (and almost finished) The Cat's Table by Michael Onaatje. It's well written and easy to read; but not really the kind of book I enjoy. Maybe it's just the mood I am in, but I haven't read any really good books in months. Anyone have any suggestions about good books you have read lately? I have checked out Parrot and Oliver in America; but it's not appealing to me now. Have any of you read it?
Sally
-
Hound Dog Days by Alan Pearson is a very gentle and funny account of a year in Pearson's life with his family + dog + neighbours in a Northumbrian village. Just realised that it isn't fiction and this is the fiction page - sorry! But it's so good.
Rosemary
-
Memoirs often come as close to fiction as they do to reality. Think of Bill Bryson.. His stuff reads as fiction, but is supposed to be real.
-
Salan, I'm glad you mentioned the new No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. I love those books and didn't know a new one was out. Now I am 25 on the library reserve list.
-
I was so intrigued by Joyce Maynards memoir of her life and her time with Jerry Salinger that I have ordered the book that Jerrys daughter wrote about her father.. I gather that both of these have been roundly criticized by many authors for revealing the man.. I find that odd.. He is not the best author in creation..or was not actually, he died in 2010.. Sigh.. I do not understand New York critics at all sometimes.
-
Sounds like Salinger was 'teacher's pet' with certain authors. Perhaps those who are upset at
the idea that their lives might be revealed after they're gone? :o ;)
-
Thanks, Steph, for your thoughts on Joyce Maynard's memoir. I'd not heard of it, but I don't usually want to know about the private lives of authors I admire. And I did very much like his Catcher in the Rye which I read years ago. The only thing I'd heard about Salinger was that he was a rather reclusive, private man. The book does sound interesting.
Marj
-
I just finished a very interesting book: SNOWDROPS by A. D. Miller. It was shortlisted for the 2011 Mann Booker prize. (A snowdrop is Russian slang for a corpse concealed by snow who is discovered after the Russian winter thaw).
The novel is about modern day Russia and a British man, a lawyer, who is sent to Moscow to work for a few years helping foreign banks with the legal work needed to finance Russia's new corporate projects there. The story is about what happens to him (he is not the Snowdrop.). Some questions you ask yourself after reading it: Was he a good person who turned bad, a bad person to begin with, or neither? How could some of what happened have been avoided? Hard to believe all the corruption in modern day Russia, but the author worked there as a journalist for several years, and seems to know a lot of what goes on there. This is Miller's debut novel; I'll read more of his future work.
Marj
-
RosemaryKaye.
Some of the books you rec comend sound so interesting. I try to find them here but not having much luck lately. Hound dog days. I will look further than our library.
-
Thanks to recommendations here, I just read Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes, which I did find fun to read. I am almost finished with Parnassus on Wheels, which is different from what I usually read, so I am enjoying that. And I just checked out By the Pricking of my Thumbs by Agatha Christie. I'm avoiding reality these days.
-
The thing that stands out about Sallinger is his pursuing of young girls. Maynard was 18 when he first wrote her after she was published.. She discovered later quite a few women who corresponded etc with him at the same age. He was 53,, Whew..That is more than a little age diference. I loved his work, but that does not make him a nice human, just a good author.
-
I agree, what wonderful and interesting sounding books you're reviewing here.
Thank you all, some great recommendations!
I keep checking in hoping to see something from Judy, hope she's ok.
-
I remember Joyce Maynard. She use to have a column that I followed in our local paper. Goes back a few years now. I remember she was in a Messy divorce at one time. She had a few children quite young at the time also
Tried to find something on her at library but can't. Just a book of fiction . Would like to find her Memior. How was it titled?
-
Just found her on the Web. Quite a story. Goodness they still talk about her and Sallinger which goes back almost 40 years. She was only 18. Lived with him less than a year. Her articles that she wrote were all about her bad marriage, Her family growing up. Father a drunk etc. etc. Also a photo in there showing her with the 2 African children that she adopted in the 70s. She only kept them for less than a year and then gave them up. (Could be she had them taken away for her). Doesn't say anything about her 3 children she had when married . I was thinking that her husband got them later. She had some wild years.
-
NO, she and her ex husband seemed to have joint custody of the children. The divorce was a difficult one. She admits it in her memoir. She wrote four fiction books, hundreds of articles and of course the memoir. I remember her column from years ago. She seems to be much calmer now, lives on the west coast or at least she did when writing the memoir. Nothing in there about adopting any African children. Name of memoir... At Home in the World.
She had a pip for parents. She loved them, but am not sure why.
-
Has anyone ever read any of Ralph Connor's (pen name of Rev. Dr. Charles William Gordon) books? He wrote about the Canadian West. When I have time later this evening, I think I will download them all to my Kindle. I found this list of his books in a website I didn't know about which has tons of books readable online. http://www.classicreader.com/author/157/ ManyBooks and Project Gutenberg have his works listed for free download. I didn't check to see if Amazon does.
-
If any of you frequent the Harper-Collins website, and go to BookClubGirl, the Ereader companies are making a big deal. I tried to link here, but it wouldn't work. There are 12 books available for $2.99 each, and downloadable to Kindle, Nook and other Ereaders. You don't have to take all 12. There are some good ones, some we've already read and some we haven't. I bought 8. I hope you will at least visit this site. It is often very worthwhile, book reviews, contests, info on upcoming books from H-C. I will try again to get a link to post. Cant do it.
-
Tomereader - Thanks so much for that information. I shall certainly visit the H-C website.
-
Harper Collins.. thats all I need another site for books.. Sigh.
-
Is it permisible to give oneself a title like 'Rev. Dr.' in a pen name? ??? It is obviously
very misleading. If Mr. Connor had been writing books on religious subjects, one
might even call it fraudulent.
-
Babi...I don't think it's ethical, but I know authors who've used "Dr." on their name when their degree was an honorary one or when it had nothing to do with the topic they were writing about. I consider it fraudulent and unethical, but I don't know if there are rules on names people can use...hmmm...maybe not considering what some people name their children and a pro basketball player, who's a dirty player in my mind, whose name is now something like Meta World Peace. PLEASE!!!
-
I had no luck with the HarperCollins site, so I did a search on BookClubgirl and it's at:
http://www.bookclubgirl.com/
The the link to the 12 books Tome mentioned is here:
http://www.bookclubgirl.com/book_club_girl/2012/04/book-club-girls-ebook-bonanza-12-great-ebooks-for-just-299-for-the-month-of-may-1.html
-
Now, Jane...however did you get that link to work? I tried and tried, but then I didn't go directly to the bookclubgirl address either. It came to me in the form of a newsletter, and I tried to copy and paste, but the pictures of the book covers with the e-reader titles underneath wouldn't transfer that way. (might as well admit, I'm not the shiniest apple in the basket when it comes to computer expertise. LOL)
-
Our schools are now full of children whose parents have named them: Princess, Queen, Captain, Colonel, Prince, Duke, and so on and on. Every rank and title you can think of is being given. No law against it. Why do they do it? Possibly so the child will sound and/or feel important? In hopes that it will rub off?
Who knows! Fads change. Always have. Always will.
-
As a Laker fan, I get to watch Meta World Peace every couple of days. I took his name change as a sign that he really wanted to change his ways and become a better person. Guess it didn't work. I feel sorry for him: he obviously has problems, but I'm not sure he should be allowed to play basketball where he can really hurt other people.
-
Sorry for the confusion Babi. Ralph Conner is the pen name; Rev. Dr. Charles William Gordon is his real name. He was a Presbyterian, and later a United minister in Canada. I expect his stories will have some moral element and a lack of profanity in them. I've downloaded four of them to read later.
-
I'm reading Jane Gordam's GOD ON THE ROCKS. Didn't care too much for Old Filth, but this one is Terrific! One of the best I've read this year!
Marj
-
I loved Old Filth..so will put that on my list to find.
-
Odd bunch of names, MARYPAGE. Not having any very young relatives currently in
school, this was new to me. Fond parents can be truly foolish in naming their poor
kids.
Ah, thanks for that clarification, FRYBABE. BIG difference.
MARJ, I was kind of divided on "Old Filth", too. But if you recommend "God On The Rocks",
I'm ready to take a look at it. I'll check out my library sources.
-
I just ordered "God Rocks" for my Kindle. I rather enjoyed "Old Filth". If GOTR is even better, I look forward to reading it! Thanks for your post, MARJ.
Sheila
-
Now, Jane...however did you get that link to work? I tried and tried, but then I didn't go directly to the bookclubgirl address either. It came to me in the form of a newsletter, and I tried to copy and paste, but the pictures of the book covers with the e-reader titles underneath wouldn't transfer that way. (might as well admit, I'm not the shiniest apple in the basket when it comes to computer expertise. LOL)
It wasn't you. It was the link in the newsletter. They'll let you click on them, but they don't seem to be transferable, in my experience, if I try to copy and paste them. What I did was a google search on BookClubGirl and then went to the site and copied the url from the address window in my browser.
Thanks for that site!
jane
-
ON Jane Gordam, I do have on my ipad, her short stories collection.. I dive into it from time to time. I like short stories, but only sometimes..
-
I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but if you enjoy Jane Gardam, do try her 'Bilgewater', it really is my favourite, and is possibly autobiographical in parts. It's about a young girl growing up in the boys' boarding school where her father is headmaster (I think, he's definitely a master of some sort).
-
I am reading "The Good Daughters" by Joyce Maynard at the moment. Enjoying it. Hope I can find more of her books in Large Print.. I have gotten to like the LP better.
-
Dont think I have read The Goo dDaughters, so will look for it.
-
I have just finished 'The Fair Miss Fortune' by DE Stevenson. I picked it up in the library (large print as it happens), had not heard of this particular one of hers before. I just loved it - it's the story of twin sisters, one of whom decides to move to a small English village and open a tea shop (being a 'lady in reduced circumstances' - this is the 1930s). There is a full cast of village residents, all brilliantly drawn with not the slightest nod to PC-ness. Charles, a captain home on leave from the army, falls for the tea-shop sister. The other sister then arrives, having fled her job in London because the French owner of the hat shop in which she was working has taken an unhealthy shine to her. She doesn't want him to find her, so the sisters pretend to be one person, with only one of them going out at at time. The shy son of a rich busybody falls in love with the second sister. You can probably imagine the rest.
The joy of this book for me was in the detail. The various supporting characters are hilarious, with Stevenson's usual vicious one-liners - eg "her long thin hand....was as clammy and boneless as a filleted sole"; "he saw no reason to spare a fallen foe, not having had the advantage of a public school education". Everyone (even the ladies in reduced circumstances) have no apparent money worries whatsoever (the tea shop, for example, is never opened, and the two sisters are looked after by their old nanny - who is presumably paid for her services - even though they are now 19 years old - so they never cook, clean or do any laundry.)
On looking for a link to this novel, I also discovered a wonderful-sounding new shop in Edinburgh, specialising in just these kind of books:
http://www.greyladiesbooks.co.uk/
Can't wait to go and have a browse.
Rosemary
-
Thanks, Rosemary, for your recommendation of Gardam's Bilgewater, and D.E. Stevenson's The Fair Miss Fortune (love that title). I've not read anything by Stevenson, but her books sound good. I've put both books on my TBR list.
Marj
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I looked up "The Fair Miss Fortune" on Amazon. they have one paperback for $323.00.???!!!??? Just a TAD over my budget.
-
Good heavens Joan! Has your library got it? Amazon UK has it for £12 with free postage, but even that seems excessive to me - it's a very short book. On the Greyladies site (the one I think I posted a link to) they will mail it anywhere in the world for £15.50. I don't know what that is in US dollars but I somehow doubt it's 323!
If I come across a second hand copy I'll buy it for you! The one I read was a library copy, but Christian Aid has its huge book sale in Edinburgh next week, so I'll no doubt be trawling that at some point, and I'll keep my eyes open. Stevenson was born in Edinburgh, by the way. She started writing stories when very young, but had to keep them a secret because her (wealthy) parents disapproved. They also wouldn't let her go to school or university - her father 'didn't want an educated woman in the family'. When I went to the Persephone Books tea held in her honour, her granddaughter remembered her as a rather formidable lady, who used to lie on a chaise longue, smoking cigarettes in a long holder, whilst writing her books. Here is another site about her - she has a devoted following:
http://destevenson.org/
Rosemary
-
Don't buy it for me. I can get it on the kindle for less than it would cost to buy and post.
-
My nickname as a youngster was "The Duchess". I loathed it! I didn't realise until many years later it must have been a description of my demeanour. Oooopppssss!
I wonder if my friends from the US can clear something up for me. My ex FIL had a PhD he acquired at UCLA. He was always called Dr. in Australia, but he told me that if you have at least a Masters Degree you were entitled to the title Professor in the US. Is this true? My daughter doesn't include her Dr. title in any of her communications. Australian are a bit (more than a bit) wary of being labelled a "tall poppy" if they add academic initials to their names. Maybe they should call me Master ..... :o
-
My husband never uses 'Dr' (except in technical publications, etc) because he doesn't want anyone asking him to deliver a baby on a plane, or anything like that. He's an engineering PhD and v squeamish.
I don't know about the professor thing in the US, but it definitely doesn't apply in the UK. PhD = doctor, and that's it. Professor is a title handed out by the employing university.
-
Bilgewater is an out of print.. I just finished The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon. She also wrote, Riding the Bus with my Sister. The Beautiful Girl one is fiction and the Bus one is a memoir, but both are excellent. They are based on people with various limits in their lives.. The Beautiful girl is about th e old homes for the retareded, etc. Specifically in this case, Pennsylvania. I remember the scandals. Our home for the Retarded, etc in Delawre was a dreary awful place..My church used to carol there at Christmas.. Not a happy way to live.
-
ROSEMARY, I love the quotes. I'm going to see if I can find "The Fair Miss Fortune".
Do let me know about the Grey Ladies bookstore. Delightful choice of name.
I am under the impression that a Master's Degree here is required for a professorship. It's
not clear to me whether the degree confers the title. I'm sure one of the other posters here
will be able to clarify that.
-
roshanarose....In my experience, "full professor" is a rank given by a university or college and includes tenure, etc. It is up the academic ladder, but below, say, a Dean. There are entry and other positions below that, and my guess is that the lowest would require a masters' degree as a minimum. So, the various levels of academic rank would require a masters degree, but lots of people have masters degrees who are not professors or assistant/associate/adjunct professors.
More information here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professor#Canada_and_the_United_States
[When I was a staff reference librarian at the Univ. of Iowa, much laughing/ rolling of eyes was done by senior faculty when a new faculty member, who'd just gotten his Ph.D joined the staff...and was listed in the city phone book as Dr. First Name, Last name. People were laughing at him right and left since the President of the University, with many distinguished degrees to his name, was listed in the same phone book as Willard Boyd. Another one, with the ink still wet on his Ph.D. always signed his name with a flourish...Dr. James J. [Last name], Ph.D. We'd almost laugh in his face when he handed us his card. PLEASE!! We had incredible faculty members known for their fantastic research, and this "young pup" thought he was so high and mighty. The higher up the academic ladder and better known in their field the faculty were were, the more humble they were, it seemed.]
jane
-
I am pretty certain of my memory, but then again, these days! I think her name was Dorothy Emily Stevenson and she was a descendant of our beloved Robert Louis Stevenson of A Child's Garden of Verses and other greats.
She wrote tons of books, and I read and enjoyed them all. Light romances are not usually my thing, but she had a way with her. Yes, I have read every single one save four I am saving for my very old age delightment. They are each in LARGE PRINT and by name are: Rochester's Wife, Rosabelle Shaw, The Two Mrs. Abbotts, and Five Windows. Written in the thirties and forties and bound in this large print in the early eighties.
Roshannarose, we must have something alike about us. My family now compare me to Maggie Smith's dowager countess in Downton Abbey.
About D.E. Stevenson: if you love her books, you will love Angela Thirkill, as well. Or is it Thirkil?
-
My Grandson had a Master Deg. for years. Never was a title that went with it even though he was A Asst. Dean. Two years ago he got his PHD. Now he could use the Dr. behind his name if he wished. Now is Dean but I never see him put DR. behind his name.
Being young still, maybe as he gets older he will use it. We are just proud that he has gotten so far so young.
Living in a town where the St. University is. I see many who try to use the DR. even though their position is not doing anything that warrants Using the DR. behind.
-
Rosemary. I like the sound of the book "The Fair Miss Fortune". Doubt my library will have it.
Wonder if the one I mentioned as my Favourite from being a young girl. "The Girl Crusoe"Could be found at the Gray Ladies Bookstore? It goes back to the 1930
-
Just finished The Borgia Bride by Jeanne Kalogridis. Apparently she writes good, well-researched historical fiction/romance books. The protagonist is the wife of the brother of Cesare Borgia, maybe the son of Pope Alexander Borgia. It was very interesting, giving as background the story of the Vatican/French/Spanish battles at the turn of the sixteenth century. I've also been watching "The Borgias" on Showtime and there are matching events, so i guess she is accurate in much of her story. At the end of the book, she lists "real" events in the book and gives a prologue of what happened in history to each character - who is still living - the Borgias killed off a lot of people.
I'm still not clear how "romance" books get designated as such. Yes, there was sex, including incest, which may have been factual, but not much "romance".
Again, it makes me so glad that i'm living in the 20/21st century, in a country that believes in the rule of law for everyone and not ruled by tyrannical dictators. Whew! Thse people were scary!
It was a good read, I will look for more of her books.
Jean
-
When you realize this was the mess that Luther walked in on when he visited Rome it was easy to see why he ended up with his 95 theses.
-
Just started 'The Darling Dahlias & the Cucumber Tree'. It's my first Susan Wittig Albert. Trying to get all the characters sorted out just now, but already enjoying the food descriptions!
Rosemary
-
Jeanne, I downloaded The Girl Crusoe on my Kindle. I haven't started it yet. I am currently reading The Hunger Games. My daughter and my 11 year old grandson kept encouraging me to read it. I hesitated because I did not like the premise and don't usually care for this type book. Well, they were right and I was wrong. I picked it up from my library yesterday and am already half way through. It is very well written and has me eagerly turning the pages. Have any of you read it? Hope it holds up to the end! If so, I will definitely be reading the second one. I also picked up the latest Miss Julia book (Miss Julia to the Rescue) for a bit of entertaining "fluff".
I recently finished The Cat's Table and found it rather tedious.
Sally
-
I have not read any of the Darling Dahlia books, but did not like the Beatrice Potter ones.. But love her herb books.. Albert and her husband also write a series together, but I am not overfond of that one either. I finally broke down and am readingthe last in paperback of Diane Mott Davidsons.. This one has very little of her obnoxious son and instead has a little old lady in a wheelchair who gives new meaning to horrible houseguest. She must love obnoxious in her books.
-
I really liked the Darling Dalias. It is set in the 30s and brings me pleasant memories of times when I was a child (born in 1936) in the early 40s. I enjoyed the Beatrice Potter books but found them slow going at times. Albert completed that series with the marriage of Beatrice. However, my favorite of Albert's books is the China Bayles series. Read her latest Cat's Claw which is more about her friend the police chief but it is a good read. Three different series and so different. She is such a talented person.
-
Steph...I think DM Davidson has worn out Goldie. IMHO Davidson kept the JRK in the picture far too long and let Arch become so obnoxious, he was as much a JRK as his father. Is this last one worth reading?
jane
-
On Dr. and Professor: in the States,you aren't a professor unless you hold that position at a university. but if you teach a college level course, the students will often call you professor.
With a PhD, you are entitled to be called Doctor. The fashion has changed: many years ago, everyone who had a PhD put that Doctor after his name. Then a kind of reverse snobbism took hold, and now people avoid the title.
Alexander McCall Smith wrote a hilarious series ("Portuguese Irregular Verbs") about a German professor who had two PhDs and so was Doctor Doctor. The head of his department was, of course, "Doctor Doctor Doctor."
-
And that is why I quit reading Davidson, Jane, even though she had at one time been one of my "look for" authors. I became so annoyed with the JRK and Son of JRK that I just gave up.
Joan K, don't you love McCall-Smith's subtle, and wicked, sense of humor?
-
Rosemary.
I am just about to get started on Darling Dahlias and the Naked Ladies. Not read any of her book before.
Ended reading a Quick Read. last night. "To have and to Hold" Jane Green. O.K but nothing to recommend as Great.
-
Salan.
I can't believe that you found the book "The Girl Crusoe" here in the US. I have tried for 20 years and never found it. No library could ever find it.
Let me know what yours is about. Maybe not the one written in 1930s
-
What a Surprise. Was just checking on Susan Wittig Albert who wrote The Darling Dahlias.
She grew up in Henning. just 7 miles from the house we lived in in Danville, Ill. She went to Bismark Henning High School. strange that I never heard of her prior to just finding her books. Would have been Famous in Henning as it only had 600 people. Going to have to read more about her later.
-
I've liked all the China Bayles series and DM Davidson's books, but i guess i haven't gotten to the obnoxious son books yet. :)
Jean
-
Actualy this book of DMD's is pretty complicated. I think it is two books in one, there is way too much conflicting plot..So I think at least two villains.. The son is a minor character this time, butGoldie still obsesses about him. How hard that must be for a child. She is making Goldie into obnoxious though..Too much I will do that , even though her husband is a police chief and tells her not to.. A shame.. actually. Her cooking is still over the top and she makes her character live on double shots.. caffeine and coffee.. Ugh..
-
Okay, nice switch. Books for me to avoid instead of adding to my lists. ;D
-
I HATED The girl with the Dragon Tatoo. It fits my definition of pornography, the graphic descriptions of torture and murder of women. Didn't go to the film either
mY fiction list so far this year:
Classics readers might enjoy his.
The Swerve , Henry Greenblatt rediscovery of classic poem by Lucretius
The Heart of the Matter, Graham Greene - part of my revisiting Greene a lifelong favorite
The Paris Wife, Paula McLain --Hemingway in 1920's Paris
The Marriae Plot, Jeffrey Eugenides young ivy league grads in the real world
The Cat's Table, Michael Ondaatje Ceylonese keds adventures on an ocean liner
The Girl in Hyacinth blue
Swamplandia Karen Fuller the almost Pulitzer Prize winner
If anybody would like my take on any , just let me know.
Nest on my list, a friend's pick, Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer. Any commenttEAD SOME Gread some great nonfiction too.
-
Has anyone here read Hilary Mantel's WOLF HALL and/or its sequel just out, BRING UP THE BODIES?
I have just finished reading the book review in the May 14th NEWSWEEK, and am curious. I love history, but am not fond of historical fiction, as so very much is distorted.
So I am not anxious to read these, but would love to hear from any and all who have read them. Please give some detail as to your experience in reading these or any other of Mantel's books. Thanks!
I loved, loved, loved all three of Stieg Larsson's books about Lisbeth Salandar. Saw and purchased all 3 Swedish movies and have seen the first American one.
I own The Borgia Bride by Jeanne Kalogridis in trade paperback, but have not yet read it.
-
My parents-in-law have both read Wolf Hall and were unimpressed, but unfortunately I can't remember why! They gave it to me to read but I haven't got round to it yet. It does seem to be one of those books that all the reviewers rave about and all the glitterati pretend to be taking on holiday with them (you know - all those articles where they ask MPs and people like that what they'll be reading on the beach. None of them ever says Agatha Christie or Mills & Boon.)
Rosemary
-
bellemere, what is your "take" on "The Cat's Table"? I am supposed to lead the discussion at my f2f book club in July. If it's not worth it, I may change the selection to something else?
-
Ye s, I always figure with the books I am reading category for celebreties, that they have a good mystery hiding away behind the big important book..
-
Tomereader, I read The Cat's Table and did not care for it. I read it with the thought in mind to recommend it to my ftf reading group and had read a lot of good reviews about it. I found it rather tedious and decided not to recommend it. Maybe others will feel differently.....
I finished Hunger Games. I found it spell binding, couldn't quit reading it. I have put my name on the waiting list (4 people are ahead of me) for the 2nd. I didn't expect to like it; but I really did. I did expect to like The Cat's Table, but didn't. Go figure. I will definitely recommend Hunger Games.
Sally
-
I can see where I am going to break down and read Hunger Games, my granddaughter has been after me for a month at least.. We generally like what the other reads..
-
Valerie went to see the movie, "Hunger Games" the other day. I need to ask her if she thinks
I would like the book. She has a pretty good idea of what I like and what I don't.
-
I have read all 3 books and find them extremely well thought out. Collins is trying to teach today's teenagers (mostly girls will read these books) of the dire results of continuous war and dictatorship. In other words, the lessons of History that most members of each generation do not pick up because they find History boring.
The books are written for "young adults" and are not deep in the least tiny bit. Very easy, quick reading. She is a master writer.
-
Steph, I think you would like the Hunger Games. I am on the waiting list for the 2nd and my daughter tells me to go ahead and reserve the 3rd. She read it because her 11 yr old son was reading it for his class and she wanted to see what it was about. At the time, I thought my grandson was a little too young for it; but after reading it, I can see what held his interest. Unfortunately, he does not like to read and she and I encourage any appropriate book that will hold his interest. My older sister (76), myself (69), my daughter (41) and my grandson (11) all enjoyed it. You can't say that about many books these days.
Sally
-
Here I am back in the land of the living I think.
Thanks Pedlin for the card. I too have been car shopping not
quite so studious as Pedlin, I drove into the dealer and said
this Tahoe is just too big and my people are haveing too much
trouble getting in and out. I didn't mention I too was having a problem
Saw a Kia Soul bought it and went home.No research. After driving a
Tajhoe for 20 years and having never driven a foreign car I had to learn
a few things in a hurry.
Ann I never recieved a card that I know of but thanks anyway. I hope you and Ralph feel
better soon.
Don is home again and doing very well. All the health people who come here are
very surprised and most have signed off already.Of course you still can't tell him anything
so the walker he promised to use is in the garage.
His only problem now is his balance and of course his memory but he is doing well.
Too long of a story now but I got myself in a mess wlhhich is not unusual for me.
I bought a shit zu in the parking lot of a feed store, I could tell something was really wrong
so I took her and turned out she was supposed to be going to a rescue place and the lady
stostsytole her and sold her to me.Th
-
Well I guess that post was done. With me anyway it just sort of stop.
Thanks to all who gave me all the support in the last few weeks too
many to mention. But thanks to all.
-
JUdy, I am so glad that you sound back to your old self.. Take care of yourself. I hope the new dog works out for you.. I do a lot of rescue work.. I hope this one is a good one for you and Don. Just dont let him take it for a walk.
-
JUDY: so glad you're back and things are going well for Don. What a pity about the dog: I guess no good deed goes unpunished.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Sort of weird. I was digging into my tbr pile yesterday and came up with the last book that Dick
Francis and his son cowrote.. To my amazement, it has a lot of sex in it.. Dick Francis always was so discrete and slid over sex.. so this must be his sons additions. I will probably not try anything that his son has written by himself.. This was sort of dropped in,, did not really affect the plot oth er than silliness. Darn.
-
I bet the publishers told Francis junior to 'sex it up a bit'.
-
Wolf Hall is really long and yes it is historical fiction. The lead character did exist in hostory, a close associate of Hanry VIII, and a very clever power broker. It is full of wonderaful details, especially about the Boleyns, who have bee written to death, it seems. I ould not reccomend it to a book club that only meets once a mont, it is far too long. Also, without a rudimentary knowledge of English history a reader would get confused by all the titles and events.
the Cat's Table is written from the point of view of one of the young teenaged passengers traveling to England on the ocean liner, with digressions into the later life of Michael Ondaatje, that I suspect are autobiographical. I think readers who enjoy exotic settings and cultural differnces would lke it.
But Swamplandia is one of the books I am going to reccomend when my turn comes up. This youngwriter takes you on a wild adventure in the Florida Everglades; agein the protagonist is a child. It has southern Gothic air about it , dark humor, a family had an alligaror wtestling theme park .. They all wrestle al gaors, even the 13 year old heroine. Eccentric characters , implausible situations, but the little girl is a "True Grit" kinda gal.
-
Hmm, I t hink that Swamplandia is somewhere in my tbr pile.. Must look and try to move it up..
Yesterday was a quiet day.. Both of my sons called and it was lovely to hear their voices.. As I grow older and am a widow, I realize that living very very close to children could be lovely.
-
Yes, indeed, STEPH. My three were all here, and even though I was not at my best it was stilll
a pleasure to have them there, enjoying one another.
Thanks for describing "Swamplandia" for us, BELLE. I am now thinking I might enjoy that one.
I'll look for it and give it my 'scan' for first impression.
-
I love living close to my daughter and grandkids, and feeling that I'm part of their lives. Even if just sitting aside watching them.
-
Better late than never. Thanks very much to all those who helped me understand the use of academic "letters" after people's names in the US. I just have to draw the conclusion that my ex FIL was a pompous academic snob, but I already knew that.
When my daughter got her PhD I called her my Doctor BabyGirl. Seemed apt. Have not said it since though. She doesn't feel comfortable about the doctor title either, although she worked bloody hard to get it. C'est La Vie.
I loved Rosemary's take on the Dr title her hubby has. Doctors on a plane. :o
MaryPage - I love the Countess.
JoanK - I have emailed Pat about my problems/inability to get involved with Antigone at the moment.
I haven't had any hot water for 5 days now and of course Brisbane is experiencing record low temperatures. Quotes on new hot water systems are outrageous, but one needs hot water, desperately!
-
Oh Roshanarose, that is dreadful. We had a long power cut (days) in the winter and I was reduced to going to the swimming pool to use their hot showers. And boiling water on the stove - no fun. I hope you get it sorted soon. I dread our boiler giving up the ghost, they are sooooo expensive.
-
oh dear heating water is no fun - although, having a large pot of steam when it is cold does warm up the room especially with a stick of cinnamon floating and an apple that can be pulled out for lunch but to do laundry and not to be able to take a soaking bath or shower - that has got to be getting old.
-
UNless I am ill, I use cold water for washing clothes and have for years. They get clean and I save on electric..When I am sick, I turn the hot water faucet back on and make sure it is very hot to get rid of germs, etc.
-
re academic titles
My granddaughter will start at University of Virginia next fall and I have been reading their site. Because Thomas Jefferson, their founder, never acquired a formal doctoral degree, all the professors are addressed as Mrl, Ms., or Mrs. to honor him.
-
Your granddaughter must be the same age as my great granddaughter, the oldest of now 20 great grandchildren, my Emily. Emily graduates from High School in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday, May 20th. She has won 4 scholarships and a Pell Grant so far, and has chosen to attend the Kansas State University School of Architecture. I gave her a drafting table for a graduation gift. It is a 5-year program, and she will wind up with a masters and a certificate declaring her an architect.
Time goes by sooooooo fast! My youngest (of 13) granddaughter is now married with 3 daughters! All (the granddaughters) have finished school, though some still plan to go back for more degrees. Granddaughter Joanna graduates from Nursing School next weekend. She paid me a wonderful visit last Friday.
Being a Virginian, as far as I am concerned Virginia is THE University. Be sure to tell your granddaughter they have no campus. It is called The Lawn.
-
And it's a great place to visit.
-
The most gorgeous university.. I love visiting that area. There is so much to see and do in Charlotteville.
-
Those are interesting facts about the U of Va, bellemere and MaryPage -- the Lawn, Mr, etc.
I love Charlottesville and was a frequent visitor when my youngest daughter lived there. U VA is a beautiful campus. While living in C'ville my daughter went there for her Masters in Public Health. Now I get to visit her in New York City. Can't complain about that, but I do miss C'Ville.
My youngest DC area granddaughter graduates from high school this year also. All the public high schools in the area have their ceremonies in Constitution Hall. I don't know who their graduation speaker will be and I don't remember the speaker at her sister's graduation four years ago. But at her brother's graduation two years ago they were supposed to have Helen Thomas, but ended up with Bob Schieffer after the Thomas bruhaha. Lizzie is going to Vanderbilt, majoring in vocal performance. I wish her the best, but the arts world is a tough one out there.
-
With a couple of friends, I am planning a Road Scholar trip to Charlottesville in the fall. It is entitled Three Friends, anc includes the homes of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. Looking forward to seeing Charlottesville. I have heard so many people describe it as lovely and charming. My granddau ghter will be at the university and I beleive she will be delighted tosee us for about ten minutes.
Just finished Digging to China by Anne Tyler. Not that great, too much time spent describing food people were served and clothes they wore. Two American couples adopt little girls from Korea., and become friends. I think Anne Tyler has done better than this.
going to Cape Cod this weekend for nephew's wedding in the tiny chapel on falmouth Harbor, and reception at the Woods Hole Golf Club, the very club where I used to drop off his dad to caddy.time sure does fly! Ted is a computer science guy,, plans to back to school, probably M.I.T. for something called cybersecurity.
-
Bellemere: " I have heard so many people describe it as lovely and charming."
It is that! It's also like any college town when school is in session: a little hectic and full of young people.
-
Bellemere, I have visited all three of the homes, along with a tavern that Patrick Henry owned.. Jeffersons home is glorious. What a brilliant mind.. I also loved The Hermitage in Nashville. Jackson adored his Rachel..Beautiful house, very livable..I love older homes . They have such character. Have visited a lot of big homes over the years.. Biltmore is by far the most liveable of all of the stately homes,, although Teddy Roosevelts" Sagamore Hill" is a wonderful house for children. He obviously never quite grew up in some charming ways.
-
Steph, I agree about Biltmore. I have visited it several times...never got tired of it or the beautiful "park" around it. I could always quite easily picture myself living there. :)
-
For a real spectacle, you should go to the Biltmore when it's decorated for Christmas. You wouldn't think there were that many poinsettias in the world.
-
Bellemere, the historic mall in C'ville is definitely worth a visit -- more to just slowly amble outdoors than to shop. It's been a few years, but last time I was there there were several book stores, including one called "Read it Again, Sam." For both new and used books.
The gardens at Monticello were lovely, and there were wonderful vegetable gardens, too. Huge. Someone told me that the people who worked there were beneficiaries of the produce. The first time I went there, about 10 years ago, we took a picnic lunch and sat at an old table in Jefferson's orchard. Lovely. I think they've become a little more strict now about picnicers. There's also a garden shop/nursery just outside the actual estate where one can buy native plants.
-
As I recall there is not much privacy to the bedrooms in the Biltmore - the paintings in the upstairs sitting room caught my attention. where as the exercise room in the basement was a hit with the boys and yep, we were there at Christmas - my two Grandsons brought me as their Christmas Gift and we had dinner - one of my daughter's friends in one of the chefs - Dining was all hurry and frankly disappointing table setting and service for the price. I was disappointed for the boys - it was their first time taking me someplace when Ty had his license.
I just looked at all those books and wondered where and if they were cataloged - thought it was a missed opportunity since the huge gift stores were selling replica's of bits and pieces from and about the house I thought an annual release of nicely bound copies of about 5 Titles from the library along with a guest Lit professor giving a lecture followed by a short month long online synopsis of both lecture and contents of the 5 chosen books. In that part of the country there are so many good universities to nab a Lit prof and there are many high quality bookbinding establishments.
-
Why don't you suggest that, Barbara? The Cecil family is always open to making more profit from Biltmore. They might decide to do that. ;) Sorry the dinner was a disappointment. Was that at the Inn? Back in the days, before the Inn was built, we used to eat in The Winery or the nice little restaurant in the Stables. It wasn't set up to be posh so we didn't expect that but the food was always very good. I remember a dessert---Death by Chocolate. Still dream about it. yum! ::)
-
I love old house museums, too. I volunteer as a docent at Wistariiahurst, the family home of one of our valley's first industrialists who came from england at age eithtee and built a tremendous business on the banks of the Connecticut river, manufacturing silk. It is also the city's cultural center with concerts, lectures, art lessons, dances, lots of activities going on in the great Music Room. Wedding, too, although without a liuor license, only the ceremony.
I have also been to Emily dickinson's house in amherst, Herman Melville's in Pittsfield, mark Twian's in Hartford, louisa May Alcott's in Concord, along with Ralph Wald Emerson's and Nathaniel Hawthorne, Paul Rever's in the North End of boston and the Kenndy compound in Hyannisport (only seen from a boat, not open to tourists at this time)
Just beginning State of Wonder, by anne Patchett, my book club's selection for the month. I loved her other book, Bel Canto.
-
I have never eaten at the Inn but love the stable and the open air patio. Lots of New England homes, I have visited most of them from my ten years in New England.. They are not particularly my cup of tea. I mostly felt sorry for the Alcott family.. But Hawthornes House of Seven Gables house is neat..
Went to New Port, but those houses are all pretense,, nothing that people would really want to live in.
-
Since this is a site for new Best Sellers I will add my comments.
An excellent new legal best seller is The Litigators .
I would not be surprised if this novel would be turned into a movie.
The author is a lawyer ( John Grisham ) .
Several of his novels have been made into movies.
He is a favorite author and an excellent story teller.
Each of his novels have been a page turner and hard not to
complete as quickly as possible.
-
Nice to meet you, RETIRED. Is this your first visit here? I didn't know Grisham had a new book
out. He is good.
-
John Grisham's THE LITIGATORS was great! Loved the characters and the writing. A vast improvement over the previous couple of Grisham's books.
My favorite books so far this year:
GOD ON THE ROCKS by Jane Gardam.
SNOWDROPS by A. D. Miller
THE PLEASURE OF MY COMPANY by Steve Martin.
Marj
-
Welcome retired.. This is actually for new and old books.. I am not a Grisham fan, but know there are a lot on here. I was rooting through my to be reads.. found The Time Travelers Wife from several years ago and am using that as my bed book. It is sort of episodic, so makes a good just before sleep sort of book.. Interesting.. Was it also a movie??
-
I also very much enjoyed "The Pleasue of My Company", MARJ. I want to read the Grisham
and Gardam books, too, but my library doesn't have the Gardam book. I imagine they will
get the Grisham, once all the remodeling is done and they can start shelving books again.
-
Steph, Time Traveler's Wife was also a movie. I didn't care much for the book (although it was kinda interesting) or the movie. The book was a selection for my ftf reading group. About half the group liked it and the other half didn't.
I am currently reading the second book in Hunger Games (Catching Fire). I am about half way through and I am liking it as much as I did the first one. I have already put my name on the waiting list for the third. I am so glad that my daughter kept insisting that I read it.
Sally
-
Hi, RETIRED! I keep meaning to try Grisham. I love "Legal Beagle" detective stories.
-
Time Travelers Wife is interesting in many ways., Very very disjointed, but that is the purpose. I think it is somewhat creepy that he keeps visiting his wife, when she is a small child.. But just finished last night on his memories of the car accident that killed his mother and he jumped time to be saved.. Odd for sure.
-
I usually like a book much better than the movie. But The movies made of John Grisham's novels are better in my opinion. I thought the changes made in the screen version of The Firm made it more interesting by far.
-
I think I've read most of Grisham's books and seen most of the movies - obviously I enjoy his story-telling. It does seem to me, though, that his books are almost reading like movie scripts. And, indeed, he may have a movie deal in place before a new book is written. At least I assume he knows that it's a possibility.
-
I just think that Grisham is predictable.. plus his women are made of wood.. So I skip him, but my husband loved him..
-
I've never liked him, either, Steph. Right now I am reading a Harlan Coben in paperback and a Georgette Heyer on my IPad.
-
I am midway through Stat of Wonder by Anne Patchett. A big thumbs up! Adventure story about a doctor working for a pharmaceutical company is sent to check the progress at their research station in the Amazon jungle, and find out what exactly happened to a colleague who died there. The descripttion of the jungle wildlife is so vivid, the plants and animals , snakes , lizards, and horrible insects. Excuse me, I think there is something crawling up the back of my neck.
-
I love Ann Patchett.. Have put the book on my list.. I am trying to finish a Jodi Picoult..Sing me home.. Dragging in spots..She does that sometimes.
-
In June I have to make recommendations for our book club. We do not met again until Setember, so they said I could present two books for summer. We have been drifing into some really fluffy not so hot books, and I want to get back to better authors and even classica here are some ideas I am considering.
1. We have never read Anna Karenina. I can just hear the moans now. "Too long! Too hard."
Long yes, hard, no. Tolstoy may have been a genius, but he was a simple man and used simple language. The only hard part are the damn Russian nicknames, but you can figure those out. Anna Karenina is also Anna Ardadyevna because her father's first name was Arkady. and so forth. All the listmakers put it in the top ten and most put it at number 1. Worth spending the summer. Wonderful book.
2. A "twofer" The Paris Wife" paired with "the Sun Also rises: . The first is fiction about life i Paris, with the first of Ernest's four wives and the second is the novel he was struggling to write during those years. Could also add "AMoveable Feast", nonfiction account in his words fifty years later about those days in Paris.
3. Anoterh twofer: "in the Garden of Beasts" nonfiction about the experience of the American Ambassador to Berlin in the early 30's watching the rise of Hitler; and "lLittle Man, What Now?" a novel by Hans Fallada about a working class couple trying to stay out of the way as this madman takes over. It was written in Berlin in 1933 and got Hitler so mad he prevented its publication for years.
3. Another twofer: The Good Earth by Pearl
Buck; and Pearl Buck: A Life in China, non fiction biography.
4 Last: "the Power and the Glory by Graham Greene, a great great author of novels o consicience.
5. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote and the DVD of the movie "Capote" about how he wrote the book and his exploitation of the prisoners . He nver wrote another book, the experience shatterede him, and he descended into alcoholism.
Any comments?
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Great choices! Glad to find another Tolstoy lover. We read War and Peace a few years ago, but haven't read Anna (in the time I've been here).
I tell everyone the secret to reading Tolstoy is creative skimming. He has certain "hobby-horses that he likes to ride over and over. Once you recognize them you can just go "Oh, here he goes again" and skim until he's finished. He really needed an editor, but who was going to edit Lord Tolstoy?
Having said that, I've read Anna at least four times.
-
Fellos tolstoy lover! I really hope they go for Anna. My translation is the "old ' one bye Constance Garnett. I understnad there is a new one and I hope it is downloadable onto y Nook. I, too, have read it multiple times, and I am ready to take that journeuy through the ballrooms and blizzards and the passion once again!
-
The ballrooms, blizzards and passions sound grand but oh dear not yet another victimized woman... - however, I really would love to read Little Man, What Now - did not know about it till you shared - looked it up on Amazon and it sounds grand just by itself without even pairing it with In The Garden of the Beasts which would be another good read but is it fiction or history -
We did the Good Earth some years ago - Rather than Graham Greene how about Graham Swift or better yet - Hilary Mantel with The Giant, O'Brien: A Novel - the clash of Irish and British culture - fantasy versus science -
Oh and Capote's Christmas stories are ever more charming with just as much literary skill don't you think.
And talk about Paris, I am looking forward to the release in the fall of Mission to Paris: A Novel by Alan Furst
-
I loved In Cold Blood and the movie and would do that in a minute. I like the Hitler thing as well. I have read and hated Anna. I simply do not like Russian novels and refuse to even try any more. Dont know if that helps..
Also a neat book is Ann Patchetts first.. "The Patron Saint of Liars".. It really dug into my skin years ago.. A complicated book.
-
Bellemere, such good suggestions. Let us know what is selected.
-
I finally finished the Jodi Picoult.. Sing me Home.. She tried hard to show both sides of a complicated arguement.. I guess I had trouble with both ends.. But she did a good job.. First one of hers that I have not ended it furious .. Her endings are alwaysabrupt.
-
Well, we appear to have a winner for SeniorLearn's June Book Club Online discussion - very close between the top two. Polls will be open for the rest of the day - results may change in the next few hours. If you haven't voted, but have a preference, your vote will make a difference.
* VOTE HERE FOR RUN-OFF by 5/29!! (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DGZRHRL)
ps Ann Patchett is on the list!
-
You end Jodi Picoult books furious, yet keep reading them? You never impressed
me as a glutton for punishment, STEPH. ;D
-
The thing about Picoult.. Her stories are interesting.. but her conclusions infuriate me.. So reading the book up to the last 10 pages is great.. Silly but true.
-
::) Well, I did ask. How about a project? Re-write the endings to all the Picoult
books and offer them to other readers who hate her endings. ;D
-
Ah Babi, I love the suggestion, but I do know I am a minority of one on the endings. People love her. She is an excellent researcher, writes an interesting book, but then abruptly ends, sort of in mid sentence.
-
Actually, I don't know that I've read any of her books. I think I saw the film of "My Sister's Keeper", which was okay but not terribly memorable. I know a few of them have been
mentioned here, but I wasn't really interested. No idea why.
-
I am reading a good, big, historical fiction book - 600 pages - The Physician by Noah Gordon. It's set the 11th century and starts in England. When he was 10 his mother died in childbirth and shortly after his father died of tb. He was taken in by a "barber-surgeon" who traveled about performing entertainment of juggling, etc and selling "medicine" for all ills. He did also do some true "doctoring", setting bones, etc. Rob, the boy, learned all his tricks, but by the time he was 18 wanted to be able to really heal people. At the time the best medical schools were in "Persia." So he takes two years to get to Persia and tries to get admitted to the med school. I won't spoil it for you w/ any further info. The author has apparently done a monumental job of research. There are many details. I'm 3/4s of the way thru and have enjoyed it, altho i just skimmed a number of pages that were gruesome about the Muslim style of punishments and entertainment.
There is a good deal of Rob questioning the rationale of Jewish and Muslim religious practices and behavior. I can't figure out if he's just stating factual information or being critical/cynical about the religions. His other books appear to have some religious stories. One is titled The Rabbi and one The Jerusalem Diamond, so i'm not sure where he stands. But it has been an entertaining story.
Jean
-
A review on Amazon says:
"Family life, morality, religion, sexuality, medicine, xenophobia and history are all presented in an interesting, subtle, and easily read writing style. When Cole grows up and decides to be a physician, he comes in contact with Jewish doctors who explain to him that the best universities are in Moslem-ruled Persia, where no Christian may go. Determined to learn, Cole overcomes this obstacle by pretending to be a Jew. As he travels and studies in Persia, the same questions of lifestyle are addressed, only this time within the Jewish and Moslem communities. This is a great read for anyone who likes adventurous stories about growing up, or who is interested in sociology, religion, medicine, or history."
It is the first of a trilogy. The writing reminds me very much of Pillars of the earth and the way Ken Follett writes.
Jean
-
Well, JEAN, I'm generally interested in all of those things, so it sounds like "The
Doctor" would be something I'd want to look up. Thanks for the review.
-
I like NOah Gordon and have read several of his books.. ONly thing is he is long winded.. But you can always skip part of it.. Too much research is my opinion.
-
Babi - "The Physician"
-
"The Physician" really sounds interesting, Jean. Will check my library for it.
-
I've put Noah Gordon's THE PHYSICIAN on my TBR list. Thanks, Jean.
Marj
-
Fair warning! There are some gruesome parts, some medical related, some tyranny related. Another one of those books that makes me glad to be living in the USA in the 20/21st century.
Jean
-
I am now involved in sorting out the books I brought with me to the mountains. I just packed up three boxes of tbr's and did not sort. So now I am having a ball looking at all sorts of stuff, I did not remember having.
-
Oh, okay, JEAN. Thanks for the correction. That will be a great help in finding the book! ;D
Sounds like fun, STEPH. I can relate to that. A lovely, tempting smorgasbord of books!
-
I came in this afternoon to let you know the results of the recent voting have been counted. We have a winner for our next group Book Club Online discussion.
How many of you have read Ann Patchett's award winning Bel Canto? Or her recent State of Wonder? You've got to wonder where the seeds for these very different novels come from.
In the book just selected, Run, she's written the story of two families who come together following a traffic accident during a snowstorm. It quickly becomes clear that the families -- a poor, single black mother with her 11-year-old daughter and a white, Irish Catholic, former Boston mayor with a biological son and two adopted black college-aged sons, whose much-loved wife died over 20 years ago -- have a connection. The book is about families, what makes a family - and politics, as the author has stated - how political responsibility plays out in the smallest and most intimate scale of family life.
If you think you might join us in mid June, please leave a note in the new discussion today - at http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?board=136.0
-
It is 46 degrees that morning.Wow.. A sweatshirt was pulled on at our arly 6:15 walk..But it felt wonderful.. Will get up to mid 70's sometime later today..I am loving this..
-
Yesterday was so beautiful here. After taking my grandson to his basketball practice camp, i sat in the car for an hour reading The Physician, waiting for him to finish, and then spent the afternoon on the patio - low 70s, breeze blowing, sun shining - and read and read to try to fnish the 600 pages, and i did and i still recommend it to those of you who like historical fiction and/or any of those issues the reviewer mentioned above.
One of the most interesting things for me about reading it is to be here in the 21st century and "knowing" more then the people in the book know about medical situations. So the reader knows what is going on and what might happen next when the characters don't know.
I still haven't decided if Gordon is anti-religion or if it's my bias that I'm reading into his "facts" of the time. I did skim more of the last quarter of the book and Gordon's packing in a lot of details, as Steph mentioned, where the details didn't necessarily carry the story forward.
I still recommend it.
Jean
-
Perfect weather here at the moment. I should be out walking. Maybe little later when sun goes down. sort of lazy today.
-
I just finished The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. I found the book depressing and was terribly disappointed in it. I had so been looking forward to reading it. Sigh.......I am glad to hear that the movie is nothing like the book. Anyone else have an opinion of the book????
Sally
-
I never read the book, Sally; but I loved the movie.
-
I want to see the movie, but in this tiny town, the four movie does not do that sort.. Mostly shoot em ups.. I may have to settle for the book or put it onmy net flix queu.
-
I have read Bel Canto and State of wonder and liked the former best. State of wonder is a wild ride, though, and very enhoyable. Is "Run" the book for June?
-
Yes :Dit is, Belle...we'll begin June 15...and probably spend two weeks on it...before moving on to Great Expectations in July.
I picked up my copy from the library this evening and can't put it down.
If you think you might join us, please stop over to the discussion when you see this...and reserve a seat. :D
We're here...
http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?board=136.0
-
I am currently reading Mr. Pip by Lloyd Jones; and am enjoying it very much. I think someone on this site recommended it. It takes place on a tropical island that is shattered by war. Almost everyone has left; but the lone white man sweeps out the school and starts reading Great Expectations to the remaining children. It would be interesting to read this after, before or during our discussion on Great Expectations.
Sally
-
Time is still my enemy just now, but I have finished the Darling Dahlias.. May try a second, not quite sure..I did pick up a Patricia Cornwall that I have not read.. I have such mixed emotions about her heroine and the squib on the back of her books. Sort of like the second coming.
-
Salan, I also read The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and I agree with you it's depressing and a downer. I just came from seeing the movie, however, and it's the exact opposite. I just wrote on it in our Movies and Books into Movies section so I won't repeat it here.
The book itself is nothing like the movie, where it matters. The name of the hotel in India is the same, and there are some characters with the same names and that's where the similarities end.
-
I have never understood why the movie people do that. I can think of several book to movies that are so different as to be not even remotely he same.. I hate that.
-
If it ruins a good book, naturally I agree. But when it transforms a disappointing book into
a popular movie, great!
-
I guess what bothers me is changing the book into something entirely different.
-
Our Book club did Mr. Pip a couple of years ago. Everyone like it, a location so unfamiliar and exotic. Gave it to a friend who tsught for the Peace Corps in Papua New Guinea and she really loved it.
Just finished the Hans Falllada novel from 1932, Little Man, Wjat Now?
Very touching storu of a young couple struggling through the great depression in Germany.
I'm a little depressed myself. My macular degeneration is progressing and the eye doctor told me I should stop driving. What a blow . I have been drivingsince I was 17, loved the independence. However, my life is a lot "smaller" geographically; the YMCA, the library, the shopping center, , homes of a few girlfriends. And my hero is rising to the challenge of chauffering me . so far he has been so good about it, but it has only been a week. Actually I am kind of relieved. I have been driving scared for a long time and had a fender bender with a city dump truck last month that cost over 700 dollars. Now I can miss the independence, but not the driving! I told my husband I was going to get him a little black cap and sit in the back seat like Miss Daisy.
.
-
So sorry to hear that, Bellemere. One of my neighbours has been told to stop as he has blackouts associated with a heart condition, and he found it hard to come to terms with - though his wife is still driving. However, you are so right to look on the bright side - I hate driving! I find it much more peaceful to walk or to take public transport - no more worries about finding the right lane/turn off, or having to negotiate huge roundabouts with enormous lorries bearing down on you like monsters. I love sitting in the train and reading on my Kindle, or just looking out of the window and watching the world go by. It's great that your husband is happy to drive - make the most of it! A chauffeur's uniform is a must! ;D
Neither of my parents-in-law should be driving, I don't know how they scrape through the medicals. It is frightening to be in the car with them, and I know they find it very stressful, but they live somewhere with no public transport close by, and they aren't minded to move. My mother has never learned to drive, she could not have afforded to run a car once my father died. The only things she misses it for are getting to out of the way places, but she has good friends who give her lifts, or she takes taxis - which sound like an extravagance but actually work out a lot cheaper than paying for the road tax, insurance, petrol, car maintenance, etc. She does not feel lacking in independence, but I suppose that's maybe because she's never had a car.
-
I'm still driving, thank goodness, but only locally. Hearing isn't essential, but it does mean you
have to remain very alert to what's going on around you. You don't want the driver behind you
getting angry because he's honking at you madly and you're ignoring him! ;)
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I live two different places and neither has any sort of public transportation.Both have a van service. You reserve a week in advance and it only goes to targetted areas, so not even a tiny bit convenient. Before my eyes go, will have to figure out a convenient place to live that has buses or trains ( I love trains)
-
that's exactly where I am, Steph. We want to sell the house and rent somewhere convenient to fstores and services. We do have a van service but I must find outmore about it.
Another thing: like us, our doctors are getting old and retiring. Trying to find a new primary care doctor is daunting. "not accepting new patients " is often the answer. meanwhile the hospitals continue to build expensive new pribvate suites and millions of dollars on tecnology and we can't fine a doctor. My friend ffinally signed with a group tht employs nurse practitioners and primary care givers, and was lucky to fine a great one.
A new shoping center is going up less than a half mile from mile house on the other side of an intersection that c;urrently sees unbelievable traffic. You would be dead before you got th tohe market walking across that intersection! and no sidewalks.
-
I've had to give up driving. My son and my caretaker take me places, but there are times (like today) when I'd like to take off somewhere.
An idea: there are a lot of women out there looking to make a few extra dollars. I'll bet if you advertise, you could find someone willing to come and drive you one day a week. you could make that your "day out".
-
Having a driver for a day would be nice, and give my husband a break. I know that some working mothers whose kids get involved in a myread of sports, , ballet lessons, community activities, ...have hired drivers for the day so that they do not have to spend their entire non-wrking hours in the car.
-
When we add up what having a car cost us now per mile it is unbelievable. When we were putting miles on each year is was worth the expense be as we get older is is costing. I only put about 4000 miles a year on mine. Insurance has doubled. lets figure $700 then license is $99. Upkeep aprox $ 400 year. Gas is $3.79 gal. I was thinking of getting a new one but can't see it now. We have fantastic Public Transportation in my area. Just that we are so use to having a car parked at out door.
-
No public transportation in my small town. It's either drive or walk and I can't walk
very far. I once suggested the possibility of a motorbike, and my son freaked out.
He was sure I'd get myself killed on one of those,...and he could be right. I've
been know to bump into things driving one of those motorized shopping carts. :)
-
Oh Babi, such a mental picture of you in the cart racing around.. Florida really does not have good public transportation except in the cities and I am not sure I want to live downtown..
-
No public transportation, no taxis here either. You either have a car or wait for a bus ride on some regional transport that you have to schedule. It seems to be used mostly to take handicapped from their shelter home to their sheltered workshop.
If you don't have a car, you'd better be ready to be in assisted living here. A mile to the doctor isn't bad walking when you're well, but when you're ill and need to see the doctor, a mile might as well be 10 miles.
So, we keep two cars and love the independence it gives both of us.
-
Our community has a bus that serves seniors and disabled, although others can ride on a space available basis by paying full fare instead of the suggested donation. It spends most days within our county, but also goes to larger cities an hour or two away - shopping opportunities are limited in most of the communities here. Depending on the trip, people need to sign up a couple of days in advance, earlier for special trips. Our city has a taxi that runs two days a week. (we have a population of around 5,000). Otherwise, transportation is not available unless people drive or have friends who drive yet.
I am sure there's a feeling of vulnerability when people can no longer control where or when they can do basic shopping - some of our villages have nothing but bars, maybe a restaurant, and a gas convenience store, no other grocery or other stores. And no inter-village transportation. I can't imagine living in any of those villages - at least here we have stores within walking distance and the taxi.
I suppose a book based on a senior who can't drive would be boring - but I don't think Miss Marple drove, did she? I guess things are different in other countries.
-
Miss Marple didn't drive - but things aren't different in other countries, it's just that Miss Marple lived in the 1950s! In those days every village had a shop (or shops), a post office, chemist, doctor, blacksmith, dairy, etc. Nowadays most small villages in the UK (at least outside the Home Counties around London) have nothing. Our village has a train station and nothing else - no shops, no doctor, etc. The next village, Athelstaneford, has no shop and no train station either. There are numerous villages like ours in this area - we are only 20 miles east of Edinburgh, in a very popular commuter county, but the services are still centred on two or three towns - North Berwick, Haddington, Dunbar. Some of the larger villages like Gullane (which has a massive golfing fraternity) have some smaller shops and services.
We can get groceries delivered by the major supermarkets (for a fee) but I am still old-fashioned enough to want to see what I am buying. We can, of course, use internet shopping - Amazon, etc - and I do appreciate these things, but they are not a social event like shopping used to be for my mother. Also, many internet-based companies are now starting to charge huge premiums for delivering to parts of Scotland - not here in the Central Belt (yet) but just before I moved, one company doubled its delivery charges to Aberdeen city, which was ridiculous, as it's hardly 'remote'. People living in the real highlands, and on the islands, are hit with huge charges for these things.
Our doctors will only do home visits if they are convinced you are on your deathbed, and they use out of hours services at night - whereas 20 years ago when my son was a baby and we lived in a remote Aberdeenshire village, our local GP would drive out from his home 8 miles away if your child was ill in the night.
Incidentally Jeanne, our petrol now costs almost £1.40 a litre - I think that makes it about £5.60 a gallon, which I think is about $9 (may have the exchange rate a bit wrong, but still). Yes I do mean $9. People are really having to think about using their cars these days.
Rosemary
-
Rosemary.
Growing up in Greater Manchester. I was use to big towns and good transportation
Then in the US I thought would like to live on a few acres by a lake. Glad I didn't do it now. Have to be were everything is convenient. My town is. Everything within 4 miles even though my house on half a acre on city line. Big state University just starts a mile away. We are Twin Cities with mine not allowing anything other than University building
anymore. Other city has 154 thousand pop. now and growing everyday
-
The US has always been car crazy and that has not changed and probably wont. I adore trains and love it in Europe when I can train pretty much everywhere.
Small towns in the US depend on the proximity of a large city somewhere close. People here routinely drive about an hour and a half to Asheville for shopping , etc. This town has WalMart, and supermarkets, a move, etc. but no public transportation to get to them.
-
Oh, I definitely want to see what I'm buying, ROSEMARY. I want to be sure I'm getting
fruit that will actually finish ripening. If I'm going to buy bacon, I don't want it to
be 80% fat! And so on...
I don't think there is such a thing as a home visit by a doctor here anymore. You can
be referred for home nursing care with a registered agency, but that's pretty much the
limit for home calls.
When it comes to gas prices, I guess we're not as bad off as I thought. I had no idea
they were so steep in the U.K. Everything I need is fairly close, but still not a distance
I can walk. Library, post office, grocery stores..all within a 5-minute drive. It's my
daughter with her far-flung friends that eat up the gas, but I can't begrudge the dear
support of my days her social life.
-
Babi - By home visits, what I meant was when you call the doctor out outside surgery hours and he/she comes to your house. In years gone by, you would call the doctor's home, he would answer himself - or if he was out on a call, his long-suffering wife would answer. In the pre-mobile phone days, she would have to work out where he might be, or he would call her between each call (using the house phone of whomever he was visiting) to see if any more calls had come in. Then he would come to your house, whatever the time of night was.
This has now all but vanished. Most GP practices use contracted out of hours services staffed by doctors who often come from non-English speaking countries. Even to get one of them to call is like pulling teeth - usually you are referred to NHS24, which is then supposed to refer you to a GP who will be running an out of hours surgery at some central point in the city - you have to get yourself there. The only time I ever used it (when Madeleine was 3 years old and had a stiff neck and fever) I asked where the surgery was (we had just moved to the city) and was told by the NHS operator that she "hadn't a clue" (they are often in another part of the country and just answering all the calls from everywhere.) However, despite all the fanfares when this service was started, it soon became far too popular for the NHS's liking, and they then told us to call another service, staffed by nurses, not doctors, to ask for advice. This was, of course, pretty pointless, as the nurses could hardly diagnose over the phone when they're not even allowed to do so face to face. All they would say was 'take paracetamol'. This led to some real disasters - a girl in Aberdeen died of meningitis after her family were repeatedly told (on the phone) that she just had flu.
The NHS's attitude now is that we shouldn't bother any doctors at all unless we are 99% dead. They now tell us to 'ask your pharmacist' - again completely ridiculous, as pharmacists are not doctors, cannot prescribe drugs, and do not want to take any repsonsibility (and who can blame them?) On the rare occasions that I have asked their advice for children's ailments, they have always said 'you need to see your doctor'.
Our GPs are constantly complaining about overwork, but to be honest my sympathy for them is limited. They are paid huge salaries, get more holidays than anyone else except teachers, and have guaranteed pensions that they can take at an earlier age than anyone else because their work is deemed 'stressful'.
I appreciate that we have the NHS and the USA does not, but it is definitely not the institution it once was. This is partly, of course, because of a mushrooming, ageing population making more and more demands on it, but also IMO owing to the many many years of mismanagement and waste that have drained the NHS of resources. We now pay for BUPA - something I never thought I would do - because it is quite scary to think that one of us might be at the whim of the NHS if we were seriously ill.
Off soapbox now ;D
Rosemary
-
Rosemary, I don't want a National Health Service here in the U.S. and Generally speaking, I don't believe a whole lot of other folks do either. I know that people have been brain-washed into thinking a NHS is a panacaea (sp), but our medical systems here, although outrageously expensive, are the best in the world. No, no house calls. However your Primary Care Physician will, indeed call you back, if you leave an emergency message on their phone. They usually know you pretty well, and if it is something outside your usual health condition, they will tell you to go to the E.R. E.R.'s are the function of medical care that are suffering right now, and have been for a long while. People with NO Health Insurance, go to the ER with any minor complaint causing backups in being seen and long, long waits.
off my soapbox now, too! :-X
-
More over Tomereader and let me climb up there on your soapbox. I am in favor of National health insurance.
And our health system is not the best in the world; we have a lower life expectancy than many countries and a higher rate of child mortality. It is just the most expensive system in the world. Sure we have some amazing surgeosn my town ns in our big metropolitan hospitals, but yu can't get an appointment with a specialist for weeks. And not enough doctors "accepting new patients" Lots to fix but we are making a start and we will eventually have the best health system in the world.
-
Tome - we also have this issue with the ER (A & E as it is called here - Accident and Emergency) but not because people don't have insurance - it's partly because so many GPs surgeries simply say "no appointments, you will have to go up to A & E "- so you end up taking your child there for something you know the GP could have dealt with, and also because many people seem to think that every single thing they have is an emergency. Sometimes I do think that if they had to pay for it, of even for a bit of it, they wouldn't rush up there quite so often - some of them almost seem to treat it like a social club. It is at its absolute worst on Friday and Saturday nights (I would only go there then if I was desperate) because A & E also has to deal with the fall-out from our appalling binge drinking culture. The poor staff spend most of the night pumping teenagers' (and it's not only teenagers) stomachs and treating them for alcohol poisoning.
At the moment we have a very good documentary series on TV - '24 Hours in A & E' - it is filmed at King's College Hospital, one of the major central London hospitals. Some of the cases are very touching - elderly people who have lived in the area all their lives, for example - but most of the work for the staff is alcohol and/or gang culture-related. Last week there was a 40 year old woman who had serious brain injuries from falling down the stairs in a wine bar after drinking all day with her step-sister. When they spoke much later on (as in months - and the woman still wasn't right) they were both sensible-sounding, average people, both had proper jobs, homes, etc - but they had seen fit to start drinking at lunchtime and continue till late at night. There was also a young black boy who died of stab wounds - the doctors said it was the 3rd one that week, and that they know that once they have one, they will have more - revenge killings. The security outside the hospital has to be rachetted up, and they showed you their CCTV, - at the main entrance there were groups of hooded youths hanging about, waiting to slip into the hospital and finish off the job for their 'brothers'. In this case they didn't have to, as the boy died on the table. Horrible.
-
One of the nicer things I saw years ago while living near Allentown, PA, was that they had a number of 24/7care clinics for minor emergencies, etc. to relieve the pressure on emergency rooms so that the hospital ERs could concentrate on life-threatening or more critical emergencies. They only just started opening several here in the Harrisburg area several years ago in areas not very close to the hospitals.
Now I hear that Pinnacle Health wants to build a new 100 private room hospital near where I live. We already have two hospitals in Harrisburg, one in Hershey, and one in Camp Hill. It's placement and the fact that it will have all private rooms leads me to believe that they are going to cater to the more affluent on the West Shore and for the convenience of those who don't like to travel in Harrisburg or try to find parking over there. They argue that it will provide more convenient access to a hospital for accident victims on Interstate 81. That may be true, but many of the major accidents on 81 in this area are closer to Carlisle, and therefore, closer to the Carlisle Hospital. In the meantime, I don't think there is anything down Route 15 towards Gettysburg or up 15, for that matter for quite a piece. If they really want to make it convenient for people farther out, then why not place one in either of those directions? Pinnacle, has been pretty aggressive in buying up outpatient imaging and other small or regional services.
Holy Spirit has been expanding, but not nearly as aggressively. Hershey Med is our big research hospital which is affiliated with Penn State. It includes a children's hospital which is helpful. Sick children don't have to endure a long trip to Philadelphia any more.
How did I get set off onto this tangent?
One more thing, my Dr. let me know years ago that he does house calls (don't know if that is still true). And he will call back if you leave a message with his answering service.
-
I still think the the Health System in UK is good. I have seen it working still in the Past 8 years. Now this with the Elders. It has to be were you live I think. Lost 2 Aunts and A brother in the last 4 years. I saw doctors stopping at one aunts on his way home just to check out how her home help was doing. She just passed 2 years ago.Age 94.
A aunt got the best of care right up to passing at 91. My friends are now 84 and this year alone they have taken care of Knee replacement. Teeth, Heart problem and today he is having Catera ch surgery. True was on a list but only for about 5 weeks
.
I have use them the last 2 times over and got a appointment same day at the local clinic. Now family live in a village. Close to the town.
They have the same system in Canada and seems to work O.k for them according to my Canadian Friends.
Just seems to be that the USA cannot do anything right that does not show a profit. First thing we need to do is get drug prices down so that they are not making millions and some doctors making money by writing prescription. I have now lost the five doctors here in town that I started out with 35 years ago. Along with my Dentist. The ones that have now replaced them. their thinking nothing the same. Think a pill will take care of everything.
-
Jeanne, I certainly agree with you about prescriptions and drugs. I think it is much less likely for us to come out of the doctor's surgery with a prescription (if we ever get in, that is :)), and I do think that is a good thing. There are quite a lot of controls on how many perks doctors can legitimately take from drug companies.
Appointments seem to be a lottery. When we lived in Aberdeen, some people could get appointments with their GPs immediately, whereas our particular GP practice was like Fort Knox. If we had been staying, I think I would have changed doctors. Dentists are a huge problem here because successive cuts to training schools mean that there simply aren't enough of them, and especially not enough of them willing to work within the NHS when they can make huge profits by working privately. I have been lucky enough to find a lovely NHS dentist here, but that is why I am having to wait over a month for the second stage of root canal treatment - she is simply overwhelmed.
I think the premise of the NHS is a very good thing. Unfortunately, as we have discussed before, wealth in this country is becoming polarised, with a small % of the population now rich beyond anything we could have ever imagined even 20 years ago, and the rest of UK society left with insufficient funds to cover the needs of people who are living longer and longer. Our current government is also determined to follow the profit model for everything. I find it all quite scary, and I do wonder what life will be like for my children when they are my age.
Sorry, I know this isn't about fiction, so I will now shut up!
R
-
This a really complex subject, and involves philosophical as well as technical issuesl IIn our country there is a strong suspicion that a system of National Health Insurance would be giving "something for nothing" to lazy undeserving people. " Then the whole "Am I my brogher's keeper> " argument comes up. Strong emotions can prevail on either side, but statistics show that the current system of runaway costs is unsustainable. Something has to give. We need insurance for all people and cost controls for all providers. And more primary care doctors!
we should leave this subject for a different forum, don't you think?
-
Actually, the pharmacists may be better informed about the medicines than the doctors.
The doctors often cannot keep up with all the new meds, and the pharmacists can certainly
check their computers and tell us of any contraindications to taking the med., or any
unwanted interaction with other meds. One of Valerie's doctors sent her home with a new
med and on reading the label she found the warning that on rare occasions it could cause
death,...even with the first dose.
She took this Rx. back to the doctor, asking him pathetically why he gave her a med.
that could kill her! He hadn't read up on the med., was horrified, and immediately told
the nurse to remove all the samples from their shelves.
Sometimes I do think that if they had to pay for it, of even for a bit of it, they
wouldn't rush up there quite so often.
You're so right about that, ROSEMARY.
We're getting more and more of those 24/7 emergency care clinics here, too, FRYBABE.
They really to fill a major need and are much more speedy and convenient. If your
emergency requires transfer to a hospital, the expense becomes part of your insurance
coverage.
-
The 24/7 clinics around where I live ( in Florida) are wonderful. They are smart enough to refer for genuine emergencys and handle the day to day stuff very nicely. I must also put in a good word for the nurses.. I have a 800 number for nursesfrom my insurance. I have callled, you always get an RN after the initial triage and they have been helpful.. To either reassure me or send me directly to a doctor or once to the emergency room.. So I like them. I get my prescriptions by mail, so never talk to a pharmacist, but anything new always arrived with a whole sheet of what it should do, things to look for , etc.
But it would be nice to even be in the top 10 for medical care. The US does a horrid job unless you are rich rich rich..
-
Does it seem to you that our whole society is being transformed by money/ Not just hour health care system, but our elections. It is really scary. Presidents are not elected anymore; they ore sold by expensive TV advertising. Colleges are becoming more and more for rich kids . Public education sufers cuts and the private schools become more expensive. Even the airlines; you now pay for "early boarding; families with children used to get that privilege. Do you think there is anything that money can't buy? Maybe love, just mauybe.
-
Yep, I agree, you are even encouraged to make money from your hobbies and if you do not you loose respect - volunteerism is built around making money for the cause - it goes on and on - I am a hold out for one of my mother's sayings when she described people as either "being rich from having money" or "being poor for not having money."
-
The congress has been threatening to cut reimbursement for primary care doctors by nearly 30 per cent. This has almost happened about three times and canceled at the last minute. New physicians are avoiding primary care, and who can blame them? My daughter (a family medicine doc) has stopped accepting new Medicare patients because the amount paid is so low. This is going to destroy the whole Medicare system if congress doesn' put a stop to it.
-
I believe in the capitalistic system, but with strong government guidance. Men get addicted to riches and are innately lawless, so there simply must be laws and regulations.
Remember the "Robber Barons?" Well, they are alive and well today; it is just hedge funds and mortgages and investments they are in a feeding frenzy over, and not the railroads and coal mines and early industries of old.
I firmly believe society was correct back when it felt utilities such as water and electricity were necessities for all and everyone deserved police protection, firehouse protection, and a free education through public schools, as well as armed service protection. I do feel they made a mistake way back though; medical care should also be an innate right for every soul born. Doctors should be on salaries (good ones, mind, to make up for all that education) and hospitals and nursing homes should be non-profit. For profit institutions do not care for our loved ones as well as the non-profits do, unless, of course, our loved ones are fortunate enough to have scads of money.
-
Has anybody read Henry and Clara by Thomas Mallon? They were the couple in the president's box at Ford Theatr the night Lincoln was assassinated. I'm more then halfway thru it. The first seven chapters - short ones- were about their family backgrounds and rather dull. I kept reading thinking it had the potential to be an interesting story and it got better, but the author has a strange style of writing, imo. Some of his sentences are oddly worded and altho it is fiction, he has some historical facts misstated. I would be curious of the opinions of other readers.
Jean
-
I d Nevero remember that historical accounts of Lincoln's assassination mention that Mrs. Lincoln invited a young couple to join them that evening. They are hardly mentioned, though in subsequent accounts.
-
According to the "prologue", Henry is also shot. I don't know yet if he survived.
-
Interesting thing. I knew there was a young couple with them, but for some reason I thought it was a young aide of the presidents and his wife..
-
Let's state it simply, shall we? Greed has been with us from the beginning and will
undoubtedly be with us to the end. We do need protection from those whose greed knows no
bounds, the type who see disaster and tragedy only as a chance to make even more profit.
Unfortunately, MARYPAGE, we tend to forget that 'non-profit' institutions still must
have money to operate. It's just that those costs have to be paid by the taxpayer instead
of the person using the service. So, would you rather pay those costs continuously, or
just when you need them? We do need some non-profit, citizen supported services for the
jobless, ill, poor, etc., but for the most part I believe everyone should pay their own
way as far as possible.
-
So, would you rather pay those costs continuously, or
just when you need them?
The problem is, somebody always needs health care costs paid for. If we are only willing to pay for our individual needs, what happens when we come to having no more individual money? The whole purpose of Medicare and Medicaid is to enable seniors to have health care without absolutely exhausting their resources.
"If living is a thing that money can buy
The rich will live and the poor will die."
In today's world living often becomes a thing that only money can buy.
-
I started working at age 17 and have worked all my life. I retired from full time paid work at age 69 and went to part time paid work. I retired from part time paid work at age 75 and was retired until age 79, at which time I went to half time unpaid work, the same type, bookkeeping, I have done for years.
I worked hard and was frugal all of my life. I paid my own way in life and saved what I could. That being said, even my decent retirement income is not decent when you take into account my medical expenses. If I did not have Medicare and my federal employee Blue Cross/Blue Shield, I would not be able to pay all of my medical bills. I would have to give up my apartment and go to live with a child or be homeless out in the woods or under an overpass. This is real. I am not making up one word of this.
Yes, non-profits DO have expenses in order to run. Having worked for non-profits during my many years, no one knows that more than I. But if they are truly NON profit, they take into account their expenses and charge accordingly. Everyone gets taken care of and everyone gets what they need to address their issues.
For profits do everything they can to cut benefits, refuse procedures and medications, and charge like over ONE THOUSAND PER CENT for handing out an aspirin! Truly!
I have one granddaughter who works hard and earns well. She is a college grad, as is her husband, who also works hard and earns well. They had medical expenses that came, in just one year, to a six figure amount that was actually MORE than the six figure amount they together earn in one year. And this was ongoing, so they had no choice but legal bankruptcy.
-
My point is not a political one. It is a reality one.
Medical costs AS CHARGED by for profit organizations in the United States today are hugely and extravagantly out of proportion to the rest of our economy. They desperately need to be forced to restructure their financial set up.
I have not as yet read a single survey by an organization or a single report by an economist who does not point this out as the avalanche over our heads.
-
any isurance plan requires a pool of both healthy (low claims) people and elderly and sick(high claims__ people. With time the healthy becomethe elderly and sick. Only the very very rich can afford to pay their own way for their MRI's,heart bypasses, or rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol!
the mpending supreme court decision will, I believe, declare the mandate to have insurance as unconstitutional. Here in Massachusetts, where we have had universal health care for four years now, we hope states will be allowed to set their own rules. We have 90 something coverage annd finally begun working on costs. the state recently made several insurance companies refund money to their members because they failed to show that they spent at least 80 percent of their premium revenue on direct patient care and only 20 percent or less on advertising, marketing, executive salaries, lobbying or other administrative costs. . It is hoped that the next step will be to change from fee-for-service to giving primary care physicians a set amount upfront to provide appropriate patient care. this spares the doctor the enormous costs of constant billing for every service performed. they will not have to employ a huge back office staff of clerical workers filing claims. It is hped that this will provide the patient with better quality of care from having one physician who knows the patients history well. Also, all medical records of all doctors are going be ing computerized and available to any specialisy or hospital with the touch of a computer key. one of the best things is that nurse practitioners and physician assistants , working under a doctor's supervision, are becoming primary care providers. They are great! They talk to you, they listen, they teach, they give you resouces to find your own information, all the things the doctors were too rushed to do. These are some of the things that will give the USA the best helth care system in the world some day.
-
That sounds like great plan, but thus far,none of it is happening. As a senior with Medicare, prescription plan and medigappolicy, all is well, but I worry about my sons and their wives and grandchildren.. In Florida, we now have a governor, who is filthy rich, but seems to want to keep himself rich, but the state employes poor.. Amazing.
-
I do agree, MARYPAGE, that those institutions that overcharge so outragiously need to
be sharply curbed. I also am dependent on Medicare for my medical needs and would be in
dire straits without it. Even when I had private insurance, I would insist on not being
billed for nonsense I didn't need or want. Like housekeeping putting out 'personal care
kits' daily when one was enough for the entire stay...and charging five times what they
were worth.
Medical costs can be disastrous, no question of that. The hard part still, I fear, is
finding a balance in meeting the needs of all our citizens while not being victimized by
either greed or selfishness.
[How many of you discovered Mr. Skimpole in Dickens' Bleak House?
How would you like to support him all his carefree life?]
I am hoping we do have a national health insurance plan, but one that is not forced on
every individual whether they want it or not. I have hopes that the new amended version
will meet our needs.
-
A quick little note to remind you that our June Bookclub Online discussion of Ann Patchett's Run begins today. The unusual late start date is due to the length of Charles Dickens' Bleak House - which ran on longer than we had expected. You can't rush Dickens!
You can find Run here: http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=3291.40
This will be a two week discussion as it is not a long book and the action takes place within a twenty-four hour period.
We'll finish in time to begin the July-August Bookclub Online discussion of Great Expectations - on July 1.
Folks are already gathering and claiming seats on the porch. We'd love to have you join us Here: http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?board=137.0
-
Actually forcing everyone to become part of a medical plan is important.Young, healthy and rich wont join.. and they are needed to balance the expenses of the older,ill, etc. Not nice, but true.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Henry, in "Henry and Clara" ( the couple w/ the Lincolns the night of the assassination) was knifed trying to grab John Wilkes Booth - if this fictional author is accurate - did not die and spent many years knowing that people in his presence were whispering about why he didn't prevent the assassination!!! According to this story he hadn't seen Booth until Lincoln had been shot. The writing, and therefore the story, has gotten more interesting after the part about the assassination. However, most of it is bits and pieces of history that i already know about. I might like it better if i didn't know so much history.
I'm also reading Anne Siddon's "Islands". I can't decide if i like it or not. It's the story of a group of 40/50 - somethings, 3 of whom grew up in Charleston and on Sullivans Island, and their spouses who continue as friends. They spend many weekends at the "beach house" that they as adults owned together on S's Island. That part appeals to me because my husband had 3 friends, one a cousin, who have, a long w/ their spouses and now all the children, have been friends for 60 yrs. The eight of us for about the last 15 yrs have vacationed together and, of course, have been to all the graduations of the next generation and then the weddings, sometime the birthdays and the funerals of the families, very much involved in each ither's lives.
However, she spends a lot of pages describing Charleston - some of which would be interesting, but it is constant - describing clothing, houses, the beach, the people ad nauseum. The story doesn't seem to move very much, but she has moved thru the couples lives for a couple decades. I'm perplexed. I will finish it.
Has/have any of you read it? What did you think?
Jean
-
I agree with you, Steph. All of the economists say every citizen should have coverage in order to bring the price of the premiums down.
We all know that old folk cost the moon in medical expense, while, except for exceptional illnesses and accidents, the young rarely use or need or purchase medical insurance.
Which means, mathematically, that the insured population today is paying a much, much higher rate for coverage than they will have to pay when everyone must put into the pot.
It is like the collection you take up in your office to buy the boss a $100 present. If ten of you pitch in, it costs $10 each; but if the entire office staff of 20 persons pitches in, the cost goes down to $5.00 each.
That is the principal of the thing. And think of this: if those young people and other uninsureds DO go to hospital, they get their entire treatment for free. For Free? Oh no, that's right: their treatment, which they do not pay for, raises OUR charges from doctors and hospitals and pharmacies and eventually our insurance premiums.
-
I've never cared much for Ann Siddons, Jean. I know many people thinks she is very
good, but I simply find her books boring. A sort of 'that's nice', followed by a yawn.
"..if those young people and other uninsureds DO go to hospital, they get their entire
treatment for free."
Is that accurate, MARYPAGE. I've always understood that a hospital
was only required to give emergency care, to the point where the patient is stabilized. Otherwise, if there is no insurance, the person can be turned away. Hospital's option, if they want to accept a charity case.
-
Hmm, if the hopital receives any amount of money from the government or the county or the state or the town..public money. They have to treat the patients that come in via the emergency room.
-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Medical_Treatment_and_Active_Labor_Act
-
This important and explanatory article in today's The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/health-reform-without-a-mandate-lessons-from-washington-state/2012/06/16/gJQAosKghV_blog.html
If you cannot get it through my link above, try the Washington Post yourself and ask for Sarah Kliff's article. It is titled: "WASHINGTON STATE'S HEALTH INSURERS OFFER A CASE STUDY ON FEDERAL LAW'S LIKELY EFFECTS."
-
No Insurance. Hospitals are suppose to not turn away. But however no saying how long you lay there before getting treated. It has to be free .
I was tempted to go to ours 2 weeks aga when having tummy pain. Was dark out and didn't know if I should drive. Waited for doctor next morning. He informed me to watch on going to Emergency as one has to pay $200 up front before will sign you in. Not refundable by Medicare. So being insured or without I don't know who is better of.
However if you are then admitted to Hospital 80% insurance will pick up of the $200. So I guess that one should really act in a lot more of pain and they will admit you regardless if they say nothing really wrong and try to give you a pill and send home.
-
In most hospitals , a stay with no insurance coverage usually ends with a long, intensive interview with the social work staff, to negotiate a payment plan. Unless you can show complete indigence, the plan will produce a payemt expectation, for several years, to cover most of the care you have received. Elements of the interview will include your job, your spouse's job, your respective salaries, the size of your family , the jobs and financial status of your grown children, the assessed value of your house, make and model of your car, any second homes ,bank accounts , stock portfolios, and anything else they can think of. Some states allow garnishment of salaries if these payments are not made on time. the hospital may try to force you to take out a home equity loan on your house in order to pay them. Missed payments bring legal action , and they could end up taking your house, and part of you paycheck.
Free care is not free. By these aggressive collection practices, the hospital mainains its ability to help those who truly have no way of paying for their care.
From any perspctive, health insurance is a better way to go.
-
"...the jobs and financial status of your grown children..."
It is my understanding that your grown children are not responsible for their parents debts unless they claim parents on their income tax as dependents. That won't stop collection agencies from trying, though, I'm sure.
-
Belemere.
Sad to think that the USA health system is that bad that they want to ask all this kind of info. I think people just aught to refuse to give all the info they ask for. Most of the people talking to you are collection agencies that the hospitals have hired to try and collect
-
The article did help clarify the problem, MARYPAGE. I guess we are facing another
dilemma re. our beliefs. Do we give up the security of guaranteed health care, or do
we place another personal life decision in the control of the government?
I just had a thought. This discussion sounds like it belongs in non-fiction rather
than generally entertaining world of fiction. It's an important topic, but how did we
get started on it here?
FRYBABE, would you believe that tho' I've never been hassled by a collection agency for
a debt of my own, I have been for someone else's debt. I kept getting calls from bill
collectors for a mobile home bought by someone else with the same name. I kept telling
them they had the wrong person, but they didn't believe me. It finally stopped when my
elder daughter caught the phone call one day. That collector threatened her with
reposession of the property. She calmly replied, "Go right ahead. You could reclaim every
mobile home in the county, and [my mother] wouldn't turn a hair". He paused, then laughed
and agreed that he must have the wrong Barbara Simpson.
Isn't it odd? Years later I did buy a mobile home. Paid for it, too. ;D
-
Oh Babi, I do love the story.. Bill collectors are hard to discourage. I have a good friend who is an attorney and I generally sic him onthem.. They stop in a hurry..
Hospitals are sometimes betwen the rock and the hard place.. They are the biggest reason for bankrupcy in the US.. but also a place where people try hard to cheat.. I know someone who actually uses a friends cards.. Unfair and dishonest.
Books.. I got the most wonderful book the other day. It was photographs by Margaret Bourke White and dialogue by Erskine Caldwell from the 30 and 40's in the south. Spectacular. Wow.
-
three cheers! I also support getting back to discussion of fiction; just read a great wild ride, Swamplandia by Karen Fuller. I had read her short stories and loved them and this is her first novel.
bottom line: those who do not wish to purchase health insurance must"
1. Put plenty of money in a "Health Savings Account" , like an IRA , made with before tax income. At today's hospital prices, you whould need a whopper of a balance to face a major illness or accident.
2. Be willing to negotiate a payment plan with the hospital whenyou are discharged, and stick to it , while, of course, continuing to make your donations to your HSA for "next time" , and there will be a next time. Good luck living on what's left over!
thursday night is my book Club meeting where I'll find out if the members will read Anna or one of the pairings of fiction and nonfiction. I liked doing this work; it reminds me of my taching days, drawing up a syllabus. A two month reading period of a fiction work with a relevant nonfiction work might be fun here.
-
I am in total agreement that this forum should be a discussion about works of fiction we have read. I am also yearning for a place where we could discuss our experiences and opinions regarding matters important to Seniors, such as health care, without anyone slinging mud at the opinions of other posters and without anyone trying to push a political line or candidate. I have tried the political forums, and they are just too nasty for my sensibilities.
I do have a political point of view, and I have never missed voting in an election in 62 years. But I have no desire to fight with those of other persuasions; I just want to discuss and exchange ideas and such like. Amicably.
-
That Margaret Bouke-White book is a famous one in photography, I understand. I haven't
seen the book itself, but one of the major magazines (Life, maybe?) published an article
featuring a number of the photos. Gripping and shocking.
The old truism still holds true, MARYPAGE. It doesn't pay to bring politics or religion into a
general conversation. There are always going to be people who are both rigid in their views
and very vocal in defending them. One of the best things about SeniorLearn is that the people
here can allow others their opinions without getting offended, or offensive. :-*
-
The book is fascinating. A glimpse into an era that has ( I hope) disappeared.. The pictures are very theatrical, but still good.. The intro is written much later and discusses the similarities and differences in this book and another done roughly at the same time.. I have the other as well.. James Agee?? I think
-
I read a good Bourke-White bio about 2decades ago. It might have been the Vicki Goldberg book, but i'm not sure. She had a very interesting life and i love her pictures. She attended a famous girl's school a few miles from us and i didn't know that until i read the bio. One of her pictures was the first Life magazine cover. I'll find a link..........
Jean
-
http://www.google.com/search?q=life+magazine+first+cover&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari#biv=i|0;d|PcLBP4nEXj4qBM:
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/margaretbourkewhite/ig/Margaret-Bourke-White/Margaret-Bourke-White-with-First-Life-Cover.htm
-
I finished Henry and Clara by Tho Mallon and Islands by Anne Siddons. Both got better in the second half, but i probably won't read Mallon again. It was slow and, as i said before, had historical inaccuracies on "historical facts." i don't mind authors making up astory for historical fiction, but to accually change historical facts bothers me.
Islands got much better in the second half as her typical style of writing about relationships took hold. But she continued to describe the weather everyday, and everything else, so i still did a lot of skimming and instead of being sad the book came to an end, i was happy it was over.
Jean
-
JEAN, I wondered when I saw the magazine cover why they would choose a picure of the
dam for their first cover. Fortunately, the article mentioned the projects Pres. Roosevelt
initiated in the 30's, when this issue appeared. Given the purpose of the magazine, that
made sense.
Thos Mallon I've never heard of, and considering your review I won't go looking for him
(her?). I've read one or two of Anne Siddons, and wasn't too taken with them, either. I
decided to pass on reading more of her.
-
I have read some Simmons. Some are really good, but others I didnt finish..Margaret Bourke-White led some wild life.. Amazing for e period. Nothing got between her and what she wanted. There is a wild picture of her hanging out on something in NYC to get a picture.Terrifying to me who hates heights.
-
To my wuprise, book club chose
Anna Karenina to read over the summer. A couple of strong dissenters, tough. I wonder if they will read it. I got the new translation on my Nook, and it really is more readable. Now I am stuck leading the diwcussion of it next September.
-
I would be a dropout for Anna. I read her years ago and was young and stubborn, so I finished it, but never understood why it is great lit.. Oh well. different strokes. I truly dislike Russian novels. except for Nabokov
-
I read it AND saw the movie; both years ago. Beautifully written and well filmed, I could not possibly do either again. Just leaves me so depressed, and I keep wanting to redo the steps in her life. With all my old age ailments, I sure do not need to add depressed! I often think about Anna, though; which shows you the power of that novel.
-
I think I mentioned it before but I have found an author that is new to me.
You all know I pretty much read junk and it makes me happy. I already know eerything
I need to know. hahaha
New author John Hart Iron House absolutly great The Last Child really good and King of Lies which I put on my Kindle but have not read. I went down to Fairwind and the conschierge (sp)
hailed me down and returned The Last Child the girl at the front desk started waving arms and now she has the book. Florence read it firtst after me. People at Fairwinds seem to like what I read so pretty soon I am going to have t make a list.
Got a call from a fairwinds resident last night and one of my close 94 year old friend had gotten a call from the outfit that supplies her ozygen. Said her insurance didn't cover it and they were coming to get it today. Well call JUudy they all said. I told them what to do and I was down there at 8 o"clock AM too make sure nobody didn't come through the door a;nd take her oxygen. Problem finially solved and now I am home and a nap doesn't seem out of the question.
Judy finished Benton's last book Folly Beach and loved it. Gave it to my frien d Florence on the way out of the building
-
I read The Last Child by John Hart, Judy. It was the first book I had read of his and is one of the best books that I have read this year.. I will look for more by him.
Sally
-
John Hart is new to me, Judy, but I will look for him.. Sounds as if you are Mother Courage to the residents of Fairwinds. Is that where you lived for a while??
-
Russian authors to tend to be sombre and tragic. I think it's related to living in
such a cold (most of the year) land. Not enough sunlight. I see the same thing in
the Scandinavian writers.
Good for you, JUDY! You definitely earned that nap. Sounds like I definitely need to
add John Hart to my authors list, too.
-
I see the John Hart books are adding to the list of books set in North Carolina!?! ;)
-
I just finished Beach House by Mary Alice Monroe. About 1/4 of the way through; I realized that I had read it some time back. I went ahead and read it again and enjoyed it all over. I do like her writing. I am now on the waiting list for her latest--Beach House Memories. It is a prequel to Beach House. I just checked out Maine, but haven't started it yet and I am trying to read Adam and Eve by Naslund. The latter is my ftf selection for July. So far I am not enjoying it at all and may not finish it. Anybody read anything really good (not non fiction) lately??
Sally
-
Loved Beach House! And i believe there was a sequel?
Jean
-
The beach house. Then beach memories and the third is Swimming Lessons.
-
What is the Beach House about (apart from a beach house, that is.... :))?
Rosemary
-
Rosemary, she writes about the south. Generally around Sullivans Island.
-
I would say the theme of BH is parent -child relationships, especially mother-dgt relationship. I thought it was a well-written, lovely story of how adult relationships being parents and children can be enlightening to both, without being schmaltzy. It is set on an island off the Carolinas. Don't confuse it w/ James Patterson's Beach House, very different book. ;D
-
Rosemary, Mary Alice Monroe never disappoints me! Beach House is a great light read, but the story has substance. Throw in information about loggerhead turtles and environmental issues and you have a great summer read.
Sally
-
I am not overfond of her, but a lot of people are. I prefer Pat Conroy for the area she covers.
Anne Rivers Seddon is also in that area.
-
My actor trained DIL has been hired to read and record audiobooks. she is currently reading a Harlequin novel. She said it is so bad,particularly the sex parts that she is embarrassed reading them with the producer in the control room, along with his sixteen year old intern. She doesn't want her own name on the work and is trying to think of a pen name. Someone suggested taking the name of you first pet, plus the name of the street you grew up on to make a pen name. She would be: PomPom Route 47, after her cat and the rural road in Massachusetts where she gre up. I would be "Tiny Brookside", my daughters would be Bootsi Eger. My grandson would be Missy Dartmouth.
Do tyou think the heat is getting to me? What would your pen name be?
she is hoping she will get an Edith Wharton or something similar for her next book.
-
Oh goodness, mine would be Topsy Bromley, Topsy being my first and late lamented hamster!!!
Your DIL's experience reminds me of the porn filming scenes in 'Love Actually', in which the lovely Martin Freeman actually strikes up a romantic relationship with the actress he's having to pretend to cavort naked with. It's sweet (not the porn, the ensuing relationship.) However, like your DIL I would be mortified - but well done her on getting the job. As you say, hope she gets something a bit tamer next time (and not Fifty Shades of .... - there is a good spoof of that going round on Twitter, 'Fifty Sheds of Grey')
Rosemary
-
My husband did a lot of voiceovers and then recording of books. He took his nickname and then his middle name as his last name.. Worked for us. YOu could not find us in the telephone listings that way. Very common in radio.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
A quick reminder~
July 1 already! This is the first day of the new discussion of Great Expectations (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?board=137.0). We hope you are planning to join us at a slow summer pace (about 45-50 pages a week.) We're quite sure we'll come out of it with new apprecation and understanding of what Dickens intended with this novel - more than a boy's coming of age story, though Pip's story is fascinating. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Join us HERE (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?board=137.0) - today!
-
So far the only book I'm enjoying is Dickens' GREAT EXPECTATIONS.
I usually have about three books going at the same time, but have been disappointed in the other two I started.
PERE GORIOT by Balzac, which I'd planned to read with another group in July has started out very boring! Way too much description. I've dropped it for now. May return later.
SACRED HUNGER by Barry Unsworth, a Booker Prize winner, has also been a very slow start. It has gotten great reviews, tho,' so I'll keep with it. About an English man in the 1700's who has decided to go into the slave trading business, hoping to pay off his indebtedness.
Marj
-
I love that pen name thing. I would be Pat Valley Pike.
-
I am reading Molokai.. Interesting, since I knew about the leper colony in Hawaii, but really only through Father Damian. This is much more interesting, although romanticized..Still good book.
-
Steph, I am looking for books to recommend for my ftf reading group. August is our planning meeting. All of us are seniors, also (the youngest in their sixties and the oldest is 93). Do you think Molokai would be a good book for this group to discuss?
Sally
-
I had forgotten mhow many digressions Tolstoy took in Anna Karenina. I just "skimmed through almost 5 chapters devoted to the wonderful day he enjoyed owing hay with the peasants! Very poeticl and lyrical. he should have taken sll these digressions and put them in another book,called "My Thoughts on Almost Everything"
Our "Friends of th Library " group is having their annual meeting and party , and they ask everone to come dressed as their favorite author. I don't usually go to this , but i am curiious to see what people come up with. what would you wear?
-
I was about to say - one of my dowdiest dresses and a string shopping bag - Mildred in Excellent Women - till I realised that you have to be an author, not a character! That's much more difficult - how do we know what they wore/wear?
Rosemary
-
You could always pick a modern author, ROSEMARY, but it wouldn't be nearly as much fun. ;D
And what if your favorite author is a man?
It wasn't the description that bothered me, MARJ, it was my distress over the way
the daughters treated their father, and my annoyance with him for raising them to be
like that and then letting them get away with it!
-
Dressing as a Character from a well known book would be the best I think. Only author I can think of where you could dress like her, was the one who always dressed like a man. My goodness her name just left me.
Watched a movie on her not to long ago.
-
George Sands?
I'd dress as Carolyn Keene, pseudonym of Mildred Wirt and Harriet Adams, authors of Nancy Drew and The Dana Girls. Wirtwas born in 1902, Adams in the 1890s, so i could go in 1930s clothes and hat and gloves, wouldn't that be fun!?! No one would ever guess.
Jean
-
I'm the nut who's read "Anna Karinina" five times. And the scene with the peasants in the field is my favorite.
my sister thought I was nuts til we read "War and Peace" here in Seniorlearn. Time to do "Anna", I guess.
Good thing i'm not going to your party, with my Tolstoy beard.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://faberfinds.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/19w_tolstoy_narrowweb__300x5040.jpg&imgrefurl=http://faberfinds.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/a-n-wilson-on-tolstoy-ft/&h=504&w=300&sz=18&tbnid=LvVNj9NzPuiP4M:&tbnh=88&tbnw=52&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtolstoy%2Bpictures%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=tolstoy+pictures&usg=__g_uEOXyKz-naoPaTSddpDeNmfdM=&docid=fVu7xtKxhs6T4M&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bUHzT_XfD6Ge2gX-we3mAw&sqi=2&ved=0CGYQ9QEwDA&dur=2064 (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://faberfinds.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/19w_tolstoy_narrowweb__300x5040.jpg&imgrefurl=http://faberfinds.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/a-n-wilson-on-tolstoy-ft/&h=504&w=300&sz=18&tbnid=LvVNj9NzPuiP4M:&tbnh=88&tbnw=52&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtolstoy%2Bpictures%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=tolstoy+pictures&usg=__g_uEOXyKz-naoPaTSddpDeNmfdM=&docid=fVu7xtKxhs6T4M&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bUHzT_XfD6Ge2gX-we3mAw&sqi=2&ved=0CGYQ9QEwDA&dur=2064)
-
The lady author in the pantsuit was George Sand. If you went to the party as her, you could be escorted by a thin Polish man with a bad cough a (Chopin)
Most interesting pen name I have collected so far is from my New York Puerto Rican friend: "NoPet Harlem
I would love to dress as Scarlett in the green velvet window curtains, complete with rings and poles, like Carol Burnett.
Anna is suffering from jealousy, Vronsky has money troubles, Levin needs to get married and stop preaching agrarian reform. I may take a short break with something by the dear departed Nora Ephron. Whoelse is a good humor writer?
-
If you like tongue-in-cheek humor, BELLE, I can recommend Terry Pratchett. Wasn't that Carol Burnett spoof of Scarlett O'Hara hilarious? That lady was a comic
genius.
-
Molokai.. would be a good book for reading groups. I Know that a lot of people have heard of it, it is in trade size paperback and the book itself is accessible. He did a lot of research and the story on Leprosy(Hansons disease) is compelling and quite true.They have an invented major character and she is dramatic, but it is fun in a way.. I learned a lot about leprosy, the island and the hawaiian people..
-
Bellemere - my favourite humorous writers are David Sedaris, Bill Bryson and Alan Bennett. I think Sedaris is little short of a genius. My mother, however, can't bear him. My MIL worships Terry Pratchett, but neither I nor my daughters 'get' him. Horses for courses, as they say!
I'm just back from a week in Aberdeen. My internet is going so slowly that I think I will have to abandon it for today - it drives me nuts when it does this, I don't know why it happens but it is so slow that I can't load emails, do anything on Twitter, or even type properly because the words appear several seconds after I've typed them. Does anyone else have this problem? So much for superfast Broadband.
We have a deluge today and flood warnings everywhere. And husband is determined to go to a golf day in Fife ::)
-
Rosemarykaye, my Internet connection does the same thing occasionally. Sometimes, I think it is because there are too many users on, but I also sometimes notice a slow down when my programs automatically update.
RE the flooding in your neck of the woods, I ran across a link to a real-time flood alert map just put up for UK yesterday. I'll have to see if I can find it and post it.
AHA, found it: http://www.shoothill.com/flood/
-
Pratchet is a passion of mine. He has the ability to make me laugh helplessly and I do so love the witches. My kind of ladies.
-
Pratchett is very much tongue-in-cheek, ROSEMARY. Some of his things are a delight, others not so much. The 'slow as molasses' problem occurs on my computer from time to time. Some sites are worse than others, so the problem probably doesn't lie in the computer. Maybe the sites just get overloaded at times and can't handle all the traffic.
Oh, I see FRYBABE agrrees with that.
(I will never understand men and golf!)
-
Some of my family living up in Lancashire, UK. got bad flooding few weeks ago. Part of Roof caved in in childrens bedroom upstairs and still the Builder can't get into fixing it because still more rain and wind storms.
Really glad I decided not to go over in May. Had 5 days summer only so far.
-
Steph, What Pratchett book would you recommend that I start with. I've never read any Pratchett books, but you've convinced me to give it a try.
Sally
-
Sally. go for any of the witches stories or there are several where Death is the main character. Pratchett is of course, heavily into satire.. The first book in his long series is The Colour of Magic.. Mort is a good one on Death ( who is a really really funny character) and the Wyrd Sisters is ( I think) the first one on the witches( who are not quite what you expect)
-
Last thursday my son and his wife and toddler left ffor a long weekend on Cape Cod, with her due date for a second child comfortably a month ahead. On their first ight there she went into labor, and checked into the local hospital. for some reason my son had programmmed the driving directions into his GPS. and one of my daughters had stayed over at their cottage to amuse toddler in the morning and let them sleep late for a change.
First hospital nurse to examine her said, "You're cookin', honey" and the baby was born barely two hours later.
Of course we drove down to see them and rejoice at the healthy little one. AS we expected, this is a Down syndrome baby, with their advance knowledge and by their chioce - to raise him along with his brother and give him the best ilife they can. I am so proud of them. and the baby isw so cute, tiny features, blonde fluffy hair, sweet little mouth. Mother doing well following a fast "cold turkey " delivery. Baby nursing energetically, and they returned home in a car with two ar seats in the back, after departing with one. His name is Patrick , with Dad's nam John and grandpa's name Cornelius as middle names. Pretty long handle, huh, for such a teeny.
and a voice from heaven said,"This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." Book of Matthew, Cha[ter 3, Verse 17 if I remember correctly.
-
Belmere.
Congratulations on the new baby. Arrived in 2 hours. He was ready to start life. It will be a good happy one. They made a choice and are ready. He will bring much pleasure to the family. Has a big brother to help him if needed. Many changes have been made allowing children and older to live good lives with Down Syndrome. I have known how sweet they are.
-
Bellemere - many congratulations on the new grandson, what wonderful names.
I believe Downs children are very special. I wonder if you have seen this site, which is one of the blogs of an English poet and father of a Downs son:
http://www.andrewpoetry.org/
Have a great time with your family,
Rosemary
-
My niece has worked with Downs syndrome for years and is so enthusiastic about them. I understand that nursing energetically is a really good sign.
-
thank you all for the congratulations. the little family is back home in Great Barrington, which was voted numger 1 town to live in by a Smithsonian magazine articel recenlty. Loads of community services, art, theater, music and a very active ARC (Associaion for Retarded children) soon to change their name to something less "labeling"
Meanwhile I took a look at David Sedariis and he is indeed hilarious. A nice break fro Anna, where things are not going well .
-
Gosh. I thought that the word "Retarded" was not suppose to be used anyplace now. Way back where it was said in one of the shows on TV.
-
Thats interesting. I did not think that retarded was used any more either..
-
You know, I think you are right regarding the use of the word "retarded" Back when I was working for the state, we had a "Department of Mental Retardation" which is now something else - Department of Developmental Resouresr something like that. Maybe the organization is using a different title.
some of us remember the "residential schools" that the states provided for Down syndrome people ane dother disabilities. When massacusetts closed all those "schools" yhears age, there was a hue and cry about community residences . "not in my back yoard' Or NIMb;y. Now we have homelike residences scattered through all kinds of neighborhoods, but the sponsoing organizations still have to be very discreet about neighnorhodd objections.
rosemarykaye, lovely site for poetry, thanks.
-
Oh my yes. Everyone agrees that residences are the way to go, but noone wants them close. Since many do not have drivers licenses, the very best places for group homes are close to public transportation and grocery shops, etc.
-
Bellemere, I'll add my congratulations.
I immediately thought of at least 2 Downs Syndrome children(now grown up, I imagine) that acted in mainstream TV and movies here. They were brought up to live as normally as possible.
-
The thng to remember with Downs is that they vary enormously in what they can do and what is beyond them. They are truly good at repetitive work.. Some have heart problems as well and some dental problems.. I have known some that exist in the adult world and live in their own apartments, etc and others who could never function in any thing but a sheltered workshop.
-
I am a little more than halfway through Anna Karenina and something has just struck me about the structure of the novel. It is ijn set scenes and as I pick it up each day at a new scene, it is like watching another episode of Masterpiece Theater or even a television soap opera. Of course, no soap opera ever achieved the artistry of Tolstoy in describing the emotions of men and women. And the same philospphical question comes through , both in the story of Anna and Vronsky and the story of Levin and Kitty: does happines really consist of the fulfillment of our desires? Or does happiness lie in ridding ourselves of all desires? (Like Buddhists tell us) So much to think about in this book.
-
Does anyone remember Foxfire..The books and the man who did all this. I tried to visit his museum in Rabun Gap,Ga yesterday, but it is closed on Sunday. I would love to say I will go back, the road going to the museum is terrifying.. Narrow, paving deteriorated to gravel, winding, no guard rails. No idea why, but wont try it twice. I was truly scared.
-
I used to have at the first six or seven of his volumes. My X got them; I kept the Euell Gibbons books.
-
That's interesting, BELLE. Back when I read the book, I wasn't mature
enough to see much more that the story itself. There are advantages
to growing older ..and wiser. 8)
-
I had overdone mysteries, so as i walked by the "F" shelf of the library i stopped to take a look at Thomas Fleming's fiction section. He's an historian who writes great historical fiction, as well as non- fiction. I like him for several reasons: he often writes about NJ/NY history; he writes very strong woman characters, and he knows women's history; i know his historical facts are accurate; and he uses those vocabulary words we had in high school or college vocabulary tests. He uses words that i recognize but generally have not often seen in novels, stretching my vocabulary.
I think the first fiction book i read of his was "Officer's Wives" which is a contemporary book. I laughed out loud at his accurate depiction of an arrogant, dictatorial General. I was working for the Dept of Defense at the time and recognized the caricature. This book is "Wages of Fame", the second in a series of the Stapleton family. It's set in the first half of the 19th century and he's including a lot of history and historical figures.
He also writes "history" stories for juveniles and teens.
-
Interesting, Jean, about Thomas Fleming. I've not read anything by him, so I looked him up at Amazon. Lots of interesting books. Prolific writer. I think I'll read his Washington's Secret War; the Hidden History of Valley Forge. Have been reading Ron Chernow's interesting book on Washington. Thanks.
Marj
-
Marj, I really enjoyed reading Hoving's book about hunting and finding the Bury St. Edmund's Cross. I think it was called King of the Confessors or something close to it.
-
I like Fleming and have read several of his books. Nice flow to his stories. Did not really think of how much history was there.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Sounds good, JEAN,..right up my alley. I'll add him to my list.
-
Thanks, Frybabe. I checked out at Amazon your recommendation of Hoving's King of the Confessors, and it looks very good! I put in on my TBR list.
Marj
-
Hoving wrote well. Did a good job for the museum as well, but possibly did not check provenance as well as he should have.
-
Someone mentioned, a while back, in one of the forums that she was reading The Quality of Mercy. Since I had downloaded that a week or so ago, I decided to start on it also. I really love the descriptive writing of these earlier writers. Back then they were more careful to describe the background scenery than they appear to do today in many cases.
-
Frybabe, I agree - but I think it's because publishers tell writers they want action, action, action. An author told me that her publisher (of crime books) said that if there wasn't a murder by the end of the third page, the book would fail.
I'm sorry to sound like a Grumpy Old Lady (yet again :)) but I do think the fast response speeds of text, Facebook, etc etc mean that many people no longer have the patience to enjoy good description, scene setting, etc. One of the things I didn't like about Charlaine Harris's Aurora Teagarden books was the lack of the latter - I couldn't really visualise anything. Louise Penny, however, manages to paint Three Pines so well that we all want to live there (if only with a bodyguard...)
Rosemary
-
Yes, that's Barry Unsworth, FRYBABE. I am reading him for the first time, also, and
finding it very enjoyable.
You could be right, ROSEMARY. In a day of high-speed computers, instant and almost
continuous contact by phone or text, the entire generation may be losing it's ability to relax
and enjoy the quiet moments, and notice there is a beautiful world out there.
-
The gift of calm and enjoying nature is what I am getting by my sojourn in the mountains. I have slowed down to a crawl. Not accomplishing much, but enjoying my life so much more.
-
Good for you, STEPH. If not now, when can we? :)
-
Re Barry Unsworth-- I'm reading his SACRED HUNGER along with another group and finding it very good.
Has anyone read his PASCALI'S ISLAND? I own it, but have yet to read it.
Marj
-
I don't know if it was mentioned or not but on our first trip to New York in 1998 Thomas Hoving was our author. We met him on the grounds of the muesum and had lunch where he signed all our books and was very kind.
Then he took us on a private guided tour of the museum and the cross. It was a wonderful day.
He had not been to the musuem for 20 years.
-
My daughter left for home on Tuesday I buried myself an some books - read The Uncommon Reader - cute - also a good expose about the growth we have in reading and the ability we have to read some books only after we have been reading for awhile. It is a Novella and easily completed in one sitting.
It is about the Queen of England going after her wayward dogs only to come upon the weekly traveling library parked near the kitchen at Windsor - she enters, meets a young boy from her kitchen staff who is a prolific reader - they befriend and he becomes her guide into books much to the chagrin of her other staff. Her journey into the world of books brings about incidents that she handles with new insight - fun and a good description of various authors that even gave me a push to read their work.
But then the real winner - I could not put the book down - took two days to read - what a treat - I just had to know what was going to happen next - the story is enchanting yet, powerful - I saw it as a story of Hope, Faith and Love in a setting focused in raw nature described in its beauty as well as, the life and seasonal cycle that depends on death. The characters in the story are easy to know and like while feeling their joys and pain.
One of the best I have read in awhile - here is a link to the home page of the author, Eowyn Ivey - her first book - The Snow Child - http://www.eowynivey.com/
-
Sounds good, BARB. I wonder if my library has it. I remember "Uncommon Reader".
I was amused by her dodging of the staff to enjoy the books.
-
I have another about the royal family called
Queen Camilla. It is about the socialists taking over th country and the royal family moved to row housing.Very funny actually. Charles loved it, the rest of te group, not so much.
-
Just finished a Dorothea Benton Frank book, Pawley's Island. A very enjoyable read. It was predictable, but humorous, well-paced, very much the typical Frank family-relationship-story set in the Carolinas w/ S Carolina a "character" in the story. I read a couple chapters the first night and finished the book the second night, a compelling read.
Two middle age women, strangers to each other at first, discover that their lives have similarities. One, a lawyer, who, because of some tragic circumstances, has "retired" from the profession. The other woman has recently been served divorce papers by a husband who had become a person she didn't "know" in the last two years and turned her children against her and had had a judge award their house and custody of their teen-age children to him. Abigail, the lawyer, smells a rat and begins to check out the husband. There are assorted quirky Sourhern personalities who add humor. It is predictable, but entertaining nonetheless.
I've read 4 or 5 of hers and have especially enjoyed Sullivan Island and Shem Creek.
Jean
-
My Book Swap group has included a Dorothea Benton Franks novel for the past two years. I liked her earlier books - and have enjoyed the more current ones - "Low Country Summer" and "Porch Lights", her newest.
Barb, when I first started "The Uncommon Reader", I thought the premise was ridiculous. However, having watched most of this summer's PBS programs about Queen Elizabeth, I think her discovering the traveling library near the kitchen door might not be such a remote possibility. I liked the story.
After she returned from a family vacation at Hilton Head, a neighbor loaned me two of her "beach books", "Eat Cake" and "The Peach Keeper".
Has anyone read either or both of these?
-
Callie, I read (and thoroughly enjoyed) The Peach Keeper. I like all the Sarah Addison Allen books I have read.
Sally
-
I'm reading Claude and Camille, a novel about Claude and Camille Monet. Today in my Open Culture newsletter they had this amazing link to a movie clip of him from 1915. The video is so clear a d the narrative is interesting.
http://www.openculture.com/2012/07/rare_film_claude_monet_at_work_in_his_famous_garden_at_giverny_1915.html
Jean
-
Alas, no Ivey at my library. I don't think they are doing much purchasing while they
are in the middle of construction work. Once things settle down, I'll recommend it.
Now I'll go check on the two new authors you ladies have so kindly added to my list.
-
Ilike Pat Conroy better than Dorothea Benton Franks for South Carolina ambience..But she writes a nice sort of story..I think of her as a beach writer.
-
Pat Conroy's latest (I think) novel, South of Broad, is a love letter to Charleston.
(n.b. Our oldest daughter lives in SC, her three children are graduates of the College of Charleston, and one still lives there.)
-
Barbara, I trust your taste absolutely, so I have just put The Snow Child by Ivey on my Wish List at Barnes and Noble. Will order it when I have done a little catching up around here.
-
My goodness - but I do not think you will be disappointed - to me the book has depth and likable characters. The culture of neighborliness in the story strikes close to how we think of ourselves. There is friendship shared among two women and the love between a couple approaching their white hair years - all supporting the center about this wonderful fairy like child of nature. The animals and flora of the earth, fields wrestled from the wilderness, mountains, rivers, snow, rain and wind are wonderfully included and woven into the story - It is a story that makes an impression with many metaphors to Hope, Faith and Love. Yes, the book is a keeper that I may dip into again.
-
We discussed "The Uncommon Reader" here on Seniornet a while ago. A lovely book.
I loved the Monet! I love the site! From there, went into other painting videos, into "Lifechanging books" and ordered some for my kindle.
-
Thanks for the recommendations re Dorothea Benton Frank - I'd never heard of her, but now I've even found some of her books on our library catalogue and reserved one.
What great things we discover on this site.
The Uncommon Reader is a lovely read - I like everything Alan Bennett's ever written, and this is one of his best IMO.
Rosemary
-
My library does not have Franks, sadly, but they do have Sarah Allen, including the
Peach Keeper. :)
-
I am finally reading The Good Thiefs Guide to Amsterdam. Someone recommended it here some time ago.. I love it.. A perceptive sense of humor..A mystery of sorts.
-
Read a couple of those. The author has a series, taking his writer/thief to different
cities.
-
I liked the Amsterdam one and will look for more. The ending was a bit contrived, but thats OK>>
-
For everything you ever wanted or did not even know about to want to know about the Towers of London - who was beheaded, drawn, drowned, became a ghost etc. plus the multiplicity of other details on English History The Tower, The Zoo and the Tortoise by Julia Stuart is the read... I picked it because it was suggested as humorous - weeelllll - yes, there is humor but the main theme is pit tummy sadness - a couple who thought they would never have a child - who were very much in love since their first meeting - have a late life child who dies at age 11 and most of the story is how they cope or do not cope - while reading, the tears rolled - where as, no laughter erupted -
It is advertised as poignant - for me that is a mild word to describe the story - oh, there are other characters that exhibit a crazy life but, even some of that nonsense is laced with an underlying sadness.
Hard to explain because it isn't a sad book and the story is bright and moving in a quirky way including a Chaplin who writes award winning erotic novels under the guise of a female pseudonym using the proceeds to fund a shelter for prostitutes wanting a new life and the Queen's zoo animals that are re-caged in the Towers after an absence of 60 or more years causing all sorts of pandemonium. and the wife of the main character working in the London Underground Lost and Found with the most unusual astonishing things lost - I am glad I read it - the history included was riveting however, expect to shed some tears.
http://tinyurl.com/cf36xo5
-
I read that one, BARB. It did introduce a strange way of life, didn't it? All these people living
on-site at the tower, very much thrown together. Yet all have their own unique stories. At
times the writing ranged from humorous to mystical; a very interesting book.
-
Still have too mny problems with unexpected death, so will not try it. I do love the Tower though. Such a neat place.. And the retired guards are sooo enthusiastic.
-
Here's a strange one: i was in a Barnes and Noble store, about to download
Ship of Fools, which you all read recently and I couldn't join. i found that this great novel by Katherine Ann Porter is not in the ebook collection of Barnes and Noble! the (young) associate had never heard of it. He suggested I write to the publisher, who may have not given the rights to reproduce it electronically. So if any of you have your copy handy, let me know the name of the publisher, and I will write. What a bummer! I wa all set to enjoy it , a reread after many years
A new Yorker article describes the late Mavis Gallant, another long gone treasure, and her days of starvation in Madrid waiting for her agent to forward the payments for some stories published in the New Yorker. the agent was a real crook, and was not sending her the pay me payments! . she was a wonderful writer, one of those who helped make that magazine so great.
-
bellemere, even if you have a Nook and can't buy from there, look on the Amazon web site for Ship of Fools. That should give you all the information you need.
-
I read The Tower..... Did not like it at all. It was too depressing and couldn't hold my interest. It was not at all what I expected. Strange book.
Sally
-
thanks, Maryz, I flooowed up on amazon, which lists the publisher, one I have never heard of : Amereon. the date is given as 1994, and I know it was first published in 1943, but I guess this outfit now holds the rights. And Amazon is urging people to "write to the publisher and tell them you would like to read this book on a Kindle" So they don't have it for sale either. Strange.
-
Bellemere...there appear to be quite a few older titles that aren't in digital format yet. Part of it, I think, is that the old contracts with authors and publishers didn't include "digital rights" and so the publishers are having to negotiate new financial contracts with authors/estates who may hold the rights to a title. I know this is what I was told by an author when I asked about when her earlier works would be available for the Nook. It took many months to iron it out, and she said it was the rights and payments, of course, for the digital rights.
jane
-
Amazon has a form to fill out if you want something converted to digital. I am not sure if they just pass them on to the publishers individually or if they wait awhile to see if they get very many requests before contacting the publishers. Does B&N have something similar on their site?
-
Yes, Frybabe. There's a place you can click under a description of a book and it says something like "request a digital /ebook from the publisher." You just click it and then it says that the publisher has been notified.
jane
-
Its interesting .. You never think of authors rights and the ebooks.. But of course it makes sense.. I am told that certain tv shows cannot be converted to DVD.. Same reason..
-
oh....Alan Bennett...I recently watched some of his tv pieces...several episodes of Talking Heads...an Englishman Abroad....something about Proust (can't remember what it was called)....I do like his style. Haven't read any books tho.
A reason I have not bothered to get a kindle/nook is in fact that when I last checked on several books I wanted to read, they were not available. It seems at this time only new books and books out of copyright are readily available. If you want something by someone like Pearl S Buck, or Evelyn Waugh or Paul Scott or EF Benson etc etc , they may not be, although I have noticed that availability is gradually getting better.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
There has been a massive furore at the Theakston's Crime Writing Conference here (which took place at Harrogate last w/e and featured people like Ian Rankin, Colin Dexter, etc) because one writer spoke out in favour of selling ebooks for low prices or even for nothing (as many ebook writers do from time to time, to stimulate sales) and all the traditional writers went nuts.
The writer in question (whose name I've forgotten - he's not a household name but he has made a good living from his ebooks) was given a very hard time by the audience, although he later told the press he had been put up to it by Mark Billingham, a v well known UK crime writer, who had asked him to shake things up a bit because these conference sessions can be so lovey-dovey. However, the writer said he stood by what he had said. Ever since then lots of writers have been exploding on Twitter and other social media, all incandescent with rage - but I don't really see why. He's got a point, he has still managed to make a good income, and people have happily bought lots of his books for 99p or whatever. The established authors say it devalues their work - but I have certainly downloaded free Kindle books, some of which have been dreadful, some of which have been excellent, and if the latter I have been encouraged to read more of the writer's work, and to pay for it.
Rosemary
-
Bellemere, I read The New Yorker and have for forever. I can remember looking at the cartoons when I was three!
So the article of excerpts from Gallant's 1952 journal in Spain excited me hugely. My, what things she told that I could never have put to paper, even to a very private, personal journal. And she went on to say on at least two occasions in the journal that there were things that had happened that she had seen but could not possibly put to paper! Good Grief! Left me wondering what THEY could possibly have been.
Anyway, I called one daughter's best friend from college days, who teaches Spanish and spent her Junior Year plus many other summers in Spain, and told her to go right out and buy the New Yorker with a caricature of Obama as a doctor on the front and read from page 48. She did, and sent me a long book report. I did not save it, or I would print it here. But she did say the poverty was almost as bad when she was there in 75/76 and she told me a lot about the Franco/Carlos feelings among the ordinary people she knew. She lived that year with a pro Franco family. All very fascinating to me.
I expect Gallant finally got all of her money, but what a dreadful experience she had!
-
Rosemary... I'm sure the established writers were aghast at the mere suggestion of giving away their writings. Maybe they don't have to. I'm sure a Stephen King doesn't need to, but, as you said, I see a lot of new writers giving away ebooks. I think it's a great way to find an audience. I've found more than one writer that I liked enough to pay for their later works. I wouldn't have known their names otherwise and so my list of writers I look for has expanded since I have my Nook.
I also think the various on line forums where people share what they're reading and new authors they've found helps all writers tremendously.
jane
-
I certainly could be wrong, but i thought Paul Scott was on Kindle.. Maybe not though. I find a lot of old stuff and some obscure stuff though.. Since I also like the feel of a real book, I haunt used book stores as well.. So I have both ebooks and regular books and also cd books for the car and taped books for walking.. Hmm. a book freak..
-
but I have certainly downloaded free Kindle books, some of which have been dreadful, some of which have been excellent, and if the latter I have been encouraged to read more of the writer's work, and to pay for it.
I felt the same way when they started shutting down the likes of Napster for music. I got to hear a lot of music from artists I never would have heard that I went on to buy their complete CD's. Amazon and some other e-stores used to have 30sec. clips of songs from the CD's they sold, but I don't see that anymore either. The bad thing about the tiny clips is that I bought several CD's after listening to the clips only to find that, on the whole, the CD's were mediocre.
-
Yes, some of the free cozies in the mystery are not worth anything, when you get into them.They think using a hobby of some type works and you need more than that. You can be a book binder, etc and stil be boring.
-
alan Bennett allowed a homeless old woman to live in her wrick of a trailer in his front ;yard for years. That story is in a collection of his writings. A library should have it. Hilarious, and also very touching, he was a super human being. Did I say was? H\e still lives, doesn't he/
-
yes he still lives the last I was aware and I do like him, too. He comes across as quite straightforward, can make jokes against himself, and I like the way he has kept his accent. And all that's got nothing to do with the pleasure I get from his plays. I haven't even read anything by him, but now put him on my list!!
-
Didn't he write and later produce the play/movie The Madness of King George
-
The Lady In The Van - I think it's in Untold Stories or one of Bennett's other collections. Writing Home is also a wonderful book. He's very much still alive, brilliant writer.
-
An author I have never heard of.. Amazing.Will check him out, but I dislike essaysand short stories for the most part.
-
I checked - The Lady in the Van is in "Writing Home" (though it may appear in other collections as well.)
Steph, I don't like them usually, but for me Bennett is something else. He doesn't really do short stories, they're mostly pieces about his life, both now and his childhood (he came from a very working class family in the north of England), and so much of what he describes resonates with me, even though I had never been north of Oxford Street until I was at least 14.
He also wrote a (fictional) series of monologues called Talking Heads, which were later performed on TV by various very well respected actors - he just seems to be able to capture the essence of so many different people.
Rosemary
-
here we go the American Amazon has a nice page that includes his books, his photo and a short bio
http://www.amazon.com/Alan-Bennett/e/B001H6O0IY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1343496758&sr=1-1
-
I found some old Lee Smith's in a used book sale.. I suspect first stuff she wrote. Finished one. She did her usual many characters back and forth, but in this one, there was not a single character that I cared about. So disappointing.
-
Maybe some of Bennett's writing could be termed 'essays' rather than short stories. From
your description, ROSEMARY, that's what some of them sound like. Essayists used to be a
more popular genre. Emerson, Chesterton, the guy with the pen name 'Elias', whose name
now refuses to surface. Actually, I was startled to discover how many well-known names had
essays printed as well.
-
I really liked Alan Bennett's play, The History Boys. The movie was also good altho' a bit hard to understand all the British accents.
Marj
-
Elias..hmmm was that Lamb??
-
Yes!! Thank you, STEPH. I hate it when my brain refuses to cooperate! >:(
-
Marj, I'd forgotten Bennet had written The History Boys. I sure enjoyed that movie. In the book The Uncommon Reader, I thought it interesting that the more the Queen read, the more she found the harder books becoming easier. Does that sound like anyone you know?
-
Pedln wrote, " In the book The Uncommon Reader, I thought it interesting that the more the Queen read, the more she found the harder books becoming easier. Does that sound like anyone you know?"
Yes, it sounds like me! I think I will try Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities. I tried it a long time ago and did not finish, as it seemed difficult. We'll see.
Marj
-
"The Tale of Two Cities" featured on an Inspevter Lewis mystery last night on PBS, a quote from it providing a clue to who the murderer was.
-
I finished my reread of Anna Karenina, and now must try to develop some interesting discussion questions for my Book Club discussion in September., I am wondering if al the members will get through it! Once I reconized that it is really the World's Classiest Soap Opera, it lost its awesomeness and i could enjoy it . With some creative skimming of course. The provincial elections and levin's interminable conversion back to religion were a bit spotty. i didn't realize that the soap opera construction comes from the novel being originaly published in a magazine as a serial novel. similariaty to the structure used by Charles Dickens.
Yes, to the Mavis Gallant essay! and i like essays, including som eof the modern ones by Adam Gopnik and Malcolm Gladwell. I absolutely adore the new Yorker and my eyes are having a lot of trouble with the tiny print. it is available on Nook, but without the feature of enlarging the type. I will have to get a larger magnifier to contiinue subscribing - over 25 uears now. And I love good short stories. The Selected Stories of William Trevor is my next Nook purchase, after my current one, Unbroken by Laur Hillebrand. Just started it, and was struck by how Hillebrand, who suffers from some strange autoimmune disese and is almost completely bedridden , writes about athletes in strenuous sports, Zamperini in Unbroken, and the jokeys in Seabiscuit. Wonderful writer, wonder who does all her meticuluous research.
-
Joan what do you think of the part for Detective Sergeant Hathaway - to me they seem to be all over the map trying to give him something, some identity but who knows what - in one episode last year he was gay and then another he had found a girl friend and last week he was supposed to be too shy for a girl friend and then last week he was wandering in and out of rooms while Lewis was talking to suspects and working alone on material clues that never got tied to the story then this week they sorta get back to him being Lewis' side kick but after the crime is solved he had a book to read so no shared drink at the pub -
That much they have been consistent with - Hathaway is well educated, knows his lit, poetry, ancient history etc. At one point they said he had been studying to be a priest and then the one episode where as a kid he was sexually abused by the 'Lord' of the Manor - he is good looking and his educated ways does not match Lewis but then Morse was more educated, appearing to be self educated but more culturally aware than Lewis - and even Lewis' character is a mix - for awhile he and Hobson were an item and now he is supposed to be set in his ways and Hobson is not someone he wants to spend time with.
I wonder if they keep changing writers and the new writer does not review past episodes.
-
I don't remember them saying he was gay. But I just recently ordered the whole set except for this season so I'll look for that when I start rewatching them.
-
I finished my reread of Anna Karenina, and now must try to develop some interesting discussion questions for my Book Club discussion in September., I am wondering if al the members will get through it! Once I reconized that it is really the World's Classiest Soap Opera, it lost its awesomeness and i could enjoy it .
I wonder if this was why I was able to do a book report on AK when I was in high school? I was too young - and too uninformed to pick up all the other themes and only remember it as a tragic love story.
Of course, I guess it says something about the teacher who gave me an A and bragged on my reading Tolstoy (which meant nothing to me). Obviously, we weren't made aware of how fiction and history intertwine.
-
I finished the Lee Smith, but did not like it at all..And I generally love her.
-
BELLE, suggest to the other members of the group your 'classiest soap opera' take. It
might make it easier for them, too. I read Anna Karenina, ages ago, and I must confess
I found it depressing. I was still young enough to want a happy ending.
I don't remember it actually being stated that Hathaway was gay. I think it was more
hinted at because of his detached manner and apparent disinterest in any romantic
involvement. Hathaway is a very private person, which always seems to leave one open to
all sorts of speculation.
-
What eactly do we mean when we say a book is "depressing"? Does the conflict in the story end with the hero or heroine dying or ending up in a bad situation? Or just that the story was about something we found very sad. Most of us who find a book "depressing" state that it is a reason why we "didn't like it" Nobody likes to be "depressed", but what do we lose if we confine our reading to happy endings?
And my frined said "what makes a book a classic?" i don't think it is a decision made by "list makers " or academics. I think a book becomes a classic because people keep reading it. Like Anna Karenina, in 15 or so languages, in countries all over the owrld with at least five or six film or TV versiona, another one coming in November. It must have some "universal appeal" to a lot of people to have stayed this long on the bookshelves of the world.
-
For me Bellemere the story was depressing because she had so few options so that taking a lover seemed like her only escape and then she is at the mercy of being ill used as any women at that time in history who steps over the line and is so powerless - Separating a mother from a child sends chills up my spine - I do not like reading about a system that subjugates anyone to a powerless life and it becomes depressing to realize it was and is true for women - they are still trying to keep women powerless as compared to and by men jockeying for power. Today we see this power over others (women) by folks using their moral fortitude as their weapon.
OK I had to check thinking maybe I was going old age crazy - and I know how many of you do not respect wikipedia but they did have the clearest explanation for Hathaway. I remember at the time watching the program thinking, this could be interesting but I do not think it will go down yet by many who love the Morse stories which, didn't seem to focus on their love life but rather, the jibes seem to be more about working class versus the cultural. Here is what they have to say - Jeriron please, let us know when you look at your recent purchase of the tapes your take on this episode.
In the third episode of the second series ("Life Born of Fire") his guilt at sharing the homophobic attitudes of some of his fellow trainees is revealed when he discovers that a suicide he is investigating is a former friend, Will McEwan, who broke off his friendship with him when Hathaway urged him to reject his homosexuality.
In "Life Born of Fire" he refuses to answer Lewis's direct question as to whether or not he is gay, though at the end of the episode in a conversation with Zoe Kenneth he both implies that he has had homosexual feelings and that he wants to have sexual intercourse with her (admitting that "it's been a while"). Hathaway berates Lewis for drawing a "neat dividing line" between heterosexuals who "read Loaded and eat Yorkie bars" and homosexuals who like fashion and musicals. At the end of the episode Hathaway is seen holding a copy of Loaded and a Yorkie bar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergeant_Hathaway
Evidently "Loaded" is a British gay mens magazine that reached its highest popularity in the 90s and a Yorkie is a Chocolate Bar.
-
It's possible that Hathaway is gay I suppose. I think that being in a Seminary always starts people wondering about him. But Lewis always seems to be pushing him to date (woman) so it makes me wonder why he would do that if he(Lewis) knows or feels Hathaway may be gay.
Barbara it will be awhile before I get to watching Lewis but I'll let you know when I do.
-
Thanks - just let me know even if it is next Thanksgiving - this series with Hathaway I find to be so disconnected that I am not sure they have settled down to a complete ID for either character - and now another seems to be brought in as a set up to waring departments with the other department headed by a know it all. I thought when he first appeared they were getting ready to retire Lewis but it doesn't seem to be what is going on now... I just find this series to be less predictable than when it was Lewis with Morse.
I never did know is the Morse series based on a book - does anyone Know?
-
Barb, Colin Dexter wrote thirteen Morse novels as well as some short stories that include Morse. Dexter is now 81.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/d/colin-dexter/
-
And he was still making merry at the Theakstons Crime Writing Festival at Harrogate a few weeks ago! -
http://harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/crime/news/2012-festival-photos/
-
I just watched the first morse today again,struggling through it without close caps. And in one scene Colon Dexter walks past Morse and Morse turns sound to look at him. Kind of like Alfred Hitchcock did.
Barbara I really enjoy the Lewis series. Almost as much as Morse. I think Lewis is the same as he was in Morse. his prblemwith women (dating) is that he hasn't gotten over the dealth of his wife and he obviously doesn't see his kids as much as he should now that they are grown.In Morse there is a lot of mentions of his family and not wanting to work overtime because he wants to get home which Morse doesn't always understand.
As for Hathaway I don't know. I don't think they want to get into relationships on the show.That's whe they seemed have dropped Lewis and Laura. Which is why Lewis said he'sstill back in time or something likevthat.
-
Good question, BELLE. I think I find a book depressing when the author seems to find
nothing but doom and gloom to write about. Or when the book ends on a definitely defeatist
note. The ending doesn't have to be a 'happy ever after' thing. Most unrealistic, actually.
But at least on a note of acceptance and moving on.
We do seem to want to put an identifying tag on people and place them in the appropriate
slot, don't we? I wonder how often the slot is really a bad fit.
-
I find a book depressing if the subject matter hits home. Re Cancer, death of a husband etc. Movies the same.
-
Depressing.. hmm. I find a book depressing when there is not a single character that I can identify wth.. They dont have to be happy and I dont have to have a happy ending, but I need people there that I can say.. I have been there or I know that feeling..
-
That is an interesting question, Bellemere. I've just finished a book that some might call depressing because the subject certainly is -- an 18-year-old has gone missing -- Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan. Yet the book is so well-written, is so realistic, with characters one really cares about. Throughout the book there is still an essence of hope.
One that is also very well-written, but without the hope, that I'm glad I read, but never want to read again is Mistry's A Fine Balance -- set in India during Indira Ghandi's time. I found it very depressing even though I liked the characterization.
Another book, that begins with a drowning, that could easily be depressing, but isn't, is the best book I've read all year -- Eternal on the Water by Joseph Monniger. I loved the characters -- they're my neighbors, my family, my friends.
-
rest in peace Maeve Binchey. Your books wee pure delight, funny, warm, gently satirical on the fussiest aspects of irish society today. Will revisit them soon.
-
Yes, RIP Maeve - what a wonderful writer she was, and by all accounts also a wonderful woman. She worked her way up, wrote her first novel in the early hours of each morning before she went to work, and had a trolley under the stairs with her writing stuff on it, as she had no space then for a desk. Light a Penny Candle is still one of my favourite books, and brings back so many details of my first visits to rural County Waterford in my 20s (I know it starts ages before that, but nothing much changed in Ireland until about 1990.) Thinking of her beloved husband Gordon, with whom she had a long and happy marriage.
Rosemary
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
So for som eof us, a deptessing book is one that never takes a positive outlook , or has a likeable character. For others it is personal; touching on the saddest aspects of ourown life.
Funny, even knowing the fate of Anne Frank does not make her dieary deptessing. but the fate of Liy Bart in House of Mirth had me , if not depressed, at least very sad. But there is a difference between sad and depressing. I think I favor the "no positvive outlook" theory.
I remember throwing "The Shack" at the wall: the cheap pseudo religiosity certainly depressed me, I never finished it. It is deptressing to think that so many peoplea
bought It
-
I rmember reading that Maeve was the daughter of a member of the Dail Eirann, Irelanld
s parliament, (easier to spell) and as a young girl appeared on stage in the Irish production of "Hair" Must have been a shock to
Her Dad and his constituents. Circle of Friends was my favorite.
-
I could be wrong as it has been awhile since I read. "The Shell Seekers" Didn't she write that? I know, I loved Circle of Friends also.
-
I loved almost all of her books.. Not the one with a lake in the title. That one was a pure cheat, but loved the rest.
-
With the recent death of Gore Vidal (Lincoln, Burr, et al), I have watched a couple of old talk shows, one where Vidal debated Norman Mailer and another where he and William Buckley got into a heated argument. It made me nostalgic for those old talk shows where they discussed interesting subjects and ideas, unlike today's boring shows where about the only topic is so-called celebrities and their divorces and troubles.
Marj
-
Yes, the really good talk ahows are gone. Even eccentric Jadk Paar could discuss serious subjects, and Dick Cavett was wonderful. did 't you love Bill Budkly's arcane vocabulary, even if you wanted to strangle him? His son's book, Caring for Mum and Pup, is funny and poignant. Christopher is a fine writer himself, without his Dad's political passion.
Gore Vidal could be infuriating but never never boring!
-
Yes, I loved both the Dick Cavett and Jack Paar shows. Buckley's arcane language was funny. I had to think a bit about the "pro-crypto-Nazi" insult. Wish Buckley's old TV shows were available, but I can't find them. I'll get Christopher Buckley's book. Thanks.
Marj
-
I loved Bill Buckley's programs, except that his flicking tongue was terribly distracting. I got more out of his program when I didn't actually look at him.
-
Does anyone remember the "Priest" that use to be on the TV giving Talks? Was years ago. Not about religion all the time. Use to get onto some really good subjects.
-
Bishop Sheen
-
Who was the British interviewer...David (??)? He was very good, also.
Closest I've found these days is Charlie Rose on PBS - and he's worse about interupting or "opining" instead of letting his guest talk than he used to be.
-
Jeriron. You are right. He was so funny at times. Reminded me of a Priest in our Parrish in U.K.
-
David Frost
-
Thank you, Mabel. Whatever happened to him? Is he still living?
-
I think depressing books must vary for each reader and hit some chord in oneself,perhaps related to the time and circumstances in which the book is read, but worthy of some self reflection. I found "The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne ' deeply depressing (Brian Moore), for example, but others might not. I did not think Anna K. was depressing. I think I was unable to empathise with her , but can't altogether remember...it was so long ago I read it (so I might feel quite differently now).
-
No, it was Rosamunde Pilcher who wrote THE SHELL SEEKERS.
My puter had to leave for hospital last Friday morning and did not come back until late this afternoon.
Diagnosis was some kind of virus that hides itself inside a real and running program and is almost undetectable. Undetectable except that it makes putering miserable and then miserabler.
Did you hear about the 4 year old who was in the room while his parents were watching the news? Our President's picture appeared and, thinking it a teaching moment, his dad asked the child if he knew who that was. The child replied that it was Barack Obama. The mother then asked if the little boy knew what Barack Obama did. The child thought a moment and replied with gusto: "He Approved This Message!"
-
Lovely, one nil to the child :)
-
One of the magazines had an excerpt from "Caring For Mum and Pup", and I was delighted
with it. I knew nothing of the son of those two well-known figures, and very much enjoyed
finding how well Christopher Buckley could write. Had anyone read anything else of his?
-
Oh I loved that answer. I am so tired of political ads and it is only August. Bah..
-
watching a movie biblical epic with son when hwas about9, I asked if he knew whohis namesake , the prophet (John the Baptist) was, and he answered right away, "Charlton Heston."
-
Now, a note about "books". Last night I had the privilege of moderating "Run" by Ann Patchett, at our library book club. I did cadge a couple of comments/questions from the discussion here, and "thank you all". We had a lively, very intuitive discussion. We had our usual compliment of six members, and everyone participated fully (which is not always the case, if you know f2f book groups!) with comment, interpretation and readings from the book. We also touched (very briefly in passing) on Patchett's other books. One other member and I have read "Bel Canto" three times, one (a new member) had not read it at all, but wrote it down in her notebook for future reading! I love to see that happen.
-
here is a fun site - find out which Jane Austen Heroine you are -
http://www.strangegirl.com/emma/quiz.php
-
State of Wonder.. Wow.. it gets wilder and wilder. I am now officially so confused. No idea how the mysterious doctor who hides out in the jungle convinces all of these people to be her protectors, but that seems to be the case.
-
BELLE, that's a classic! :D
Hmm. It appears I am Elinor Dashwood. Okay, I like Elinor. :)
-
I am now deep in the jungle.. Part of the plot seems to be that no matter what she does or does not do. Her luggage is always lost.. Each place she lands,. she loses clothes.. Even on her arrival with the tribe.. How weird, but knowing Patchett, this has a meaning.. This book is going to be a more than once read to figure out what is happening.
-
This book is going to be a more than once read to figure out what is happening.
It gets curiouser and curiouser.
-
We now have 2 new young writers in my small city who are being recognized all over the globe.Marianne Malone the name of one and her book is named "The sixty-Eight Rooms. A book that revolving around the Thorne Miniature Rooms that are at the Art Institute of Chicago. Going to be a series of 5 more books now. The other young lady is Julia Cross. Who started writing in 2009. Her first book is "Tempest" Both sound so good. Will see if I can order. Bound to be a waiting list as both still living in C/U.
-
I injoyed State of wonder, even though it si a wildly improbable ride! What a premise: that some numbskill pharmaceutical company thought a drug that would enable women to become pregnant into their seventies would be a boon to humanity and a big seller for them. Please.
As Joan Rivers would say.
-
I am Anne Elliott of Persuasion. Not too shabby.
That is what the test results were.
Actually, I am Fanny of Mansfield Park, but the questions did not always fit my case. I mean, I really WOULD BE Fanny if I had to be an Austen heroine. The one I would most LIKE to be is Emma. But of course!
-
To my amazement and regret I finished State of Wonder last night. I will digest it and then sometimes in the next month reread it. That is probably the wildest ride I can imagine.. Full of joy and sorrow and regret and amazement at the way they presented the trees, mushrooms and drug apps.. My oh My.. do you supposed drug companies finance that sort of research?? Who knows. I feel like walking around, grabbing readers and saying.. Readthis.. You will simply be aroused and happy at the plot and descriptions. I am delighted I found something I really really loved his summer to read.
-
"Improbable" doesn't begin to cover that idea, BELLE. What idiot could possibly think
women would want to become pregnant late in life, starting all over again with babies
and teens! :o
Have you put "State of Wonder" into the list of books suggested for discussion, STEPH.
With so enthusiastic a reaction, I would think it an ideal candidate.
-
Pregnant in your 70's? My youngest daughter worked in a Mayan village in Guatemala several years ago. What she learned from the women there was that they did not want to be like "so and so" in their village, over fifty and with a 5-year-old.
Of course, my next youngest comes close. She'll be 50 when her daughter is eight. But that is not considered unusual any more, as more and more women postpone child-bearing. Are we heading in that direction, will there be some kind of prescription to slow down the clock?
I"m currently reading Grisham's The Litigators and am ready to believe anything about Big Pharma, except that their biggest concern is the health of the public.
-
Claude and CamilleI think someone else here read this, if so tell me what you thought.
This is a fictionalized story of Claude and Camille Monet. For about two-thirds of the book i was bored, primarily bacause i have read other fiction about artists, particularly Pissarro, Van Gogh of this era, and Michelangelo. So i know the stories of the failed exhibitions and the dislike of their impressionistic paintings. The stories are so similar - poverty, passion, obssession on the art, self-centered artist. It made me question whether to be a renown artist, one has to be a little insane? In order to be a person who creates something that is new does one have to be singularly focused, perservering and self-centered?
The last third of the book was the most interesting for me because there was more focus on relationships and less on the rejection of his paintings and the poverty.
If you have not read any stories, fiction or non-fiction, about the impressionists, you may enjoy this. I believe the author has done good research and gives a good account of their situations. I will look for other books by her.
Jean
-
In order to be a person who creates something that is new does one have to be singularly focused, persevering and self-centered?
could apply to Steve Jobs - it maybe how we look at their drive and describe what we see that is different - their obsession we see as anti-social to the point of being rude - I wonder if it is more the person who brings their new ideas to public attention and acceptance rather than being someone who creates -
I guess I am thinking of Apple and it was Steve Wozniak who had most of the creative solutions and ideas but it was Steve Jobs who found the money and created the company that included his concept of good design. I think there are many Nobel Prize winners who created new concepts that their names are only known in their field of work and some names are just that names of folks who created but did not push their notoriety or start a company based in their creation. I am thinking an artist to be successful must be a small business or, sell to a Gallery who will bring the business aspects like pricing, marketing and publicity to their work.
Seems to me Picasso had one of his wives handle the business end of his creativity. And Warhol was as much a showman as an artist creating a system that as many as 70 other artists did the work of painting at his direction - so what is that - the creation must be as much the system and publicity as creating unique artwork.
Himm great question to ponder - what creative works that become part of the social fabric is really about the art, music, science etc. and what works are part of history because of creative marketing or publicity that may even have resulted from who purchased the creative idea. I am thinking those whose work was commissioned by Kings and Popes.
Wow my brain is going with this - I wonder is that why so many want to tell you about famous people they know - there is this unspoken knowledge that knowing and getting a nod from fame brings you into the circle if you are focused on bringing something to public attention...
-
I also thought about James Audubon. I remember when we read his autobio in non-fiction and how upset i was at his treatment of his wife. All of the creative guys i have read about, including the ones i've mentioned, and Rodin also, gave no shrift to their families, especially their wives. They just take off for months or years at a time and control the lives of everyone in the family, either directly or indirectly.
I guess politicians have been similar and then Henry Ford and JD Rockefellerwere similar. Barb, i haven't yet read the Steve Jobs bio, but i will just to see how similar his life is to these guys. Which brings another question, is this a "guy-thing"? The women i can think of were mostly unmarried. And of women in general, most "famous" women whose names we know for great accmplishments have been single, or have no children, or have accomplished after their children are grown, they are widowed, or their marriages are "done" ala Eleanor Roosevelt. I've forgotten what Mary Cassatt's status was. Lillian Helman was married to another author later in her life and had no children.
Tell me who else you can think of ? ( my 9th grade English teacher wouldn't like that
sentence :P )
Jean
-
Seems to me Elizabeth Cady Stanton had a mess of kids - but then she still has not been given the accolades of Susan B. Anthony. -
I'm thinking society is uncomfortable with a mom figure as a creative genius or someone at the top of the heap - I am thinking it is a guy thing only in that we are still a patriarchal society that has greater meaning than if or not women are subservient to men. The system is laid out in a way that change means we have to buck it and all women have been able to accomplish is a few bulges. However, it remains a system laid out with the values and success-marks of a patriarchal system. And so, what was and still is acceptable - in fact revered as qualities towards creative success - are what woman have been willing to adopt just to show they can do it as they try to get equal access to the system. However, the system still does not honor women as wives and mothers achieving creative excellence.
Oh, we are given all sorts of roses and there is a statue to pioneer women who were only doing a man's job while birthing and caring for children. There are still lots of folks, for the most part they call themselves Christian who hang on to the past and would like it if we still held high the social values before the 1920s which again is promoting and keeping alive the system.
None of us think our own boys, and for some of us our husbands and male family members, are all that bad - we do not label them - we need to believe we have family love and respect - in the face of our emotional reaction to the males in our lives how does each family teach a mind-set change - How - we do not have a kind, gentle way suggested by anyone how to confront loved ones without setting up a mini war -
How are systems changed - we are talking major here - heck laws don't do it - we have lots of progress on race equality but then every week we are reminded we still have not as a society crossed the Rubicon -
I do not think all the ways the patriarchal system touches society have been listed, noted much less cataloged with an agreement as to what an equal society would look like. Some think equal simply means being accepted to do what the boys do within a patriarchal system. What would an equal system look like...?
Look at all the moms who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan - how many have lost their lives - and yet, we still do not have any women featured in any of the reports - there is this underlying embarrassment that most folks think woman soldiers, not the guys, but the women should be home with their children.
Patriarchy says women should find their success in childrearing and men should, at all risk and cost, have adventure and creative success. Let me ask the question Mabel - what women in recent history that stood up for equality is equally revered and glorified as a man - they still even make in fun of Hillary Clinton - and with this new TV program that has taken off about the 50s - haven't seen it but it brings chills as I did see the caste on the Charlie Rose show explaining their characters along with the producer/writer and recently if you notice the news is filled with Marilyn Monroe - McNamara can own up to his mistake but we still will not forgive Jane Fonda -
Oh, we can get angry with those who seem to have blinders on and are heading for one acceptable morality but it is the system, not those who live by the system - The big question - How is a system changed when the power is in the system.
After years of reading book after book about power and power-over the best answer I found is in a novel that takes place in Italy, during WWII, when marauding German soldiers without leadership, no officers or even Sergeant’s who they had to obey, were guilty of all the horrors we can imagine - why - because as the author said, they can - because in a group they identify with the 'I can' behavior that makes it right – as small children boys are handed a sense of entitlement - the book - History: A Novel
http://www.amazon.com/History-A-Novel-Elsa-Morante/dp/1586420046/ref=la_B000APLY00_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344290868&sr=1-1
All to say a book is written that includes a Bio to match the values admired within our system. A story focuses on those characteristics that allow a page to be turned - they do not publish books that are accurate but will sit on a shelf because the author does not hit the socially revered sweet spots.
-
How do systems change, great question. I read one article about the practice of foot-binding in China. It was a deeply ingrained custom, but it changed. Not from any outside force but from a realization that it was wrong, backward, cruel and unnecessary. and now it is gone. let's hope female muilation goes the same route. In our own time, look at cigarette smoking, another practice that took outside forces, the scientifric research that showed the link to disease, to move it from a habit of most adults to the habit if a few. So change comes from inside and outside. In our time, I think the appeal to rationality and common sense is a pwerful motive for change, We respect technology.
I think the women today have far more chances for rewarding careers then the women of my generation. I watched it with my five daughters. the oldest have chosen tradional careers: a teacher, a medical seretary, a registered nurse. Then comes the founder of a thriving marketing communication business, and an executive recruiter for a great university. I don't know any details of salaries, but I think the last two are making more than twice the salary of any of the others. The real difference is, they don't just like their jobs, they are passionate about them.
and ye, they are all moms.
-
Considering some of the works that museums have hung at great cost, I would have to
think that it was the result of great marketing. I wouldn't want one of them on my walls
if they were given away. Mondrian...I simply don't get him at all.
I like your thinking, BELLE. I hadn't thought of it that way before, but common sense and
rationality are making a sound impact today. Look at all the people who thinking more sensibly
about their diets, and getting more exercise. A good idea can always make an impact, it enough
people hear about it.
-
I think that many things are cyclic..But in the smoking, I think that more and more costs, plus places you can smoke cause a number of people to give it up. I also think that that is why jr. high students smoke..They are at the heigth of rebellion and smoking is an easy way to show off their independence..
-
Just a quick look back at late life pregnancy. My mom's Newfoundland neighbor had an expression f or it: She called it "getting caught on the turn."
I think I will gtry to do some more reading about system chang. The author Malcolm Gladwell has a book, "The Tipping Point, that I can get on audio. From reviews, I gather it deals with systemmic change. anybody reqd it?
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Ah, contemporary art! A complete black hole to me until I get a tour of MassMoCA, the Massachusetts Museum of contemporary Art. The docent was superb. I was actually able to see some of the works from the artists' perspctives ahd had several
WOW moments. Particularly in some of the modern media, video, neon sculture, assemblages, collages, audioeffects, a whole new landscape. Made me realize that art is not always a painting in a frame. Even tho I had seen pictures of Jackson Pollack's works in books, it wasn't unjtil I stepped out of an elevator at the Chicago Art Institute, and BLAM, it was stretched across the entire wall in fron of me. It is a miracle. What does it "mean"> I can only guess: that paint and sace rcan be related in a non pictorial way. Would I want it on my wall. ? No way. .
Now if I could only figure our contemporary music.
-
"Now if I could only figure our contemporary music."
Amen!
-
Now if I could only figure our contemporary music.
Do you really want to, BELLE? :-\
-
Most contemporary art leaves me cold.. I do love color though and abstractcolors are great.. But the installations nowadays are simply not my cup of tea except for glass. I am a glass freak and a fan of Dale Chihuly.
-
I'm with you, Steph, on Chihuly and glass. I do love contemporary art, though, and am learning more and more to appreciate installations (some of them, anyway).
-
There is a Chihuly display at the Dallas Arboretum until (I think) late September.
-
We've gone to Atlanta, Knoxville, and Nashville (and here, of course) to see Chihuly exhibits, but I guess I'll have to skip Dallas.
-
Mabel you opened Pandora's box if it is a guy thing or what - and what it is going to take to change either the guys or women's lot - my daughter and I were on the phone for hours last night and bottom line we come to some of the same conclusions ending with agreeing compared to many we do not have it so bad -
Then yesterday, I met for lunch two of my friends, again the conversation went on and on - what prompted much of it was the recent article about the Breedlove boy who cut ahead in line when boarding Southwest Airline with his Lacrosse team and how the coach had him apologize over the cabin speaker. Seems everyone laughed and clapped. We tried to imagine a couple of girls aggressively cutting in ahead and if the passengers would think it was funny and applaud them if they publicly apologized. We looked back at our memory of raising our children and saw how we did have different expectations for our girls. We not only taught them not to be aggressive but to be more careful and circumspect.
We all have girls that are successful adults with husbands that give their family attention but we could see where the husbands help out it is just that, help and not a team effort sharing the planning and keeping up with what comes next - the girls still had two jobs even if the home job gives them more help than we had when our role was Mom and homemaker.
But what really iced the cake - PBS has been running a series about the various industries in the U.S. from start to product in our homes - energy - shipping - manufacturing - produce - cattle etc. This week they featured an hour long show on manufacturing. On the west coast is a new company building robots - they are still working on prototypes - what look will the public accept, what tasks can the Robot accomplish with the least snafu - what size and color etc. It seems they just about have a successful prototype Robot for office assistance but the one they are trying to develop as a homemaker's assistant is a huge struggle - it will fold laundry but the problem is that there are SO MANY tasks to keeping a house and SO MANY instantaneous requirements that come up at the last moment and SO MANY new tasks that are expected from a homemaker plus, household equipment is not uniform nor are the needs of a family. So they are very far from developing a successful Robot to assist a homemaker.
This realization we all wished was hailed in all the news rather than if a young 'female' Olympian wears her hair one way or another - bring attention to the unique demands of being a homemaker could and would help elevate the work of women, who are most homemakers and that alone we decided would go a long way to feeling we were valued - When it comes down to it that is part of the equality we want - not only equal opportunity - and equal pay for equal job but our work as homemakers has not been valued on the same level as the assistant manager much less the manager or the CEO of a small business with this Robot proving it is actually more demanding.
Maybe that is it - to use the Tipping Point scenario it takes a group already in the change - but then maybe the change will never be changing the system but rather step by step like the Robot trying to assist the homemaker - Maybe that is it, there are so many changes - Your post Belle reminded us - I forgot till talking to my daughter - it took years of TV and classroom showings of those awful photos of destroyed lungs plus a few major law suits that Tobacco companies lost before folks started to in large numbers take seriously stopping the habit - Then I guess if we were like China we could have the National leadership say, 'this is what will be' as Mao and the party did when they stopped foot binding and sent an army of young women police into all the villages to unwrap the feet of girls and with great agony some of the older women - do not think that way of change would go over so well here in the states - we were not as successful as we would like trying to change race behavior legally and yet, many a community made huge inroads when they made it illegal to smoke in public buildings - looks like we are back to square one - what and how gives women the equal respect, opportunities, pay and freedoms of men.
Maybe a read of Blink by the author of the Tipping Point, would be helpful since it seems to be an unconscious thought pattern that keeps us acting in ways that further the status quo.
Just finished reading Mrs. Hollingsworth's Men -quirky, but filled with wise and witty truths - here is one of them that seems to fit..."She had made herself into a model companion for other people who themselves were not waiting to become themselves but who were also modeling for companionship. So they had all become model companions."
-
"we could see where the husbands help out it is just that help and not a team effort sharing the planning and keeping up with what comes next "
I have to exclude my SIL from that, who was the househusband when the kids were little. But I did notice that as they got older, it was my daughter who juggled their complex schedules of school and activities.
-
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art has a large permanent Chihuly exhibit.
http://www.okcmoa.com/see/collections/dale-chihuly-glass/ (http://www.okcmoa.com/see/collections/dale-chihuly-glass/)
Scroll down to see some pictures. Click on each one for an enlargement.
Since this page was published, the collection has been taken down, cleaned and remounted - with a few additional pieces.
You're invited! :)
-
Barb! I love your post! I have on two recent occasions mentioned to some 30s-somethings in our family that, when it was stated the husbands/fathers were "babysitting," that they were caring for their own children, " and that's called PARENTING! "
Language can be so important in our thinking concepts. I cringe everytime i hear someone uses the word "manning" (the phones, the desk, the machine). Its so easy to say "staffing" and doesn't give our brain a gender picture.
I recommend to all the younger gneration women that they need to go away for work, for vacation, for whatever for at least a week and leave husbands to run the household every couple of years. My husband said each time i came back, "i don't know how you do this!" Sometimes we make things seem too natural and easy. Also one of the discussions i've heard women have is that our household duties are all thought of as in-house tasks and we seldom "farm them out". On the other hand, if a man is not "handy", or just doesn't like doing "handy" tasks, little thought is given to calling in a carpenter or painter or landscaping service (lawn mowers), snow shovelers, etc. but many women have had guilt or had to argue for a long time before a house cleaner is hired. After all, anyone can vacuum, dust, wash dishes, etc!!
But no one has answered the question about whether one needs to be slightly psychotic in order to be a great, creative, famous person?
Jean
-
Jean, re your question.... Years ago, we visited the Salvator Dali Museum in Tampa, FL. The title of their brochure was "Madman or Genius". My response was a resounding "YES". I had never cared for his work, knowing only the ones that were shown in textbooks, etc. Seeing a whole body of work really changed my view as to the talent of the man. He was an amazing artist - and probably crazy as a bedbug!
Callie, thanks for the photos. The installation of a Chihuly exhibit is an art-form in itself. All those shadows and reflections are part of the experience.
-
Columbus, Ohio has a wonderful place for Chihuly... It is an arboretum and the pieces are everywhere. I saw the Oklahoma City one, but love the Museum of the American Indian in the same city more..St. Petersburg and Orlando in Florida have permanent pieces of Chihuy and now St. Pete also has a Chihuly museum of its own and a blow furnace with apprentices.. He is all over the place.. Of course Tacoma is his home town and they have the bridge of Glass. Wow.. mind blowing. but Tacoma was a really really fun place to visit.
Its sort of funny.. My husband really fussed with me since he wanted to hire someone to clean house and I never agreed for long. I always felt I did a better job.. Silly.. but true.
-
I don't think there is any denying that males are, by and large, more agressive than females. In the sort of incident you describe, BARB, we tend to think of the boys' behavior as thoughtless. If a group of girls do it, they are suspected of being deliberately pushy and rude. It's hard to know how much of this is learned attitudes or simply recognition of
genetic differences.
I would love to have proper regard paid to the very complex job of homemaker. Every job has it's routines, but few have the multiple interruptions, disturbances and surprises being a homemaker and mother does. Not to mention wife.
Thank you for that Chihuly link, CALLIE. It is always a pleasure to pause and enjoy that beautiful glasswork.
Excellent point, JEAN. Such attitudes always manage to creep into the language, to the point we simply don't notice it. And I hadn't thought before about how easy it was for the men to 'farm out' unpleasant chores, whereas a woman who hires someone to do a job she could do herself....well, she's just plain lazy! :-\
-
Color me another one who loves glass. I go all ga ga inside of me over beautiful glass.
For decades I collected Early American Pressed Glass water goblets in every pattern I could get my hands on and in colors only. There were about 3,000 patterns, but only about 500 of them were ever made in color.
I do not collect any longer. Am too old to go antiquing, either in person or on the web. Daughter Becky got all of the purple and lavendar goblets and granddaughter Paige has about half of the blue already; the rest of the blue will go to her. Granddaughter Kathryn has several of these goblets I have already given her, and will get the rest except for a set of red promised son Chip. Have given one or two others out here and there, but basically they are going to the ones who have loved them most.
I still get joy from the ones I still have and all the other glass in my house. You would all go ape over my collection of glass sailboats.
-
Here's an interesting article about whether this is the "Year of the women" at the Olympics. I won't even comment on the use of the word "girls". Do they call it "boys (basketball, soccer, water polo, volleyball")? No! Always "men's"! ( well, i guess i did comment, just can't resist) ;D ;D Anyway, this article is rather appaling. It seems so easy these days to call women nasty names. B...., slut, whore, and there doesn't seem to be much blowback against people who say it.
http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/sarah-attar-wojdan-shaherkani-games-of-the-girls-not-really-080712
Jean
-
John heard that at least some of the men's teams from Japan and Australia flew to London business class, while the women flew tourist. SHAME!
-
The best comment on Gabby's hair:
Let it fly in the breeze
And get caught in the trees
Give a home to the fleas in my hair
A home for fleas
A hive for bees
A nest for birds
There ain't no words
For the beauty, the splendor, the wonder
Of my Hair, hair, hair, hair, hair, hair, hair
I want it long, straight, curly, fuzzy
Snaggy, shaggy, ratty, matty
Oily, greasy, fleecy
Shining, gleaming, streaming
Flaxen, waxen
Knotted, polka-dotted
Twisted, beaded, braided
Powdered, flowered, and confettied
Bangled, tangled, spangled, and spaghettied!
This whole 'Girls Games' issue seems to be in line with the panic by some, mostly political and religious and the heavy handed put downs that has been revved up against women in the last year.
-
I could not agree with you more!
No doubt about it, and every female in this world should take note and fight it, there IS a War Against Women.
Barefoot and pregnant and in the kitchen; that is where they want us. We are supposed to produce the baby boys and then given them over to the men for use as cannon fodder.
I guess the term cannon fodder has outlived its meaning. Suicide bombing fodder?
My husband was not like that, and maybe yours is/was not either; but most of them ARE like that, and you'd better believe it!
-
barb, no doubt the lyrics from the musical "Hair".
-
Love it Barb.......saw Hair on Broadway in 1971, remember how scandalous it was? ......HA!
-
Oh my gosh yes - my mother wouldn't even let me read about it! It was very much of its time, wasn't it? Whenever I find myself singing 'The Age of Aquarius', I think of places like Berkeley and Woodstock - of course I wasn't there, but it does conjure up an era that now seems very innocent.
Rosemary
-
And we have snide remarks about Gabby - hmmm sounds like we would all do her a favor by making some requests to our local radio station...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYGP3CIT4r4
-
Funny, this discussion on women.. I am spending the summer high in the mountains of North Carolina. A quiet and lovely place,,BUT and this is amazing. There was a picture two days ago of the opening of a new elementary school locally..School board, County Commission, town Commision, and supt.of schools.. All without exception... MALE...WHITE...AND PAST MIDDLE AGE.. Amazing.. Whew..We forget or I do how many places in the world still subscribe to fathers know best.. Ugh. you might be interested in a blog.. Margaret and Helen.com ... This is a favorite of mine.
-
oh boy, Hair.......I saw it in London back in 69 or so--I had just finished med school and was doing my first house job (internship)....thought I was the bees knees......we had that record in the mess (we all lived in, in those days) and it was played constantly
This was my favorite, hope it comes out....what a piece of work is man....
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ChTBKjtfd2w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
-
Serendipity - (love that word) re:our discussion on genius and psychosis, this morning in my learnoutloud newsletter, an offer to listen free to a part of Khalil Gibran's "The Madman" . A reading of his book of poems, short fables and reflections. I haven't listened to it yet, but i will. Do you remember our popular Gibran was in the 60s? We used a part of one of his poems in our wedding ceremony.
Here's the website for the sample of the book
http://www.learnoutloud.com/Free-Audio-Video/Literature/-/The-Madman/26914?utm_source=FROTD&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Free%2BResource%20of%20the%20Day
Jean
-
I didn't realize Gibran was that popular. I discovered him on my own either in the late 60's or early 70's. My Dover edition of The Prophet has since disappeared. I've just downloaded The Madman for my Kindle. Thanks for the reminder of him.
-
A bit off topic
I came in to ask if any of you have read Adriana Trigiani's The Shoemaker's Wife? I came across it on one of the lists posted in the Library last week - I think it was one maryz put up. It sounded intriguing, the reviews were all great. In another discussion Fry pointed out that the paperback will be coming out next week - which surprised me because the book just came out in April. Here's a link to the reviews - http://www.amazon.com/The-Shoemakers-Wife-ebook/dp/B006ICVOUO/ref=tmm_kin_title_0
We're looking for books that would make a good discussion in October and plan a preliminary vote to pare down the list of nominated titles. If you have any suggestions, or would like to see the nominated titles, please come over to the Suggestion Box (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=309.msg163977#new) and put in your two cents...
Thanks - we need your input to keep this site going...
-
Steph, I just recently found Margaret and Helen (maybe from you?) and have fallen totally in love with this gal. She is fabulous!
-
JoanP, I've read "The Shoemaker's Wife" and would recommend it for "escape reading" when you go on the trip with your grandkids (read that, I think, in another folder :)).
Yesterday, I was "surfing" on my PBS t v stations and came upon an interview with author, Alan Furst. His books sounded intriguing. Has anyone read any of them? Opinion?
I picked up his "Red Gold" at the library today.
-
Picked up the CD of Alan Furst's newest book, Mission To Paris for us to listen to when my daughter drove us from NC to Texas in June - we got so busy talking that we listened to less than one chapter - he is touted as the best mystery thriller writer ever. I prefer cozy's but did enjoy The Hunt for the Red October that to me was more mystery thriller than spy story. Forgot the author but we were mesmerized listening to it on a long distance trip from Pennsylvania and so on the strength of that memory I chose the Mission To Paris.
-
Re Australian men travelling business class while the women flew tourist, all might not be as it appears. An official on TV said that athletes had the choice to cash in their first class tickets if they wanted, and use the balance to shop in London. I think many of the women accepted.
-
A propos of nothing, I am travelling up to Aberdeen FIRST CLASS on the train on Monday - ridiculously excited (for some reason first class was only £10 more than standard on this particular train) because you get big seats and free food! I have only ever travelled 1st class on train once before, when Madeleine and I were given seats there by a very kind ticket collector (because someone else had taken our standard, booked, seats and refused to move.) Am planning to wait for lunch (train leaves at 2.30) specially - what a treat.
My mother frequently goes 1st class as it is much cheaper for senior citizens on certain trains.
Airlines are of course quite different and I can well understand these women wanting to keep the money - the cost for 1st class is unbelievable.
Rosemary
-
Yes, I keep hoping that planes would develop a middle class.. but they dont. It is either cattle call and no room to breathe, or wonderful luxury..When I broke my ankle in Hawaii many years ago, my husbands company flew me home first class. I was really in pain, so did not get to take advantage of much..Still I had room for my cast and me..
-
Interesting, Octavia. Thanks for the information. I guess they're young and some things are more important than others. ::)
-
Ah, Kahlil Gibran. I was probably in my thirties when I read his "The Prophet". I was
very much impressed and moved, but for some reason didn't do as well with the next think
I read of his. Don't even remember what it was. A quick quote from Gibran that I think
you all will appreciate: I have learnt silence from the talkative, toleration from the
intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strange, I am ungrateful to these teachers.
-
Great quote, Babi.
-
I love that quote, too.
I flew first class once, thanks to a friend, an airline executive who got me a free ticket. I was excited, too. They give you free glasses of wine, and I decided to indulge. As soon as the steward handed me my wine, we jhit an airpocket, dropped ten feet, and all the wine landed in my lap. The steward gave me towels, but I still smelled like a vinyard.
My neighbor proceeded to get soused -- the steward got him four or five drinks, (leaning over me to do it) while completely ignoring my request to replace my undrunken wine. (maybe he thought from the smell that I was drunk). I finally got a glass of mediocre wine (not worth drinking), and sat there, wet and smelly with my soused neighbor for what seemed a very long trip.
I'm glad I didn't pay $1000 for that trip. Hope yours goes better!
-
For year the saying was. (Coach flying get there just as soon as first class). But I came back from UK a few years ago having been bumped up to First Class. What a difference. Wine. china dishes, slippers. big seats. Nice restroom. Would go that way everytime if I had money to spare. Now Coach use to be fine going overseas. Not anymore.
Now some Airlines do have 3 ways. Coach. Business, 1st class. Business is quite good. At this time even coach is more than I want to pay.
-
The old dilimma, JEANNE. A taste of high living can leave you dissatisfied with what was perfectly adequate before. So are we better off without a glimpse of the 'high life'? :-\
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Actually once upon a time Coach was just fine.. Comfortable..friendly...made for humans. Now it seems to be some sort of zoo and the stewards are not even remotely human.. I know.. they are too too busy, but it does make it hard to cope. They are mostly salesmen now.
-
As I have just completed 8 flights in the last couple of weeks, both domestically and in Europe, I will timidly venture an opinion here. (I love first class trains, Rosemary, you enjoy every minute!!), and I think the airliner coach experience may depend on the carrier and the length of flight. For instance the little Embrayers which they use here to get you to a large hub are wonderful, I think, the single leather seats (in coach), (the entire airplane is coach), United (formerly Continental) and anybody's policy of online check in and allowing you to choose your seats or change them even the night before, allowing you to have the first or second single seat in the plane is lovely.
I like Virgin Atlantic for overseas flights because they fly over to London in the daytime and you have no jet lag when you land. But this time to go to Europe from London instead of Alitalia I took British Air to Rome and back and was very impressed with their coach. I figured 2 1/2 hours or 2 hours how bad could it be? It was cheap, too.
It was nice! The seats were large, and the arm rests stayed in position (so Tubby next to you did too) and the best part was your stuff DID go under the seat in front of you which is new to me and much better than Alitalia where nothing including your feet fits under the seat. Even tho we were three on each side it was still pleasant and British Air insists upon feeding you and they even did free bottles of wine (I don't drink) but my two seat mates from Australia sure did, they each had 4 free little bottles and they weren't particularly mini, about 10 oz I'd say of Pinot. They were very nice people and quite interesting. They did hot panini for free, and tea or a soft drink, whatever you wanted. I was impressed, you don't get that domestically. I like their coach.
The worst problem for me on any flight is the people who have bags big enough to put gramdma in because they don't want to pay for a second bag and they either (1) get tagged, as they embark upon the plane and their bags are taken under the plane at that point, thus escaping the charge but having to wait for their bag to be brought to them at exiting the plane, or (2) they hog all the overhead bins so when you get on yours is full. I think they should be made to pay for any oversize bag going inside a plane, that would stop that.
-
I guess I assumed they would have to pay for that second bag if it didnt fit.. An amazing way to be cheap.. Brit Air.. I have flown it internationally and love it.. In England, I used the little cheap planes.. but now I understand they are charging for the first bag there. I did not mind getting back to London on them, since that airport has a wonderful easy train to London..
Eight Planes. Oh Ginny.. that would do me in.
-
Looks like there was no choice with money available for shopping - would have been nice but here is the skinny from BBC.
The Japan Football Association said the women had their flights upgraded because they won the silver medal.
The men's team came home empty-handed.
The Associated Press news agency quoted the JFA as saying the men's team had flown business class to London because they were professionals.
But after both teams arrived in London, members of the women's squad had complained they had been treated unequally.
Japan are the current women's football World Cup champions, having beaten the US in July 2011 in Germany, and were strong contenders for gold. The men were not expected to win a medal.
Star player Homare Sawa told Japanese media that her team had been given business class seats last year, but only after they won the World Cup.
Japan's Olympic Committee allocated most of its athletes economy class seats.
The Japan Football Association has been funding male footballers to fly business class since 1996. The women's plane tickets to London for the Olympics had also been upgraded, but only to premium economy.
-
Sigh!
I wonder about the US men's and women's basketball teams. I can't imagine all those male NBA prima Donnas flying anything but first class. I wonder how the women flew?
-
I honestly thought the athletes would go charter.Seemed like a simply solution to a big problem, but I guess not.
-
I just finished a little book, a first novel by Katie Crouch, Girls in Trucks. I don't know quite how to describe it. The protagonist starts as a 12 yr old in Charleston, SC - yes another Carolina book, but she doesn't stay there. Her mother and grandmother had been Camellias, the name of girls who go thru the cotillion process. The story takes her thru to age 45 in a Sex in the City kind of way. Altho i was not a fan of Sex in the City, i liked this little story. It's sort of a stream of conscious story about/by "Sarah" and her Camellia friends.
Jean
-
I read Girls in Trucks, but did notlike it that much. It is different for sure.
-
I'm going to go w-a-a-y out on a limb here and recommend a book; a novel by Chris Bohjalian, "The Sandcastle Girls". I'm sure some of you have read one or more of his books. I am sorry to say I hadn't, until now. This man can WRITE. This is about the best book I've read all year, maybe even since last year. Warning: It is a searing, almost painful book to read, intertwined with a beautiful love story (secondary to the tale itself). One of the lines in the book: "The Slaughter You Know Next To Nothing About". I had no idea about the Armenian Genocide of 1915, can't think I ever saw it mentioned in any book. All through history there has been genocide, most as an accompaniment to whichever war was ramping up or actually being fought. This one WWI, WWII's holocaust, The Killing Fields of Cambodia, Africa's several; even now in Syria. The essence of hate is simply staggering, and it goes on and on. As the folk song says, "when will we ever learn?"
Read this book if you think you can handle it, or find another of Bohjalian's books which I'm sure will be every bit as beautifully written as this one.
-
The Sandcastle Girls sounds very good, Tomereader. I'll add it to my list.
I've only read one book by Bohjalian, Double Bind (2007), but I wouldn't recommend it. Found it long-winded and boring. Am alway willing, tho,' to give an author a second chance.
Marj
-
I like him and have read several of his books.. Loved The Midwife.. Will look for the Armenian. I have knownabout that all of my life.. Had friends who were Armenian.. friends of the family, I should say.
-
I liked The Midwife, read several years ago, but have not read any of his others. Don't know if I'm ready for painful right now, in either books or films.
I'm currently reading Michael Ondaatje's (English Patient) The Cat's Table, set on an ocean liner in 1954. 11-year-old Michael is travelling alone from Ceylon to England, to meet his mother (after 4 years) and to go to school. At the Cat's table, the one farthest from the Captain's, he meets two other boys travelling solo, and a host of other interesting characters, who are introduced during the 21-day journey, some who greatly impacted his life. I know nothing about Ondaatje's life, but am beginning to wonder if the novel is perhaps autobiographical in parts. One thing I do know -- the Captain was blind-sided. Who in their right mind would allow three young boys to travel alone on a 21-day journey?
-
Yes, pedlin, The Cat's Table is as quoted by Ondaatje, autobiographical in parts. I was supposed to have moderated this book for f2f book club, but after reading it, I did not enjoy the book at all, rather dull (to me) and I didn't think our f2f group would like it either. Since I had plenty of time before my turn to choose and moderate, I opted for "Run" by Ann Patchett, which I liked very much and the group did too. A lively discussion ensued!
I think, after "The English Patient" I was expecting too much from this book by Ondaatje.
-
I read The Cat's Table and did not care for it. I was very disappointed as I expected more from the author.
Sally
-
If you liked Patchetts Run,,, do race out and find State of Wonder. She really outdid herself on that one. It was like being on a roller coaster. I loved it. Second only to her first .. Patron Saint of Liars..
-
Steph, I liked Patchett's "Run", but was not that bowled over by "State of Wonder". Strange story. I liked the ending though.
-
Oh the ending was the one thing I did not like about State of Wonder!
I "wonder" how we could talk about it and not spoil it (and it would be spoiled) for a new reader?
In this book it would be a crime to reveal the ending!!! I will say I was very disappointed in the main characters and their actions. I'll just leave it at that, without revealing anything.
-
That's why I only said "I liked the ending though", so I wouldn't spoil anything for anyone who hadn't read it!
-
I'm reading Stephanie Cowell's Marrying Mozart and liking it much more than Claude and Camille (Monet). That may be because i had already read about the impressionists and have not read about Mozart, so it's new to me. There is also more narrative about the interaction among the characters. There is a family of four daughters, the Webers, father and daughters are musical and hold a Thursday night musical salon. Young Mozart appears one night and thus the beginning of a long history of friendship among them.
Jean
-
Have you seen the movie "Amadeus"? In it, Mozart's odd personality is emphasized. There's some thought now that he might have had Tourette's Syndrome.
-
Has anyone read the Australian writer, Kate Morton? B&N was listing her House at Riverton as a sort of feature. The ebook is just $3.99.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/house-at-riverton-kate-morton/1100364360?ean=9781439152676
jane
-
I read "The Forgotten Garden" quite some time ago - It was a good "summer on the porch" read and I did enjoy it. I should really try some of her other work before summer leaves and while our porch is still so pleasant on a lazy day! Thanks for the reminder!
-
I've read House on Riverton and enjoyed it. The Forgotten Garden is in my rather large TBR pile.
-
I read Forgotten Garden and The House at Riverton. I really enjoyed both books. Must look and see if she's written more. Thanks for reminding me about her.
Sally
-
Catch up time: The Distant Hours, 2011 (I think someone mentioned this before) and a new one to be released in October, The Secret Keeper.
-
Oops, I just realized that I read The Distant Hours. Another good book by Kate Morton. While looking up Morton on Amazon; I came across a FREE book for Kindle by Kate Morton and Alice Hoffman (both favorite authors of mine). It is a book sampler featuring a number of books by different authors outlining the premise of these books/authors plus book club discussion questions on these books. I just ordered it.
Sally
-
I did enjoy "State of Wonder". My only complaint was that our protagonist was held up in
that little port city for so long. The delay seemed tedious and pointless in furthering the
story. Then it occurred to me that if it was Patchett's intent to convey her heroine's tedium
and irritation, she did an excellent job!
Reading on the porch! That brings back memories, JOAN. I remember visiting one summer with
a great-aunt and uncle. (My folks managed to farm out my brother for those two weeks, too.
I'm sure they had a lovely rest.) Anyway, there wasn't much to do so I spent most of my
visit on the front porch swing, reading Costain.
SALLY, you will, of course, fill us in on any goodies you find in your book sampler. I'm curious
to know what you find.
-
Costain.. ah now there was a lovely writer. He gave you such great characters and stories. Summer or winter, but he was a great writer to curl up in the cold under a blanket and not come up for air.
The ending.. State of Wonder.. Hmm, dont know how we could discuss it, but would love to give it a try.. There is so much that bewildered me.. And one last thing that I hated...Oh well..
-
Could there be a temporary page opened so you can discuss the ending of the book?
-
I've been intending to read some Costain. Have his BELOW THE SALT on my TBR list, recommended by Jean and Babi. As soon as I fiinish the Ken Follett book I'm reading: FALL OF GIANTS; A NOVEL OF WORLD WAR 1. Great book. I'm finally learning how all those European countries got into the war. Next up is his World Without End, sequel to Pillars of the Earth. I love Follett's writing!
Marj
-
Oh, sitting on the porch... Reminds me of when as a young girl I'd go to visit my grandma in Omaha. We'd sit out on the big porch of her boarding house and watch the people and cars go by on busy Cumming Street. Me, grandma, and her boarder and secret lover Mr. Clotz. "Clotzy" as she called him was a married Catholic, separated but divorce apparently prohibited. But married and living with your girlfriend was okay, I guess. LOL.
Marj
-
But married and living with your girlfriend was okay, I guess. LOL
:D ;) ::)
Yep, LOL the law, as in church law has to do with property rights and all that stuff not this new fangled thing called love between a husband and wife that came along in the Eleventh Century...Once the church horned in on this marriage thing taking over from the traditional role of a father in around 600AD they were not going to let go and include progress, which moves more slowly in Rome than a snail, by acknowledging the moral values of the twentieth century, 1300 years after their takeover of overseeing the marital rights.
As a good friend attorney in Houston says - there nothing moral about the law.
My astonishment that turns to inner sarcasm, that I also read in your post Marj, abounds as I learn this stuff...and yea, I am still a Catholic - it is a mixed bag but then there is as much wonderment as depravity. It's like Penn State - what do you do - close down the University - sell off the property and library - let the kids go find another college to attend -
-
ha ha putting it all in perspective - this just came in my email
(http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/418797_10100154107584077_970540015_n.jpg)
-
Rules in both the Catholic and the Anglican Church in UK were about the same when I was growing up. ( I of the Anglican). Many people (Not the young). lived together because of the Rulings. Had it in my family. First my grandmother who was widowed twice by age 27. I know that the man in her house was not husband. He was a married Catholic from Scotland. Her last daughter was his. She was 6 when she met him. When it came time for her marriage he could not give her away at the Church on the day. They had to go and get my father to do it. My mother was a widow at 42 and at about 60 her and a friend of years could not marry because he was not able to get a church annulment even though had been seperated 20 years. Mother only believed in High Church marriages. No living together. His wife died when mother was 72 So could marry now in HIgh Church. Had to post banns in 3 different churches. Go through all this what I called "Stupid stuff for 30 days" I am sure that a few changes have been made now what with all the divorces in UK.
-
Two of my cousins married in the catholic church in the late 50's, early 60's.. Neither was catholic, but the husbands were. Amazing how picky the church was, I could not be maid of honor since I was not a catholic.. They could not marry inside some rail or another. About j20 years ago, I spent one summer going to three entirely different, all catholic weddings. How things had changed.
-
As a more modern pastor once observed, if God can forgive all sins, he certainly can forgive
a divorce. One can regret the failure of a marriage, and still be relieved at the end of it.
That's a great quote, BARB. I've never read it before, but it certainly puts our grand selves in
our place.
-
I have read 3 Kate Mortons and liked them very much. She is not TOP NOTCH, but she is quite enjoyable.
Now Thomas Costain, THERE is top notch! Anything by him is beyond fabulous.
The church has always changed. I am 83 and have seen ENORMOUS changes right in my lifetime!
Yet the Vatican will swear they never change!
We only have 57,000 nuns left in this country; not enough to staff our parochial schools, so they have to hire lay. About 900 of these are defying the Vatican order that they cease to criticize the church! I think the nuns will refuse, and then the Pope will have to decide whether to excommunicate them or not. If he does, he loses them all!
They want women priests, birth control, an end to letting the rape of children by priests go unpunished, and lots of other sensible stuff!
But consider this: After 400 years, the Church just recently admitted they were wrong and Galileo was right!
Scheesch!
-
But consider this: After 400 years, the Church just recently admitted they were wrong and Galileo was right!
Scheesch!
Only 400 years! My, my. ::)
-
It isn't about the Nuns wanting to criticize the church - its about Rome wanting the nuns to support more urgently certain doctrine and attitudes that support the older views held by those in the Curia who never did agree with the results of Vatican II. This open clash has been decades in the making.
Not only did the church cut the cord that binds during Vatican II so that the nuns no longer were financially supported (they were expected to finance themselves), each order was required to re-write their rules that were originally written for an enclosed community that was part of a submissive life separating and keeping nuns away from the world. Vatican II did not just open the door to the bird cage so to speak it took away the cage - and a big part of this political fight between the Vatican and the American nuns goes back three of the eight commissions that were not acted upon during Vatican II.
Yes, Pope Paul VI did expand the representation to the Commission on on Population, Family, and Birth-rate. However, he was the one who angrily declared three of the eight would NOT be discussed by the Cardinals during Vatican II. The three included the Commission on Population, Family and Birth-rate, the Commission on the Celibacy of Priests which was expanded to include defining the pastoral role of priests, and the Commission on Reforming the Curia. The other five were set aside by the Cardinals during a work session because of time - they had agreed to a conclave lasting three years and they had to cut some of the work to meet the time limits and so of the original 16 commissions the agreement was to address half.
Now we have the Vatican saying, the Commission on Population, Family and Birth-rate was stacked and other attacks are being made to minimize the conclusions of the three Commissions that the Pope and the conservative members of the Curia find as too forward -
Much of the politics between the nuns and the Vatican is tied to the more liberal views of most of the Cardinals during Vatican II versus, the conservative views of a lessor number but politically powerful in the Curia who are trying to regain control.
What is amazing is that the Pope was one of the youngest of the clergy to assist and have responsibilities during the Conclave of Vatican II. He was the Theology advisor to the most liberal of all the Cardinals from the Alpine group. The Alpine group were mostly German Cardinals who had very forward and what others would label as liberal views and they voted as a block. Now Pope Benedict is turning his back on everything he stood for and advised Cardinal Joseph Frings, Archbishop of Cologne.
Many of the priests and nuns were expecting the changes recommended by the 70 plus members of the Commission that agreed to the use of contraception and when Pope Paul kept the commission's findings from the Vatican II Council they became discouraged - here is one story written by the wife of the American couple on the Commission -
http://www.amazon.com/Turning-Point-Control-Commission-Humanae/dp/0824514580
This is one of the better books describing without political leanings What Happened at Vatican II
http://www.amazon.com/What-Happened-at-Vatican-II/dp/0674047494/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345477893&sr=1-1&keywords=what+happened+at+vatican+ii+by+john+o%27malley+s.j
-
Thanks for that information, BARB. I have only the vaguest idea of doings of Vatican II;
mostly simply that they were major reforms. I'm not surprised that the diehards haven't
eased their position; it is a hallmark of the breed.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I tried Kate Morton, but just could not get into it. I have put it aside to try again later.. My TBR pile gets larger by the day up here. A lot of teeny little used book stores and they generally have a lot of older stuff that I want to reread.
John Grisham.. I stopped reading him several years ago, but with all of the compliments on The Litagators.. Hmm, I may give it a shot.
-
Thank you, Barbara. That was extremely interesting and informative.
-
I must have picked up, read a few pages and put down six books yesterday. Picky picky picky. I finally found one to start. Mark Haddon "A Spot of Bother" I had read his first book and loved it.This one starts a bit odd, but I think it will work..
-
Good luck with the book, STEPH. I know how frustrating it can be when one gets into a humor
where nothing attracts or interests. Such a drag. :P
-
I find that happens to me often, at least ever since my husband passed away. I just can't get interested. Truthfully I spend most of my time watching movies or being on the computer.
-
Steph.
Like you, can't get into a book this week. Got 3 from library Saturday. One being Sue Crafton. V for vengence and the other "Half stitched Quilting Club by Wanda Brunstetter. This I have sort of stayed with but not that good. Went yesterday got a couple of others. Think they all will go back today and will try again.
Seems like I am not finding my older favourite writers any more and some new ones are just awful.
-
I have finished Marrying Mozart by Stephanie Cowell. I enjoyed it. Cowell appears to do good research for her historical fiction and at the end of the book explains who and what is real and with what she took some liberties. She, unobtrusively, includes info about living conditions, dress, food, scenes of Vienna, etc as she tells the story. The book focuses on the Weber family, a father who is a musician, music copier and organizer of Thursday night music soirees in their home. His wife is a shrew with lots of secrets that she covers with aggression to her husband and their four dgts.
Mozart appears one Thursday and continues to be connected to the family, mostly thru the dgts for the rest of his life, marrying one of them. The narrative comes mostly from Sophie, the youngest dgt who is being interviewed by an English writer intermittenly thruout the book, moving the story along.
If you are familiar w/ Mozart's music, (i'm not particularly, i love to listen to it, but seldom know the name of the piece i'm listening to) you may get an extra bonus by knowing the pieces that are mentioned in the book. I enjoyed it even though i ddn't know the music.
Jean
-
Well you just solved that for me Jean - I usually play my CDs in the afternoon and decided because of reading your post to put on the collection of Mozart's Piano Concertos - I've got the Birenbaum collection - great to listen to if you are reading or writing especially poetry since the rhythm and timing carries a written phrase better than most music.
There is a movie about Mozart's sister that I have never seen and saw available on Amazon - we forget she was gifted with her own music - not sure if she is not well known because her music did not compare or because as a women she was dismissed.
Have you heard any of these women composers from the Romantic era
http://www.leonarda.com/composers/comp353b.html
Or how about any of these women that on the last page - page four includes some recent women composers of some well known movies.
http://www.leonarda.com/composers/comp353b.html
Even I have to admit I do not own any CDs with the work of any of these women - yes, some Hildagard Von Bingen and Francesca Caccini but you have to really be in a certain mood to listen to their music. hmmm did not pay attention to how little I support women composers.
-
Clara Schumann is the only name I knew in that last link. And I knew almost nothing about her.
Sad. You know, I don't really miss the noise, and the poor communication is annoying but not
insurmountable. But not being able to hear the music and all the new wonderful voices is a
real source of regret.
-
I loved the first book he wrote, but this second one is not holding my interest. The main character is seriously whiny and I dislike whining.. However I dug deeper and found a science fiction.. ONe of the Alleluia series and it is instantly interesting. Hooray.
-
Is that Daniel Barenboim, that you're referring to, Barb? He was with the Casals Festival more than once when we lived in Puerto Rico, more for conducting than playing the piano. One year he was called home in the middle of the Festival because of the illness of his wife, Jacqueline de Pre. There was later a movie about them and her sister -- Jacqueline and Hilary or Hilary and Jacqueline.
This week I started Charlotte Rogan's The Lifeboat which had been on hold at the library. Bad timing because I had just finished Michael Ondaatje's Cat's Table, about a three-week ocean crossing, kind of "meet the passengers" plot. Likewise The LIfeboat which I would be enjoying more if I hadn't just got off the ship. Likewise a 21-day "cruise" with chapter headings like Day One, Day Six, at least 39 passengers, but we know they don't all make it.
-
Whoops - yes!
-
The film about Jacqueline du Pre is called 'Hilary and Jackie', starring the truly wonderful actresses Emily Watson (Jackie) and Rachel Griffiths (Hilary). Celia Imrie (also a very good actress) plays their rather pushy mother.
It's a brilliant film, IMO, and does show that although Jackie was a genius, she was also a very difficult woman, even in her youth - she made terrible demands on Hilary (who was herself a very gifted musician), even insisting on sleeping with her husband at one point. (According to the film, he didn't want to but Hilary persuaded him just to keep Jackie happy.)
Shortly after the film came out (years ago now) I heard the real Hilary, and also their brother, being interviewed on Woman's Hour. Hilary didn't sound bitter at all, and they were both very pleased with how Watson and Griffiths had played the parts. There's a book - I think Hilary and the brother (of course I can't remember his name ::)) wrote it - Anna has it somewhere, I'll have a look.
Rosemary
-
F
Sleep with my husband, not likely unless you care to be cut off from my life.This excuse of genius for incredibly bad behavior drives me nuts. Does anyone else remember when we read the biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay, a favorite poet of mine. After the discussion was over, I realized that even though I love her poetry, she was a throughly horrible person.. Oh well.
-
Again, Steph, you and I are on precisely the same page and you have just said it for both of us.
-
The private lives of many are so often filled with behavior we could hardly imagine so when it is made public it gets the tabloid treatment or at least a way for us to pull down their shiny star of excellence - it is as if we must pull off Santa Clause's beard - strange -
While we are gossiping how many think there is more to Harry's activities in Nevada - my gut says he is just 'stick you tongue out getting back' when he thinks his brother is being unfairly treated - his high jinx happened right after the Olympics - did you notice the last day he and Catherine were present, very formal and looking very un-animated to the point of looking dour and unhappy talking at times to other dignitaries but not sharing any brother-in-law / sister-in-law time as they did during their earlier attendance -
Prince William was noticeably not present. What do you want to bet that William was told his unabashed excitement wrapping his arms around his young wife so that even her skin showed below her shirt was not appropriate for a future King and he was given another duty so that Kate and Harry were to represent the crown at the closing ceremonies and Harry decides to embarrass far more than a little of Kate's middle being exposed while taking the attention off his brother's public show of intimacy.
-
That is a bit of a stretch for my imagination.
And I DID see Catharine and Harry exchanging some animated conversation during the closing Olympics.
I thought probably that (1) William was unwell or (2) he was on duty with his regiment. He IS still an active duty Army officer.
Admittedly, Harry had such a glum look for a bit during those closing ceremonies that I wondered if he had just broken up with his girlfriend. But it could be he had just heard about the Vegas photos? Or did that come after? I know we did not hear about them until after, but I cannot recall the difference in dates.
Whatever, I think Harry will be fine in the long run and that William and his Catharine will live happily ever afterwards and reign over the Commonwealth at some point in the future when I am long gone and unaware.
-
In case anyone was wondering, I totally agree with you Steph - the adult Jackie came across as a spoilt, demanding child and I felt that her long suffering sister was just too good for her. At the end of J's life, Barenboim had set up home with another woman in Paris, and it was Hilary who cared for her until she died, even spoon feeding her when she could no longer do anything for herself.
Rosemary
-
Just could not find the "Jackie and Hilary" book in library. Will ask them to get it. Sounds interesting.
-
Jeanne, this is it:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hilary-Jackie-du-Pre/dp/0345432711/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345874456&sr=1-1
Rosemary
-
Harry,, my opinion is that he is the child of Diana and she came from a wild wild family.. He has an Uncle who can make anyone blush and run away..The Spencers had too much money and power and were thoroughly spoiled. But it is stupid that he trusted someone and whoever that was deserves to go.. If it was a camera n the suite, then that hotel needs to be outed. What he did was dumb, not illegal and not at home..
-
I think that what each and every one of us must make ourselves acutely aware of in these times is that cameras can be following us at any time. In fact, in Great Britain and many other places, including New York City, THEY ARE! Following us. Everywhere we go!
And people with tiny little cell phones in their pockets or pocket books can not only take photos, they can take VIDEOS!
Now, I do not go out much anymore, so I do not give the cameras much of a treat. When I do go out, I do not shoplift, so the monitors are not interested in me. They may be interested in some of the babes prancing around and about, but my Babe days are long since over and gone.
But seriously, every Tom, Dick and Harry; Jill, Peggy and Emma, outside of their own front door SHOULD behave as if a camera were on them, for it well may be that one or more is.
I have never been a famous person. Well, you know that. But a FAMOUS person should be even MORE aware and on guard. Harry needs a good talking to. I think he is a good person, but just not on guard enough.
-
He's 28! And an indulged, spoiled 28! I think he would be great fun to have as a friend, but, yes, he needs to learn there are cameras EVERYWHERE. Hasn't every "spare heir" been overthetop at times? Margaret certainly had her highs and lows. ;D
Jean
-
Mary Page I hear you - I get the impression the young folks today are so used to the camera as being a constant companion that as we do not think twice about wearing shoes but still think we have some control when we see something or someone in public they see the camera like another pair of shoes - the camera is there and some forget about it while others use it to as a personal spotlight -
The young have always acted to outrage the older generation - in the 50s it was how they dressed - in the 60s it was what they were smoking - on and on and now sexual display seems to be the latest with boobs on display and nudity as normal as long hair was in 1960 - Harry may be a Royal but that I think is the only reason the press chomps on these photos - the press knows it can outrage the older generation and cause a titter among the young. Girls are thrilled and guys are envious.
Heck they even admit that Masterpiece Theater received an enormous boost in the number of viewers when Colin Firth walks from his swim with his shirt plastered on his chest that gave a veiled glimpse of what was under that shirt. That version of Pride and Prejudice was 17 years ago - the world has moved on and kids that were 5 years old, too young to stay up to watch Masterpiece in 1995 are now in the early 20s in a whole new world with little privacy. I think they are not careful because as you say cameras are so prolific and to them they are simply like a pair of shoes that get changed out every so often for a newer model.
-
Rosemary.
When I get back off Vacation I will ask the Library to find that book and DVD for me. I just don't want to start buying books anymore. Took me ages to clean off my shelves. Nice to be able to just return to library.
-
Silly, but I have such a great need to be surrounded by books.. They keep me peaceful. I honestly believe I could not survive without lots of books. I use my IPAD and love it, but oh I would so much rather have a good newspaper or two and there are really none any more that are good.
-
Me, too, Steph. Me, too.
Or to say it properly: I also.
-
I think I have said this before. I would rather give up. TV, Computers, Movies etc. before I would give up reading books or going to libraries
I think I got my first library card at age 4 and have never been without a current on.
Now news papers. I still get them daily but go through them much faster these days. Magazines I gave up years ago.
-
How is this for being surrounded by books, Steph. Found on Nat Geo's photo site.
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/myshot/jigsaw-puzzles#/recently-added/287134/1438107/
-
Today I just felt like sitting and reading. Picked a book by a author that I had not read before. Luanne Rice. "Little Night". I read the whole book. Enjoyed it. Will look for her books again
-
Welll my Book club is getting ready to dissect Anna Karenina in
September. To my surprise,several have already given me feedbck that they liked it. Ominously, dead silence from the others. I plan a discuaaion based on the themes rather than the plot; Family, Religion, Love, Jealously, Society, Hypocrosy, Pride, Compassion and forgiveness. For me on the 4th readign in twenty years, there wwere more discoveries. Now I would love to find a biography of Tostly that is not a dry tome, something compact. Anybody know of one?
Also just finished a nnofiction work by Laura Hillenbrand: Unbroken, about the prisoners of the Japanese in WW!!. Took her seven years of research and writing. she is confined to bed with some immune disorder, and this is an amazing achievment. I would recommend it as a book that apeals to men as well as women.
There are two books that I have wanted to mention here, that have "haunted" me, keep surfacing in my memory. One is a rather obscure novel by a Hungarian author of the twenties, Sandor Marosz. it is called "Embers " and takes place in the waning days of the Hapsburg empire.
The other is Annie Dunne, by an Irish author whose name escapes me. It is number 2 in a trilogy that takes place in rural Ireland. Has anyone read either? What it is it about some books that have a mysteriouls power to stay in your memory long after you are done reading? do you have one liike that?
-
FRYBABE, I think I was more stunned than anything by that picture. It was a little like walking
into an area that had been hit by a hurricane. Where does one begin? I think I'd turn and walk
away. Maybe come back when they were a bit more accessible.
I'd have to give that question more thought, BELLE. I do know there are books that made a
lasting impact. "Cry, the Beloved Country" and "Glass House of Prejudice" opened my eyes
in a major way. "Dune" was probably the book that gave me a lifelong love of good sci-fi/
fantasy. One that 'haunts' me? Nothing comes to mind just now, so if there is such a haunt
it must be elsewhere. :)
-
Oh,, that many books in one place. Just bring in a bed and room service and I could stay forever.
Books that haunt me.. Two obscure ones.. The Cheerleader by Ruth Doan McDougal, because she so perfectly described me in high school It was and is eerie to read for me.. and another...Banner with a strange Device by Arona McHugh..Boston in the period of my growing up, but a world I had never ever heard or seen before. Still stays with me..
-
JeanneP, I've never read any Luann Rice, but will have to give her a try. The quote below is about one of her earlier books, co-written with Joseph Monniger, whose Eternal on the Water is a favorite of mine. The quote was on my Facebook page.
Happy to report that a paperback version of The Letters is due out tomorrow. I wrote it with Luanne Rice, a writer many of you know well. I think the smaller format suits the novel -- a series of letters back and forth -- and I love the new cover. We're excited!
-
Babi, I believe they made a maze out of the books for a festival. Imagine having enough donated books in one place to make a maze. I went hunting and found are more pix and a better explanation. Money raised went to Oxfam. http://littlelondonobservationist.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/book-maze-at-royal-festival-hall/
and another: http://aboutartanddesign.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/a-books-maze/
-
Amze of books! Now that is intriguing. In fact, what is a better metaphor for ife, than a maze?
Here in Western Mas, eople are ging up to the "Corn Maze" designed by an artist and only viible onde all the stalks are cut. Each year he chooses a work of art to form the maze. This yearit is Millet
s [ainting of The Angelus, a tribute to the farming families of the community. the enitre design can only be viewed from the air, of course, and the little local airport cashes in on sort fligts over the field. Hard to explain, Tha newspaper publises a big photo of it from a helicopter. but it really works.
Now, does th choice of a book that haunts or "stays with us" say more aoubt the book or more about us indiviudally?
My current fiction book is "Sense of an Ending" by Julian Barnes, a favorite author. This book is maybe a little too philosoical for me, will let you know. My current nonfiction book is "Boomereang" by Michael Lewis about the gobal economic crisis. I lack a real understanding of the world of high finance, but he makes it at least readable. Shows how, in each country's financial crisis - Breece, Ireland, etc. the national character is reflected by the acitons of the leaders. that is amusing, but maybe takes the stereotype too far.
-
Oh,, that many books in one place. Just bring in a bed and room service and I could stay forever.
Books that haunt me.. Two obscure ones.. The Cheerleader by Ruth Doan McDougal, because she so perfectly described me in high school It was and is eerie to read for me.. and another...Banner with a strange Device by Arona McHugh..Boston in the period of my growing up, but a world I had never ever heard or seen before. Still stays with me..
Banner with a strange Device by Arona McHugh, geez, Steph. I did not think there was another person who had read Arona McHugh, and "Banner". I stil have that book. Guess I need to re-read it now that you've mentioned it. Are we a club of two? Didn't McHugh write another not too long after? While we have touched on this subject, (books that we thought no one else had read) did you ever read "Five Smooth Stones"? I loved that book, still have it too.
-
The Dollmaker by Harriet Arnow and Prince ofTides by Pat Conroy are twobooks that stay w/ me. The Dollmaker is the story of an Appalachian woman before and during WWII, when her family moves to a northern city for work. The writing is superb and the dialect writing lets the reader "hear" it. Jane Fonda produced a tv show and played the lead in the 80s. I thought it was great nd their are scenes in the book that stay w/ me.
Prince of Tides is also superbly written and has some very haunting scenes. It's the story of a family's growing up and the impact of their behaviors on each other. It's another one of those South Carolina based stories and typically Pat Conroy.
Jean
-
Yes, there was a second book about the same people by Arona McHugh.. I have both in paperback, falling apart and taped together. I also loved The Dollmaker for the life described was so very foreign to me.
I am reading Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan..It is breathtaking and hardto read. The teenage daughter has simply vanished.. He is good at making you look at a situation that is so heartbreaking and watch the people carry on..
-
I loved that view in the second link, FRYBABE, looking down on the maze. Surprisingly lovely
in it's curved blend on colors on tha beautiful floor. Whoever designed that did a great job.
Actually, TOME, I've read both of those books, long time ago. I don't remember much about
"Banner..", but "Five Smooth Stones" was disturbing. Beautifully written, tho'.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Whew, I hope no one spots a book in the maze that he wants to read, and then tries to pull it out. But the maze is a neat idea. Impressive.
Steph, I finished O'Nan's Songs for the Missing not too long ago. It was a difficult book to read, but surprisingly I didn't find it depressing as I have with some titles dealing with tragedy or loss of hope.
Bellemere -- MIchael Lewis -- the Moneyball man. I admire you for tackling the Boomerang. It sounds like a lot to digest, let alone understand. I just finished glancing at some Amazon reviews. Many say it is from articles he has written for Vanity Fair and much is available there online. But no doubt the book ties it together.
-
Ann Fairbarn wrote Five Smooth Stones as I recal..Another book that resonated was Marjorie Morningstar..Everyone had a Noel somewhere in their lives.
-
Kate Morton has a brand new book out: The Secret Keeper.
-
I'm almost finished w/ Benton-Franks book Folly Beach. Typical Frank book! Set in SC, of course, about a woman who has long ago stopped loving a strange husband. As the book begins he has committed suicide and she finds he has mortgaged everything they owned. That sounds very gruesome but the book is not dark. It is real and funny and maybe too optimistic......as she returns from NJ to Folly Beach, to live w/ an aunt who raised her and the aunt's partner, she immediately runs into - literally - a very nice male college professor....their story is over-the-top for me. i think the story could have proceeded very nicely if the had remained good friends, Having similar interests, not necessarily becoming lovers.....but the book is enjoyable, nevertheless.
It has a side story of George Gershwin and a couple who lived on Folly Beach who helped GG write Porgy and Bess. That was new info to me and i found it interesting. It is a factor in Cate and college prof's shared interest. Cate, the protagonist, ends up living in a cottage where the GG's collaborators lived.
Jean
-
Someone helping Gershwin.. who was not a notably friendly man.. hmm. Wonder how to check that one out.
-
Apparently the Gershwins did collaborate with others...from a quick google and this Library of Congress website:
http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9809/gershwin.html
"that written by George and Ira together, as well as songs composed by George and Ira with other collaborators, and George's concert pieces."
and later in the article apparently a lot of Porgy and Bess material is at the Lib. of Congress:
"...In the course of the next eight years, Leonore Gershwin sustained and expanded her husband's efforts on behalf of the collection and the Library. In 1987 she donated the remainder of the music manuscripts and lyric sheets from their home; on a number of occasions she, too, purchased music manuscripts and correspondence for the collection. Since her death, her very generous bequest has enabled the Library to acquire additional materials, including the files relating to Porgy and Bess from the archives of the Theatre Guild."
It would probably take some digging, but there's probably more info out there on the 'net.
And there's the thought that people could say they collaborated with a great author/composer/whatever and never received their due credit for it. Whether that was true or not could be very hard to both prove and disprove.
jane
-
Frank gave a number of resources at the end of her book to substaniate the general idea of the Heywards collaborating w/ GG.
Here is the frst paragraph of a wiki site on Dubose Heyward
Edwin DuBose Heyward (August 31, 1885 – June 16, 1940)[1][2] was an American author best known for his 1925 novel Porgy. This novel was adapted and produced in 1927 as a play by the same name (which he co-authored with his wife Dorothy) and, in turn, the opera Porgy and Bess (1935) with music by George Gershwin. It was also adapted as a film by the opera's name, released in 1959. Heyward also wrote poetry and other novels and plays, as well as the children's book The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes (1939).
Frank implies that Dorothy did a lot more work than she was credited w/, by her own manipulation of the importance of Dubose.
Jean
-
Ah ha,, you found what I did..And I did remember while reading that I had read about Hayward before. I love Porgy and Bess and must have seen it a dozen times in my life.Some good, some bad and a few absolutely glorious.
-
I have just started reading 'The Secret Life of Bees' - so far I'm really enjoying it, love all the little details of Southern life (though of course have no idea how accurate it is.)
The other book I am supposed to read for the library is 'The 5 People You Meet In Heaven' - and even from reading the back cover, I feel that this is not going to be the book for me - has anyone else read it?
I've also got 3 new books to review, plus a pile of books I've recklessly borrowed from the library - and I have my mother staying all next week, during which reading time will be virtually non-existent. I must be certifiable.
Rosemary
-
Rosemary, join the crowd! :D i'm sure we have all felt that way at one time or another, leaving the library w/ far more books than we can possibly read in the time allowed. But what a delicious psychosis!
I've just finished Good Harbor by Anita Diamant who wrote The Red Tent. I didn't read Red Tent, but liked this book very much. Altho when i began it i wasn't sure about reading it just now. My SIL was just diagnosed w/ pancreatic cancer and this book starts w/ a woman's new diagnosis of breast cancer.......... Wasn't sure i wanted to go there, however, it turned out to be as much about two women of different generations becoming friends, as about the breast cancer. Her dialogue is just delightful, i could feel the younger woman's influence on loosening up the older woman. Each woman's individual story centered around their families was quite real also.
Jean
-
Several years back Jean when we were SeniorNet we read The Red Tent - what an eye opener it was for many of us - it was such a great conversation that the book and what we learned stayed with me for years. In The Red Tent the focus is on women and how two Jewish tribes either revered or controlled women. The story suggests the start of how through history we experience the Patriarchal control of woman. I could see how in another book Anita Diamant would bring out the relationship between women which is a strong feature of this earlier book The Red Tent.
-
I'll have to read Red Tent, Barbara, sounds like something i'd like. Thanks for the summary. I wonder if the Senior Net discussions are available in an archive, i'd like to read what you all had to say. I'll have to look for it.
-
Thanks, Barbara, for your review of The Red Tent. I'd never thought I'd like this as I'm not one to read bible stories. But your review made it sound interesting, and I've put it on my reading list.
Marj
-
I'm finally getting around to reading UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand (Seabisuit). Can't put it down. It's a true story of a young man who is drafted in WW2 just as he was about to run in his second Olympics race. He becomes a bombardier and he and his crew crash over the Pacific Ocean. Three survive in a raft and eventually land 2,000 miles from where they crashed, on an island occupied by the Japanese. Very interesting how this man and others are able to overcome the awful obstacles they endured on the raft in the middle of the Pacific and during capture, while others are just the opposite and succumb to depression. Not a "goody-goody" type story, just so interesting. You also get a real taste of what the war was like for those who had to fight it. One of the best stories I've read so far this year.
-
Here is what I have as a link in my old bookmarks - several reading with us and helping to move things along as discussion leaders have passed on and then others never did make the switch from SeniorNet
http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/archives/fiction/RedTent.htm
-
Thank you Barb, i'll enjoy reading that.
Jean
-
ROSEMARY, I read and very much enjoyed "The Secret Life of Bees". I didn't read the
other book, tho' I did see a movie based on it which really didn't make a whole lot of
sense to me. I'll be interested in your take on the book.
Pretty much the same with JEAN. I read "The Red Tent" years ago...I assume it's the
same book...but haven't read "Good Harbor". Did your 'Red Tent" refer to the tent the
women the early Biblical culture retired to during their menses? I could definitely
relate to the idea that the enforced withdrawal was a welcome 'time-off' for most of them.
-
I read Red Tent some years ago, but had not even heard of the other one.. Five things.. not my cup of tea, so I have not read it.
I think somone just mentioned Stewart O'Nan.. Yes, his books sound grim on the surface, but they hold your interest. They are really about survival.. and hanging on.. I loved every single one I have read.
-
I've finished reading "Mr. Pip" by New Zealand author Lloyd Jones. I found the book serendipitously after reading Great Expectations with a group here on SeniorLearn. The book is set during the 1990's civil war on Bougainville Island, the main island of the now autonomous region of Bougainville of Papua New Guinea.
It's a wonderful book, told through the eyes of a girl on the island who develops a connection with Charles Dicken's character, Pip, from the last white man on the island, who reads the book, Great Expectations, with the children. The horrors of the civil war are depicted in sections of the book, though it is uplifting, despite the violence. I just found out that there has been a film made of the book this year, which stars Hugh Laurie (of HOUSE fame).
-
Didn't the mother die protecting her daughter in Mr Pip - or was it Mr. Watts himself - it's been awhile and so I forget the details but it was a good book and the ending knowing Mr. Watts made a huge difference where education was not valued and the girl/student became a successful adult was the kind of ending we wish - I remember it was one of the 5 finalists for the Booker because that was the year I decided to read all 5 finalists - that was the year that The Gathering won the award.
-
I adored THE RED TENT. It was one of my all time favorite books, albeit of course I have reached that age where I cannot remember the names of all of my all time favorites. But honestly, this was one.
Years later, when you mention that book, I find I have two ways in which it impacted my knowledge of ancient history. One, of course, was her portrayal of the way the women of the tribe were required to be set aside during their periods. No matter their age, if they were menstruating, they had to live in The Red Tent, with no men nearby to become contaminated by them! Weird, but true! Diamant, of course, wove a lot of imagination into her story, but the basic premise was truly the way things were.
The other was the beautiful Biblical story of Leah and Rachel and how Jacob yearned for Rachel and fulfilled his contract to win her. And how the women he was married to or had as concubines (totally permitted and encouraged back then) got along with one another as a family grouping. And how it was with their children.
Oh, I do think almost every woman alive would love this book.
-
Marcie, I'm delighted to hear that there will be a film version of Mr. Pip. I really liked the book, which was shortlisted for the Booker prize in 2007, and also won the Commonwealth Prize for that year as the best book in Southeast Asia.
Mr. Pip film (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/movies/news/article.cfm?c_id=200&objectid=10832872)
The role of the girl is played by a Bougainville teenager, and the role of her mother, actually played by her mother, a doctor in Bougainville.
When I read a book like this it makes me think about how little I know about what goes on in the rest of world, how little aware I am of the suffering of many in other parts of the world. Bougainville -- did I even have a clue to where it was?
I haven't read The Red Tent, but Jean's review of the Good Harbor has promted me to put it on my TBR list. I'm sorry to hear about your SIL, Jean.
-
Interesting the different takes on The Red Tent...
-
pedln, I had a similar reaction to MR PIP. I didn't have a clue about the location or the civil war in that area. It is a very moving book. How interesting that the mother and daughter are played by actual mother and daughter in the film.
-
Mr.Pip is something I have not read, but not sure I will..Dislike stories that include war.. I simply cannot deal with war rationally.
-
Hugh Laurie, a little girl & 'Pip'. That's a move I'll want to see, MARCIE. Unfortunately, a quick check of Netflix reveals
they do not have it. It's a New Zealand film. Maybe Netflix will acquire it later on.
-
Babi, I understand that the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last week (where the audience gave it a standing ovation). I don't think it's been promoted yet in the U.S. I would think that having Hugh Laurie in the film would make it interesting to many in the United States.
-
I agree, MARCIE. I would think there would be a demand for it here, and I'm hoping we'll see it in the States
soon.
-
I suspect that Hugh Laurie will bring in the people, so look for it in the theatres. How come they are showing a really really prejudiced movie about Obama in the regular movies. They are also promoting it on Facebook.. Sigh.. There is way too much money being thrown into this election. We simply must get this unlimited money eliminated somehow. know... that the pols wont do it.They do love money.
-
Steph, I'm reading Watergate by Thomas Mallon, an historical novel about the Watergate breakin. (The list of characters is four pages long.)
Regarding money, I found it interesting to read last night the writer Joseph Alsop telling his second cousin Alice Roosevelt Longworth that he had just written a campaign check for $49 because that was the most an individual could give without identifying himself.
-
I made a solemn vow not to buy one single book written by any of the Watergateprincipals, but this one isnt, so I may look for it. I find it amazing that they were so stupid..
I wish we could go back to contributions being publicized and who gave them.. Might stop this nonsense.. There are way too many rich old men who adore conservative things who are throwing money left and right.
-
I can't see reading a novel about Watergate when so many interesting nonfiction books have been written about it, and having lived thru' the whole thing. I remember a friend and I were in San Francisco on vacation when we heard that Nixon had resigned. We were so happy we went to our hotel bar to celebrate with a drink, and everyone there was also deliriously drinking to his resignation.
Marj
-
It is not fiction, but while we are mentioning propaganda, politics, and so on and on, I am reading a very much NON political book of History that reads like a fascinating novel and every word carefully checked and rechecked and the authors do not have an agenda. The beauty of this book it that it makes me feel GREAT about how well our country works sometimes and optimistic that we can get there once again:
I swear, no propaganda for any faction:
THE PRESIDENT'S CLUB, Inside The World's Most Exclusive Fraternity by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy.
I love it, and I think you will. Sincerely.
-
MaryPage, a group here on SeniorLearn is in the middle of discussing The Presidents' Club this month. It is a terrific book!
-
I just started Cloud Atlas on my Nook, and I think I have a wild tiger by the tail here. Has anyone read it? I understand it is also a movie , with Tom Hanks and Hugh Grant, my favorite english cad playing a painted cannibal. the first part takes place in the
chatham Islands off New Zealand, so I am getting to know the history of a part of the world terra incognitaa to me. Beautriful writing a, so I am liking it. Bur wondering where he is going to end up.
-
The thoroughly English Hugh Grant playing a painted cannibal? I can't imagine it. I've never heard of "Cloud Atlas",
which is surprising considering the popularity of the stars. Please let us know, BELLE, when you have some idea of
'where it's going'. I'm definitely interested.
-
Cloud Atlas, the film, is to be released the end of October. According to Wikipedia, is was shown at the 37th Toronto International Film Festival on September 9 and got a 10 minute standing ovation. Other actors whose names I recognize are Hugo Weaving, Halle Barry, Susan Sarandon, and Keith David. The names Jim Broadbent and Ben Whishaw sound familiar, but I don't know from where.
Ah, found a trailer for the film: http://cloudatlas.warnerbros.com/ At the top you will see menu. Mouse over it and can go to the video clips, etc. I don't know about book, but I definitely want to see the movie. It looks awesome.
-
Thanks, FRYBABE. Me, too!
-
I could not get the Warner Bros. link to open but I did find this 5 minute trailer on YouTube - yes, it looks like a must see movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWnAqFyaQ5s
-
That's great Barb. It is the same extended trailer that is one the movie website.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
The first chapter of Cloud Atlas was striking a memory chord, and sure enough, it is by the same auther , David Mitchell, of "The Thousand Autum,ns of Jacob de Zoet"l I read this also on my Nood a yerar or so ago. Both books deal with the culture clash btween colonists from European and American merchants and missionaries encountering the Pacific nations, long closed to the Western influences. thousand Autuimns took place in Nagasaki,Japan, with a Dutch protaonist keeping a journal: Cloud Atlas starts with an Amerian doing the same in the South Pacific. Mitchell weaves in a lot of fascinating history and "Thousand Autmuns" had a poignant love story. I recommend it hghly.
A review of Cloud Atlas in the NY
T almost put me of; calls it "over reachins" and needlessly complicated. According to the reiveiw, this first story is only one of SIX plots the author juggles and intertwines across continents and centuries. Because I liked Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet" I am game to try this.
So, so good.
I,Too, cannot imagine the movei with Hugh GRant as a cannibal. although my actress DIL met him during her time at the BBC, at a cast party and he was stealing food off her plate! A cad, indeed! But adorable nevertheless.
-
Cautious nowadays.. I will wait until the movie is closer and then see.. I really will not watch anythng violent .. just cannot
-
Me too, Steph.
-
the book describes the violent history of the Maori, but in the word of a bistorian character .
-
Ok bellemere this may have been a typo but I cannot find a definition for bistorian HElp!!!
-
It's bistRorian: one who studies bistros. I've done a bit of that myself. :D
-
Oh, that is too funny! I would love to be a bistorian! Score another one for macular degeneration!
-
:-* ;)
-
Oh I am signing up to become one.. Sounds like my kind of hobby.
-
And I will be a tea shoporian (or a scone-ologist..) :)
-
Y'all have fun! ;D
Oh, yes...I've started reading Suzanne Collins "Hunger Games" and find it very well written. I'll probably read the
entire trilogy in time.
-
:D I think rather than eating or drinking tea I would be better described as an embarcaderorian - since I seem to have leaving and landing in and out of the house down to a science... ;)
-
RosemaryK, I would love to be a scone-ologist! It's one of my favorite things to make. I made scones for my f2f book group one night! A big hit! If I made them whenever I thought about them, I would weight 200+ lbs. Love them with tea or coffee. I usually manage to clip out any scone recipes I find, but rarely make a new recipe, just revert to the old one!
-
Me too - make them all the time. I eat them instead of breakfast or lunch, otherwise I too would be the size of a house. I have one or two favourite recipes, and they're not bad - but I never seem to get them quite as good as some of my favourite cafes. I expect they use a ton of butter - going on a Nick Nairn cookery course many years ago made me realise that the secret of most delicious restaurant cooking is vast amounts of butter, cream, etc - when chefs say 'add a little cream' they mean half the pot, whereas I mean a teaspoonful :D
-
I was sent a copy of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry - has anyone read this?
-
My twin first cousin, as the family always called us because we were born in the same year to brother (my dad) and sister (her mom) and did everything together as a pair from the git go. Except she became an Episcopalian priest and I did not. And she died in 1994 and I did not.
Bea had a parish in New York City and I used to go up several times a year for a long weekend with her and we used to make it our special joy to go to a different place for a High Tea. She had a long list, and we never got to the end of it, albeit it was our plan to do so.
We started, of course, with The Plaza. That was back when it WAS The Plaza Hotel and Eloise was still hung in the lobby and violins and a piano played softly and the tea was scrumptious and plentiful.
We went to the Carlyle Hotel, where High Tea was served in the fantastical Harem Room and we lay on exotic looking chaises and the tea was lucious, but different.
We went to a place over on Hudson Street that was tres Bohemian and every table and every chair was different from every other and they were all antiques. I remember open faced sandwiches to die for and we could not resist going back. In fact, Bea said she often took friends there after we discovered it.
Won't bore you with any more, but I do feel this qualifies me to be one of what Rosemary announced she is. N'est pas?
-
nlhome, I am currently reading the "Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" and enjoying it. A lot of it touches very close to home, as far as feelings/thoughts I have had in past. A good book.
-
Thanks, I'll put it next on my list. Right now I'm reading Louise's War by Sarah Shaber. It's set during WWII in the area of Washington D.C. that my husband spent over 2 years living and working in, and it's interesting to read about streets we walked and buildings we visited, though many years in the past.
-
O.k., i picked up The Red Tent at the library. The first 10 pages were a little confusing, there are so many people and then i had to figure out that she was telling the stories she had heard from all the women in the tent. I'll carry on............
Also reading Clara and Mr Tiffany which is a novel about a woman who works for Louis Tiffany. It has been interesting because it talks about how they design the pictures and stained glass products. Tiffany had all women working in the cutting workshop, but if one got married he wouldn't allow her to keep working. He apparently also has a surprising lightning temper. They just started that discussion.
Jean
-
Oh fun. Sarah Shaber has a small mystery series that I like very much, so will look for the book.
I love high tea and always found a small one somewhere in London when we used to visit so much.. Some of the small teahouse kindof places have wonderful high tea..and clotted cream for the scones.
-
ROSEMARY, one of the compensations of becoming skin and bones, is that I may freely
enjoy all the delicious forbidden 'butter and cream' I like. Of course I can't eat very much,
which is why I'm skin and bones in the first place. :P :-\
-
Jean, I enjoyed Clara and Mr. Tiffany. Some of us read it together here last year. The archived discussion is at http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=2234.0
-
I like Sarah Shaber's mysteries, too. Is Louise's War a mystery? I grew up in D.C. during WWII, and saw it change from a small town to a city.
-
YES, I see Shaber has left the Simon Shaw mysteries that I read (hope she straightened out his love life before she went) and Louise's War is the first in a new series, followed by Louise's Gamble.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/sarah-r-shaber/
C'mon over to Mystery and tell us about it.
-
How did i miss the Clara and Mr Tiffany discussion!?! Huummmm......i'll look for that, thanks Marcie.
-
Thanks, Tomereader, for your recommendation of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. I haven't read it yet but put it on my TBR list. It was longlisted for the Booker Prize, but didn't make the short list. The prize will be announced Oct. 16. I read along with another group that reads all the books nominated. I especially liked The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt.
Speaking of the Booker Prize, I'm reading one from the short list: Hilary Mantel's Bring up the Bodies, the second in her trilogy of Thomas Cromwell, after Wolf Hall. I think Bring Up the Bodies is easier to read than Wolf Hall. She still uses "he" a lot instead of the speaker's name but since Cromwell is the main character, you know she is referring to him.
The only problem I'm having with it is that it's taking me more time than usual to read because I keep looking up on Wikipedia the interesting events and characters referred to. I am amazed that she can transport you back so well to the time of Cromwell and Henry VIII and see how they thought and talked back then. I laughed when someone brought Cromwell a gift of a saint's toenail clippings. Cromwell, skeptical of all the supposed remains of dead saints, thinks to himself he's seen so many of that saint's toenail clippings at various churches, the saint must have had 100 toes. Good book.
Marj
-
Since I loved Sarah Shabers Simon,, I will look for the new series, not that I need any books.. Sigh
Clara and Mr. Tiffany was an interesting book.. She was a fascinating lady in many many ways. and the descriptions of New York at that period were wonderful.
-
Rosemary.
Try to read "Five people meet in Heaven" I enjoyed it. Out on DvD also.
Didn't get to read one page of book while on holiday. Now need to head over to library and get what I have on hold.
-
My knitting is going very very slowly, but I did send for a pictorial guide to knitting. I am better if I can see a picture. I also heard there is a website that shows what is happening from the knitters point of view. Should be interesting.
-
My library re-opens today after two weeks closure to complete renovations. I can't wait to see it...and get some more
books!
-
Steph - youtube has dozens of videos to show you many things about knitting. I too am a visual person and find it very helpful to watch how a stitch or technique is done. Just goggle anything you want to learn.
Jean
-
Sconologists: by accident, I found that one of my helpers has a film on U-tube showing how she makes scones. It's very Anerican-- uses maple syrup instead of sugar. She claims it's healthy because of no sugar (never mind the butter and cream.
She warns me that the amounts of baking soda and baking powder are wrong, (she was nervous and mixed them up) so don't try to follow it.
She's going to make me some next week. If I start complaining that none of my clothes fit, you'll know why.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sABKoFeyL7g
-
Oh yes,, google is fun for the knitting, so is wikihow.com I am soooo slow and still somehow keeping adding stitches.. sigh,, but I am learning.
-
Cute video written and acted by my talented DIL on Youtube:
Search: VonTrapp Family Inn a skit
-
Steph is this the shop where you purchased your knitting yarn and needles? Looks like a nice clean shop - they say they have classes and a knowledgeable staff - I wonder if it would be worth your time to stop in the next time you are in town shopping...
http://www.silverthreadsyarn.com/
-
Cute story, BelleMere. I gather your daughter in law is Rachel Siegel. Great acting, lovely voice, and pretty lady. Is the German accent real or assumed?
-
Rachel's German accent is entirely fake. She has a collection of accents like Sid Cesar.
The criedits included thanks to my son and my grandson.
-
Speaking of my grandson, he is learning to say the Lord's Prayer and likes the part about Give us this day, but he calls it "Turly Bread" and says "Howard be thy name" after is elderly neighbor. I want to bring something up there next week that I can call" Turly Bread" any ideas" I thought perhaps angel food cake, maybe with some crushed pepperming candy stuck on.
-
here you go...
Turley Bread
Submitted by: JMSTOREY
For bread machine
Number of Servings: 16
Ingredients
Whole Wheat Flour, 2.5 cup
Carnation Powdered Milk Nonfat, .1 cup
Salt, 1.5 tsp
Honey, .33 cup
Canola Oil, 1.5 tbsp
Sunflower Seeds, without salt, .25 cup, hulled
Flax Seed, 4 tbsp
Millet, .25 cup
Water, tap, 2 cup (8 fl oz)
Yeast, bakers, 1 ounce
Follow bread machine instructions
-
Amazing!! It actually exists! But I lack a bread machine and the access to all those healthy grains.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Reminds me of some jokes from waaaaaay back when I was a child in Sunday School:
The child who came home from first day in Sunday School to declare a great time and what she liked best was the song they sang about Gladney the Bear.
Puzzled, the mother asked for more words.
You know! Gladney the cross-eyed bear!
-
.....and lead us not into Penn Station.....
I'll go with that!
-
bellemere - thought for your grandson - this is the recipe that is the bread Ezekiel lived off in the desert which with a slight of hand/tongue could be the bread he is hearing about and saying as Turley Bread.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/ezekiel-bread-i/
but rather than make all that there is the company that makes an Ezekiel bread - glutton free etc. - its a bit more expensive than the 2.95 for an Orowheat - it costs anyplace according to where you shop between 3.97 to 4.67 and for taste the raisin is probably more enjoyed by a little guy - for years I got it at Whole Foods and only recently does my local Grocery carry it - it will be stored in the frozen food lockers.
http://www.foodforlife.com/product-catalog/ezekiel-49/breads
-
Yes, it is a truly nice shop and they are so helpful. I have been taking classes here in Country Meadows from a neighbor, since this all started when I admired her neck scarves.. thin lacy and utterly appealing to possibly cover your neck.. So yes, I can takeclasses there and may even do it next summer, but just now, I want to simply learn to knit straightforward...etc. I am a klutz in small motor type stuff.. I learn, but muchmore slowly than I used to.
-
I'm really enjoying Clara and Mr Tiffiny. Thanks again Marcie for the link to the discussion, i'm reading it along w/ my reading of the book. I still can't believe i missed it, but i see it was in May when we were at the beach w/ a lot of company, and in April when you would have been "selling"it, i was teaching a course on the 50s thru the 70s, maybe that explains my missing it.
The resources that you put up were very interesting also: NPR interview w/ Vreeland, the video of the lamps and the site about the book. I must share this w/ my historical fiction loving friends.
Jean
-
I see Pedln and Annie led the dscussion, i guess i need to thank them for the resource links.
-
Thanks for the Turley Bread and other bread recipes. I bet I could find that Ezekiel bread at Whole Foods. But for grandson purposes, just about anything would do.
I did pass on the gluten free tip to my daughter with celiac disease; she is on the diet but says she hasn[t yet found a gouten free bread she can enjoy.
this Cloud Atlas book is something else. It is actually six linked narratives. Sometimes the lind is very tenuous and perhaps that gets cleared up later. Starts with the Maori in New Zealand, zips to Belgium in 1931; then to California in the 40's , then to
England in contemporary times, then goes all Margaret Atwood-y with a futuristic society ofhuman clones enslaved to humans born the regular way, God knows wha next. I have read that he tells each story like this: 1,2,3,4,5,6,5,4,3,2,1 So I guess we end up back in New Zealand. But I am enjoyng
david Mitchell's wonderful writing, so the eccentric structure doesn't bother me to much.
-
I loved Clara..She had such great spirit.. Since I live close to the Tiffany Museum, I made a special trip over to look at the stuff she mentions in the story. Great fun and I see what she meant.
Cloud sounds a bit more avant garde than I like, so will skip.
-
Yes, I think avant garde pretty much describes Cloud Atlas. But I need a little stretsh once in a while. My next project is to reread some of my great Graham Greene books acquired over the years and pick one for my bext Book Club recommendation.,,By the way , all but twomembers liked AK and we had a fantastic discussion of family, class and society, aompasstion and forgiveness, jealousy, love, and faith. One member wished we had devoted two nights to discuiion.
-
I do not understand how, in the book, clones can be told apart from people born the regular way, unless they are branded at birth or it appears on their ID cards or something. As of now, all clones must be inserted into a uterus and gestated for the usual 9 months and then be given birth to in the normal way. They look and are precisely like you and me. Twins are clones of one another. And, like identical twins, clones would each have their own distinct personality.
I have been told by a dear friend that the book blowing her mind at present is Emily Alone: A Novel, by Stewart O'Nan. This is the author of Wish You Were Here and Last Night At The Lobster. She says it is downright eerie how he knows how an 86 year old woman spends her days! (My friend is 86.)
-
Clones. I have heard of dogs and cats being cloned but never a human.
I could have missed the news or is that a fiction book? Would be many people wanting it done. The day will come.
My granddaughter had twins last year. I was just visiting and even though they look alike their personalities are so different
-
As far as the record told the public goes, no human (other than identical twins, which is not done on purpose) has been cloned; but it may well have happened and been kept secret. No biggie, so far as the doing is concerned. You want an identical twin, albeit much younger than yourself? It can be done, but last I heard or read, and I have not kept up with it for some years now, only females could be cloned. Something may have developed that makes that no longer so.
But as of now, the image of armies of tens of thousands of cloned men, all identical and raring to kill or die?
No way, Jose. All clones must spend 9 months in some woman's womb and be born. You are not going to be able to impregnate tens of thousands of willing women and then, what? Take their babies from them at birth? Have them raise them and then collect them all at age 18? And, as I said, unless things have changed, your army must be all female.
The bad part, the sad part, is that millions upon millions of people really, really believe clones are a threat to the human race!
http://io9.com/5215921/scientists-discover-all+female-ant-species-that-reproduces-by-cloning
-
I love Stewart O'Nan and will look for the book to see what is coming for me..I have read most of his books . Some of them are truly remarkable in how he looks at things.
-
Interesting information Marypage. I haven't kept up with the "clone wars". The info just brings up my question, again, why do men think (and women often let them) they are superior to women?
-
Frybabe wrote, "The info just brings up my question, again, why do men think (and women often let them) they are superior to women?"
I don't think this is true any more after the feminine revolution of the 1960s and 70s, do you?.
All this talk about clones reminded me of the novel THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL by Ira Levin (Rosemary's Baby), where Josef Mengele, living in Paraguay, has hatched an evil plot to revive the Third Reich. He has cloned Hitler 94 times using young mothers and older fathers, the same as Hitler's family. Made into a 1978 movie with Gregory Peck and Laurence Olivier.
Marj
-
Yes, I think avant garde pretty much describes Cloud Atlas. But I need a little stretsh once in a while. My next project is to reread some of my great Graham Greene books acquired over the years and pick one for my bext Book Club recommendation.,,By the way , all but twomembers liked AK and we had a fantastic discussion of family, class and society, aompasstion and forgiveness, jealousy, love, and faith. One member wished we had devoted two nights to discuiion.
What was "AK"?
-
Now living out my 84th year, I believe a great many men, most especially those in power positions and politics and those who have recently immigrated to this country, DO think men are superior to women.
The latter believe this with every fibre of their being because it is deeply embedded in the culture they were raised in.
The former, ditto. Locker room talk, golf course talk, pub and bar talk, all these reinforce their Me Tarzan, You Jane mindset.
Also, their knowing nothing of the workings of the female body lends them to believe we are the "weaker" sex and not fit for a management job or something that takes analytical thinking. We are just containers in which to grow babies from their sperm.
Ah, if only they could all menstruate and get pregnant for just one year; wow, would we see a change of attitude!
Just my sincere opinion, folks. No insult meant. Well, mebbe a teeny bit to the guys I am describing.
-
Yep, that is the excuse the RC Church uses that goes back to Aristotle and his two thesis - one on nature and the other on motion - He says change cannot take place without motion and he devotes much of his second thesis explaining the value of motion versus passivity - without movement there is no life change - Aristotle uses the allegory of a house that can only exist if there were builders building - the church saw the theory as the egg being passive therefore, all glory goes to the Sperm and from that the justification that all power goes to those who have the 'building parts and skill' ;) towards producing life. To my way of thinking they were only keeping on keeping on with the power traditions of the ancients - it is hard for the powerful to share power... :P
The encyclical explaining the 'modern' church position was written by Pope Leo XIII - I remember it took a ton of research to find the crux of their argument when I was looking at the rational for Pope Paul not allowing the commission on Population, Family and Birth Control to be included in Vatican II.
-
No saying what will be being done in the future regarding Human Births.
I am amazed even now what can be done. My Granddaughter had twins. 3 more of her friends all had (Sorority sisters) either twins or triplets. All Invetro Now women having 8 births at a time. Just not natural to me. One girl in next town over had 5 babies and something wrong with each of them.
What Joseph Medler the German was still experimenting in Brazil for years. Lot of things done today come from his experiments.
-
Now living out my 84th year, I believe a great many men, most especially those in power positions and politics and those who have recently immigrated to this country, DO think men are superior to women.
The latter believe this with every fibre of their being because it is deeply embedded in the culture they were raised in.
The former, ditto. Locker room talk, golf course talk, pub and bar talk, all these reinforce their Me Tarzan, You Jane mindset.
Also, their knowing nothing of the workings of the female body lends them to believe we are the "weaker" sex and not fit for a management job or something that takes analytical thinking. We are just containers in which to grow babies from their sperm.
Ah, if only they could all menstruate and get pregnant for just one year; wow, would we see a change of attitude!
Just my sincere opinion, folks. No insult meant. Well, mebbe a teeny bit to the guys I am describing.
Just watched the lovely British movie, "Made in Dagenham" which addresses your points very well, MP.
-
Bellemere wrote, "My next project is to reread some of my great Graham Greene books acquired over the years and pick one for my bext Book Club recommendation."
I read Graham Greene's THE HEART OF THE MATTER not long ago . Interesting book. An English police officer works in a British colony on the coast of west Africa. He is married, but has an affair with another woman, and a good part of the last half is the story of his guilt and fears of eternal damnation because he continues to carry on the affair. I haven't read a biography of Greene -- wonder if he had the same fears.
Now I want to read his THE FALLEN IDOL. I watched the movie on Turner Classic Movies made from the book the other night. Got in on the middle and turned it off before the ending, as I wanted to see it from the beginning (available from Netflix). Think I'll see the movie first (a very good 1948 thriller with Ralph Richardson and Michele Morgan). then read the book. IMDB says it's director Carol Reed's reflection on moral ambiguity and it earned him an Oscar for best director.
-
Yes, moral ambiguity forms the fulcrum for most of Greene's
"tortured conscience novels. they always involve a mystery,not a "whdunit" but a "what is going to happen:"
Almost all of his books have been made into great moviews. the ilm of The Heart of the Matter had a wonderful performance by Trevor Howard, and also by Maria Schel, but they completely changed the ending. Have you read The Power and the Glory?
-
I liked Greene years ago, but as I recall, I got tired of his total disregard for the female half of the species.
-
MARYPAGE, I suspect the men of power notion of superiority applies to more than just
women. They probably consider themselves superior to the average man, as well. That
would apply to the 'macho male' syndrome as well. It's more an ego thing than gender
with them, IMO.
Those with a cultural bias, you're right, have the concept engrained. With luck, that
will change with their children and grandchildren raised here.
-
No, Bellemere, I haven't read The Power and the Glory. Have it on my TBR list tho' (along with a zillion other books, LOL)
Thanks for mentioning that The Heart of the Matter was made into a good film. I'll look for it.
Marj
-
In the 90s, when the board members of The Alice Paul Institute ( AP was the MLK of the women's suffrage movement, organized a 5000 person parade in D.C. in 1917, and organized the first ever picketers of the White House, lobbied congress for the 19th Amendment and wrote the Equal Rights Amendment. They were arrested, jailed, went on hunger strikes and were force fed. Her homestead is a few miles from our house and is now a Natl Historic Landmark, thanks to the work of API), went to some male lawyers and bankers for advice and loans to buy her homestead, we got these comments: "How do you and your little group of women expect to make this happen?" From another man, "if we were talking about someone important, like Tho Jefferson, i could see you reaching your goal." sexism is alive and well, even after the 70s.
Oh yeah, we bought the property, paid off the mortgage in 10 yrs and raised money for a substantial restoration of the house. It is a center for teaching leadership skills for women and girls and for keeping AP's and other women's history alive. Here's the website
http://www.alicepaul.org/
Jean
-
Rain rain..ugh and then add into the mix wet leaves by the thousand..and my driveway is a car trap.. I did the fishtail dance last night and was not a happy camper.
I found a Jane Smiley I had not read and was thrilled. I like her stuff..
-
Careful,Steph! Wet leaves are extremely dangerous, as you've found out.
-
wet Leaves on a vertical drive are truly scary, then I discovered that IHad several large limbs also at the bottem of the drive.. Boo.. Yesterday was learn to cast off day in knitting and I never did get to read more than a few pages of my books..
-
Oh, JEAN, do invite those two gentlemen to come see what your 'little group of women' have
accomplished. Be sure and tell them you paid off the mortgage in 10 years. Oh, yes, and I
hope you can also tell them you found more progressive lawyers/bankers to handle your thriving
affairs!
Hope you have a rake handy, STEPH. Better to rake wet leaves than slide on them.
-
In the area of what we were discussing about the role of women in society previously, I saw the MOST wonderful documentary on PBS last night which was made from a book by the same name:
HALF THE SKY
Oh my gosh, it was so scary and so powerful. George Clooney and a lot of movie stars put in money and appearances to make this film become possible. You will sob and you will be enraged and you will be uplifted by the efforts and abilities of OUR SEX! Go Women!
http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/10/01/pbs-half-the-sky-meg-ryan-diane-lane-america-ferrera/
-
My posting yesterday on Facebook........
Dreary, misty, damp day. Perfect day for wasting time looking thru my knitting and crocheting sites, patterns, stitches, blogs. Organizing them all, i luv organizing things. And the great thing abt retirement is i dont feel the least bit guilty abt wasting those hours! What fun!
-
I used to have a tag line that said something to the effect that time spent doing something you enjoy is not being wasted. :D
-
Yes, Mary, i remember that....:)
-
I am midway through Cloud Atlas, the world has been destroyed, is rying to rebuild itself up again, and nto doing very well. Too sci-fi for this reader, and more violent than I expected. But some really clever coined words in the new society: the film archive is the Disneyarium; "facescaping" is estreme plsatic surgery on the face; abd, oh, yes Mary Page the clones come from wombtanks on the fabricant Farms. I guess I will finish it, just to see how he gets all the way back to New Zealand.
Cuttung down perennials today, leaving the sedum because I like the little snow towers that form on them in the winter. Thinking of all the work of eividing I should do next spring.
-
When I was in my twenties and thirties, I adored Science Fiction and read all of the greats of the time.
Tastes change, and now I cannot abide Science Fiction. Don't know why.
Come to think on it, I enjoyed scary horror films back then, as well. And now I simply will not watch them.
Part of this may be because my body is so much frailer and my heart and mind cannot withstand the fears these genre inspire.
-
I love the genre of science fiction known as fantasy or alternate worlds. Building a believable world.. i.e. Anne McCaffrey, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Robert Heinlin,etc is a passion of mine.
-
I know that in retirement I much prefer one or two genres over others. For most of my working life, I had to read "classics," and I'm sick to death of them. I guess there are more genres of books, TV shows, etc. I don't " do" than I do "do. " (What a goofy sentence!) And, isn't that the beauty of having a rich field to choose from...or, in the case of TV, which doesn't, TO ME, seem to have a field of choice at all, an OFF button. I get annoyed with some book sites, (NOT SL) I go to where people end up with a thread on "Survivors" this or that or "Dancing with the Stars." PLEASE! What on earth do either of those (though I admit freely I don't watch those programs), have to do with the current crop of books out? Oh, well, easy to sail right over those posts.
jane
-
Jane your post got me thinking - I wonder if it has to do with our not asking ourselves what we want from a book or TV show - what is the story and the way we hear the story supposed to do for us - make us feel a certain way and if so what way - allow us to think or be surprised or take us out of our everyday sameness or be amazed because of the skill of the author to tell the story - we put an emphasis on the idea a book is a page turner - what is that saying - what is it that makes us feel we need to know what happens next - do we care about how intricate biology happens so that kind of book is a page turner or the life of someone lived in one industry versus another.
I thought it was fascinating reading the feedback my grandson requested for his Business class at UNC from 6 people who know him well. Three were family members, a high school coach, paster and family adult friend. We had to share two stories of a time in his life when we thought he acted in a way that brought value to the situation and one story when he did not bring value to the situation.
To a person we all ended up sharing without being conscious of what we were doing values that we not only admire but the feedback could have been a profile of each of us that we saw reflected and admired or didn't in my grandson.
Now I am wondering if that is what we do choosing a book to read - we want situations or characters that actually reflect ourselves because it is a key to who we are but more, we can relate more easily to their dilemma - there is always the conflict or dilemma - and so the older we get the better we get to know ourselves and I wonder if that affects the books we want to read or the TV shows that appeal enough to watch.
-
Two brief announcements for the Fiction bulletin board...
1. This week we are discussing the first Act of Shakespeare's The Tempest. Plenty of time for you to catch up if you had been intending to join the October Book Club Online discussion.
2. The Nominations for the November group discussion can be found in the heading of the Suggestion Box (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=309.880) There are some goldne oldies nominated - as well as some new ones. The titles in the heading are all linked to reviews in case you haven't heard of them.
Keep in mind too that the Nominations are still open for a few more days. We'd love to hear from you about a book you'd like to discuss with a group.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
:) MARYPAGE. Perhaps that is why my preferred sci/fi reading is the books where good
triumphs and the evil get what's coming to them. Fantasy, as I know very well from observing
our world, but it helps. I read the harsh stuff when I was younger, stronger and more
hopeful and resilient.
that we saw reflected and admired or didn't in my grandson.
BARB, it took a long while
for it to dawn on me that the things that irritated me most in my children, were faults
of my own! Very useful eye-opener, indeed.
-
Honestly I dont think I read things that reflect me or my life. I want to be carried away or read about places I have been or even that I dont even want to go. Dontl like certain genres.. Any celebrity or political autobiography is an automatic pass for me.. I love mysteries.. mostly that have strong females ,,, but I also read Daniel Silva.. ( spies), all sorts of science fiction ( Terry Pratchett make me laugh) not overfond of the too too romancetype mysteries. I get turned off by any book that insists all of the main characters are just tooo tooo handsome, beautiful glamerous.. Too much sex..sigh.. I am listening to the Girl with the Dragon Tatoo.. and would never go to the movie. Way too much torture
-
Steph sounds like you respect and prefer your reading that - mostly that have strong females
That suggests that you are uncomfortable around cloying dependent little girl type women - but more, reading your posts especially, these last couple of years you epitomize a strong women -
Good Grief look at what you are doing to get on with your life - you even purchased a second home in another state where you have no family nearby - you are learning new skills - you may not have a mystery to solve with some dead body showing up on your front lawn but my goodness if it were to happen I can only imagine you immediately calling the authorities and spic span it would all be taken care of - you may not try to solve the who and why but you would not wait for some passerby to call in and take care of anything unusual.
Not trying to prove a point - just acknowledging that you are every bit as strong a female as those who you respect and like to read as a character in a book. May even explain why you do not like the romantic novel - most romantic novels stereotype the nineteenth century women and not the strong pioneer women.
-
May even explain why you do not like the romantic novel - most romantic novels stereotype the nineteenth century women and not the strong pioneer women.
I don't find that the case with novels written in the last 20 years or so. I've found that many contemporary women's lit/romantic suspense { I enjoy those books immensely} reflect contemporary society. I believe there will always be women who are dependent and "needy," as there have been throughout history, and there will, I think, always be women who are independent thinkers and are treated with respect because they know they deserve it.
jane
-
Now that would be interesting to read Jane - a contemporary women's lit/romance - please do you have a couple of suggestions - I guess when I think of romance novels I think of the many bodice busters or the young woman trying to prove she can be successful on her own but eventually looses her place in the competitive race because she falls in love on the order of the Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, You've Got Mail.
-
I'm not big on recommending books/authors to others since our tastes vary so dramatically. My sister seems to be the only one who understands the kind of books I enjoy. My friends seem to think that what they enjoy is what I will...and it never is.
But, since you asked, I like Linda Howard and her suspense/intrigue novels such as:
All the Queen's Men; Kill and Tell: A Novel; Diamond Bay;Midnight Rainbow
and I also enjoyed Nora Roberts (I can hear the gasps now... ::) ) The Witness
-
Thanks - worth a try - :-*
-
Borrow from your Library and if they don't appeal to you, you've only lost a little bit of time. ;D
-
I don't go for Romance novels. Love mysteries, Suspense. Change into not fiction for a break. Just read couple of Jennifer Weiner, Have a Miss Julie and 2 Beverly Lewis. (Amish) to read this week. At this time reading a fast read between cleaning. Kate Jacob "Knit the season". First of hers I have read. Also got 4 DVD at library yesterday.
Suppose to keep raining for next few days and so will sit back and enjoy the weekend. Nothing on Tv until Sunday night PBS.
-
"just acknowledging that you are every bit as strong a female as those who you respect and like to read as a character in a book."
I'll second that!
-
Ditto what Barb and Joan said Steph!
I loved Linda Howard's Mr Perfect
I'm still loving Clara and Mr Tiffanyand am reading your archived discussion.
I'm ready for a rainy weekend too, several books from the library and a prayer shawl to knit on and a tote bag to crochet. If i get bored with those, i could do some housework. :-\
-
Thank you all of you.. I hope that I am a living embodiment of the old saying.. What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.. I know the last three years for me have been hard. But this summer for the first time, I have relaxed. not trying to be perfect in all.. If I cannot do it, I can leave it and the world will not cease to be.. I even find myself peeping at the opposite sex and going.. maybe if I could meet someone who just wanted to go to plays and out to dinner and did not want anything else..Silly but true.. I still have my ghost, but he smles a lot and seems to urge me forward.
-
I believe that, STEPH. A poignant memory of mine is when my father was deciding
whether to marry again. He told me he went to mother's grave and asked her if she would
mind. He said he could almost hear her voice smilingly saying, "Silly boy!"
-
Banned Books Week was this week. I happened to be in a library in another community that had an interesting display, using yellow warning tape, "do not cross," to bring attention - I was surprised at the number of those books I had read.
My thought, some of then might have been forgotten had it not been for challenges.
-
I remember clearly that Boston banned Gone With The Wind because Rhett Butler said: "Frankly My Dear, I don't give a damn!" at the end of the book, and Boston, Massachusetts would not tolerate the use of the word "damn" back in 1939!
Remember the phrase constantly in use back then: "Banned in Boston?"
When you think of the words in print these days, well, I cringe. I am sure the current generation, that of my great grandchildren, cannot imagine why I shudder at words heard on television and appearing in print and used by them as though they were saying pretty or sweet!
My grandmother made me wash my mouth out with Fels Naptha soap while she watched back when I was twelve years old. I had said: "Darn it!"
Tempus fugits, indeed. Tempus omnia mutat.
-
I too have problems with what they have on tv and movies and unfortunately real life.. I am high in the mountains, but the teen boys up here are still into theconstant spitting, which I dispise.. Ugly habit.. If I had ever caught my sons doing that, there would have been instant war.
-
We recently had a family discussion about foul language. My son who teaches in high school started it by talking about dealing w/ a young woman who he told twice to change her language and then took her to the vice priniciple when she continued. I was also a high school teacher and saw a big change from the first round in the 60s, that ended in 1970, and when i went back for a second round in 1981 - students had no qualms of making inappropriate comments in front of me - not cursing, but comments to each other, like boys commenting to big busted girls.
The difference now is the cursing. We talked about how there was always street/within the group language, and language you used around people you respected. Now, young people hear "bad" language everywhere and don't recognize the "boundaries". They hear their parents and adults on tv and in the movies use bad language in all situations, so they use it too and are not taught differently by the adults around them.
I must say that i only once had a college student who used curse words in class. I let it slide the first time, but the second time when he used the "f" word, i told him that that was not an acceptable word to use in class and he apologized and didn't do it again.
-
Remember the movie Love Story? Book by Erich Segal. The language in the book didn't provoke me, but the use of four letter words by the actress in the movie was shocking to me at the time.
Ordinarily I am not a lover of dystopian literature such as The Hunger Games, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading Newbery Award winner The Giver several years ago. It’s considered a children/YA book although NYT says that 55% of all YA books are bought by adults. At any rate, it was the mention of its author, Lois Lowry, that drew me to this article, which discusses the sequels to The Giver, thus making The Giver Quartet, and how subsequent events in Lowry’s life have influenced her writing. An interesting comparison between the writings of Lowry and Susan Collins is also included.
The Children’s Author Who Actually Listens to Children (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/magazine/lois-lowry-the-childrens-author-who-actually-listens-to-children.html?ref=books)
-
thanks - good article that makes you think.
-
I have long loved Lois Lowry and did not hesitate to buy her books for my granddaughters when they were young and now for my great grandchildren.
-
I came in this evening to tell you that the vote just opened for November's featured book discussion. As some of the titles may be unfamiliar to you, please read the reviews in the heading of the Suggestion Box (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=309.new#new) before going into the Ballot Box. Thanks, everyone!
-
I love Lois Lowry and read quite a few of hers when I had the store. I also gave my granddaughte quite a few of her books.. Good writer.
-
I gave up on The Red Tent. It just didn't grab me. Those first 100 pages about all the relatives and Jacob marrying Leah, spending 7 days in a tent w/ her and then marrying Rachael and spending 7 days w/ her and the jelousy between the wives just seemed like a bad romance novel to me. I'm sure there must be a better story in later pages since some of you and others really liked it, but i don't want to spend the time getting to that. I have too many books i know i will like on my tbr list. :)
Different strokes for different folks, thank goodness!
Jean
-
I am so sorry, Jean; I loved The Red Tent soooo very much, and I feel bad that I recommended it to you and you did not care for it.
The story is actually right smack dab from the Old Testament of The Bible. I have always loved the story of Jacob's serving 7 years to get Rachel and then being told he had to take Leah first and then toiling 7 more years to get Rachel, herself. And those two women the mothers, together, of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Fascinates me.
And, as I think I said before, the relationships formed between the wives and the cocubines, especially during their monthly vacations in The Red Tent, were heart warming.
-
I also loved reading "The Red Tent."Just can't think of the other book by the same author that I read. I must not of liked it as much as the First one.
-
That is what makes this group so great - we have such a variety of reading taste - love it...!
-
Well, Leah and Rachel didn't have to bear l2 sons. The concubines 'carried' some of the
load. I find it interesting that though Rachel was the best-beloved, it was Leah who was
the mother of Judah and the line of David, Jesus, and even the terms 'Jew' and 'Judaism'.
-
hmm, not sure if I want to attempt the Red Tent.. will put it onmy sample this first list.
But the Jane Gardam is wonderful. I remember I liked Old Filth and this is a story of a woman.. breaking down in little pieces. Whew..
-
Steph, I really loved The Red Tent, and I think you will, as well. It had to be listed as Fiction, of course, because it is Historical Fiction and the author had to write dialogue and thoughts in between the actual history as set out in the Bible. We do know that the lineage and basic facts regarding names and who "begat" whom are alleged to be true history, and they may well be. I like to believe that they are. Of course, the rest is imagination steeped in what is known of the culture of those ancient times.
For me, at least, it is thrilling to follow an imaginary tale of how those men who came each to be the First Chief of one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel were born and bred. A lovely story, IMHO.
-
For those who like to read about the bible. thought you might be interested in Isaac Asimov's GUIDE TO THE BIBLE which I have been reading and finding it fascinating. He does not talk about the teachings and theology of it, but gives a very interesting look at the history, i.e., the events, who the people were, where they lived, what they did and why, etc.
It's a big book of both the old and new testaments. But can often be found very cheap used at Amazon.
Marj
-
Asimov wrote about the bible? Who knew! (Probably Sci-Fi fans did. I read his Sci fi as a kid).
-
Marj, that book is still on my shelf. Haven't looked at it in ages.
-
My ftf reading group read The Red Tent a number of years ago. All of the group thought it was a good book. It's very good, but not my kind of book at all. That's the good thing about my ftf group....they force me to read "out of my realm". I've discovered some really good books that way.
Sally
-
Some of you may be interested in a new Harvard course on Do It Yourself Scholar.... Interpreting the Bible, read the description here. It's free, just click on the "itunes" link at the beginning of the paragraph. If you don't have itunes, it will prompt you to download it, it's also free.
http://diyscholar.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/interpreting-the-bible/
-
I began reading and studying the Bible at a fairly early age. I still do. I've also read the Jewish 'Tanakh', their Bible,
with it's commentaries and explanations. Helps, sometimes, to compare the two. I'm now reading, for the second time,
(didn't grasp much the first time around), the Qu'ran. I want to know what it actually says, rather than what others with
probably partisan view, tell me it says. I have been quite startled, actually, at the inaccuracy of some of the things I
was told. And of course, like anyone with an interest in religion, I took a course in comparative religion in college.
My basic faith is firmer than ever, but I've been forced to raise a doubtful eyebrow at some of the doctrines that have
developed in the church.
-
I know I am a minority, but I guess for me, I remember that the bible is always and forever a translation and many many scholars disagree on what was actually meant. It also was originally translatedby men...for men... and I suspect slanted towardsmen.. Sorry.. but that is it.. The Old Testament can be truly gruesome in spots.. Desert people live somewhat differently than other tribes.
-
JoanK wrote, "Asimov wrote about the bible? Who knew! (Probably Sci-Fi fans did. I read his Sci fi as a kid)."
Asimov also wrote a Guide to Shakespeare, but I have not read that one.
Marj
-
Since we were talking about Tiffany and I know some of you are art lovers, i thought you might enjoy hearing about this new site.......from my openculture newsletter this morning
http://www.openculture.com/2012/10/artsy_rolls_out_huge_archive_of_fine-art_images.html
-
Steph not a minority of one - another thought that a professor opened my eyes - the first was Mark, with Mat and Luke using his work as a benchmark - and then the realization - what kind of story would be written about a well loved figure two years after 9/11 if the terrorists were in power here in the USA - Two years before Mark wrote his section of the New Testament the main and most glorious Temple in Jerusalem was completely destroyed by the Romans. That event was as traumatic as 9/11 and had to influence the story telling.
We also have various copies with whole parables written in by monks when they copied the work and even St. Jerome alters some stories as compared to the three other originals - then other monks while copying loose track of where they are and sections of pages are not carried forward.
For me there is much Theology that has been more valuable tying me to my beliefs along with viewpoints but not the practices of some of the Eastern Religions. Have not read the Qur'an - still working on the Upanishads.
-
Regardless of a person's individual belief, it can only be a Good Thing to study all of the religions of this world.
While I do not personally believe in the Native American gods of the earth and of all nature, there is nothing more soothing to me than to hear a Native American explain why they believe all living creatures have souls and why the wind carries spirits and so on and so forth. Very soothing. I have also heard Japanese explain why they worship and revere their ancestors, and that, too, is a lovely thing. Makes me want to set up a sacred place with pictures of all of My Dead and then bow and pray to them.
One thing I am 100% certain of: God does not have a sex. But it was the MEN of this world, even given a he, a she, and an it to choose from OR given the choice to make up a pronoun to use for God alone, well, these men with their God-given egos (one wonders why and deplores the fact that we can ask, but no answers come) took it for a certainty that God is a He. And so we are stuck with a point of theology we know perfectly well is mistaken. From the git go.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Oh... The Queen of the Tambourine by Gardam. The ending was incredible. I read the last 20 or so pages over and over. What a wild ride. That one won a well deserved prize.. Anyone who wants to look into a womans heart and mind.. read it..
Oh, found The Red Tent in a used book store. Put it in with the hundreds of tbr
s.. but close to the top.
-
Asimov wrote such a mind-boggling number of books, on every subject imaginable, that
I'm never surprised to learn of something else he's written. But how on earth did he
do it!! He wasn't sitting around doing nothing but writing. He was very active in more
than one field. Simply amazing!
I couldn't agree more, MARYPAGE. As ignorance is the cause of so much harm, so
knowledge is the road to understanding.
Duly noted, STEPH. The 'Queen of the Tambourine" is added to my list. I think i have
read something by Gardam before. Is that Jane Gardam? Of "Old Filth"? I can't say that
was one of my favorite books.
-
Yes, old Filth was the Gardam book we read here. This one is quite different however. It sort of sucks you down the rabbit hole and when you come up for air, you are puzzled, surprised,shocked. Wow.
-
Wow!, indeed. Let's see. I wonder if I have sufficient stamina for puzzled, surprised and shocked? Probably do me good!
;)
-
But don't put on weight while you're down the rabbit hole or you might not be able to get out.
-
I just read themost wonderul article in the current New Yorker, by Joan Acocella,"Turning the Page:" How Women Became Readers". It is actually an expanded review of a new book by Belinda Jacck, a tutorial fellow at Oxford. In the history of women, there is probably no matter, apart from contraception, more important than literacy" It deals especially with women reading fiction. Everyone, try to read it. If you don't subscribe, see if the library has the October 15 issue. You'll love it!
-
Steph, I loved Queen of the Tambourine, just reread it and discovered little tipoffs in the text, like people asking Eliza "Dogs, Eliza" meaning there really is only one. And the professor liquifying and going down the drain! bjut when that voice on the phone said "This is Joan" , didn't you almost drop the book? Jane Gardem is fantastic, waiting for her next.
-
Tho' my local library doesn't have it, I'm confidant the county library will. My elder daughter
lives near one of their branches. I'll see if it's there.
-
Oh Bellemere, yes, I jumped in my seat at the This is Joan.. and went... NOOOOO. Amazing book. I also have a book of short stories of hers. it is home in Florida and when I get home Monday will go digging because I loved this one somuch.. She is sort of an English Ann Patchett. Surprises at every turn.
-
I don't know if you have read the sequel to Old Filth, the Man in the Wooden Hat. another one full of surprises. Some of the same characters with very different aspectws of their personalitties revealed.
-
Bellemere, thanks for the info about the New Yorker article on Women Readers. I do want to read it myself, but first will alert my New York daughter. She subscribes to it and loves it, and also to the Atlantic Monthly, and the NY Times and I don't know what other periodicals. But she does not read books. We talked about that when she was here a few weeks ago. She's certainly capable of it, two graduate degrees, but it's just not her thing. Her partner is an avid book reader, but Judy prefers magazines and newspapers. She loves her new i-Pad because it has all her reading material in one place.
-
I'm reading IT CAN'T HAPPEN HERE, a novel by Sinclair Lewis, which I've meant to read for a long time and is being recommended by my library. Very interesting book set during the great depression in 1936, about how fascism could take hold in America. It was written before most Americans were yet aware of what Hitler was doing in Germany.
It foreshadows one of our current politician's recent 47% speech, where one of the characters in the novel, a banker, says ""with all the lazy bums we got panhandling relief nowadays, and living on my income tax..." and another says, "These are serious times - maybe twenty-eight million on relief, and beginning to get ugly - thinking they've got a vested right now to be supported."
It has got me wanting to read how the 16th Amendment to the Constitution, giving us the income tax, ever got passed in 1913.
Marj
-
"In the history of women, there is probably no matter, apart from contraception, more important than literacy."
In "Half the Sky", the author shows study after study that shows the most important way to develop an economy is to educate women.
-
I think that the income tax amendment was passed to give the government the income it would need when prohibition became law. At that time the tax on alcohol was the primary source of government funding.
Mary
-
Marj, the first income tax was put in place in 1861 for the Union to finance the Civil War, so it was not a brand new idea when the Progressives and Populists pushed for it in the first decade of the 20th century. The latter part of the 19th century had seen the greatest gap between rich and poor that we have ever seen until recent decades with the robber barons (Rockefeller, Astor, Vanderbilt, JP Morgan, etc.) who were paying people 10 cents an hour, making millions and then billions of dollars, and having all profits free and clear. The Populists had first suggested the graduated inc tax and as the Progressives began to support Populists' ideas like 10 hr days and food and meat inspections, etc, the Progressives - Theodore Roosevelt and Taft - got into office and had the power to pass progressive legislation, including the 16 th ammendment. It had quite a battle thru the Supreme Court before it was ratified, being considered unconstitutional by some.
Wikipedia has a good account of the court cases.
Jean
-
Thanks Jean and CubFan for your info regarding the passage of the tax on incomes. Very interesting.
Marj
-
In "Half the Sky", the author shows study after study that shows the most important way to develop an
economy is to educate women.
JOAN, I heartily hope that book gets a wide readership in the Middle East and Africa. Or at least the
more influential people will read it. I would think that developing a more prosperous economy would be
a major stimulus to changing the negative attitudes towad educating women.
It pains me to see gifts of mind and spirit condemned to waste!
-
Joan, i've heard that a lot recently, about how important education of girls is to an economy. Isn't that interesting?
Jean
-
I am reading Girl Interrupted. An interesting book on immigrant chinese and why they let themselves be put down..
-
an image stands out from Turning the Page: How women beame readers: . Women were reading by the Renaissance, , tiny little books they could conceal from husbands and fathers. In a Renaissance painting in a museum inFflorence ,illustrating The
Annunciation, Mary has her thumb in the pages of her little book so as not to lose her place as the Angel Gabriel is announcint to her that she is to be the Mother of God. Her answer, from scripture is"M<ay it be done to me according to thy word." but can't you just imagine her going right back to her book?
How many times did you tell your kids, "Leave me alone, I'm reading."
-
It was probably painted from the imagination of a female apprentice of a famous artist, with him getting all of the credit.
We most definitely are finding History repeating itself as the electorate do not know or understand the lessons of History.
Such discordancy! "Less Government & less govenment spending!" "More spending on protection for our Foreign Embassies!" "No to funding for the State Department to pay to protect our Foreign Embassies!"
Talk about Schizophrenia!
-
I am now officially in the "Just let the election be over" mode.. Sigh..
-
Amen - early voting starts on Monday and first thing that is what I do and then I will shut the TV off until Sunday night to see my favorite shows - I've done it before - the first day or two is difficult and I may have to sit on my hands literally to get through an evening without news but with my CDs filling the house with music it will be a relief. They go over and over the same stuff with the media making a new fuss over a sentence they did not fuss over the last time...grrr
-
As you probably know by now, Hilary Mantel won her 2nd Booker Prize for BRING UP THE BODIES, her sequel to her other winner, WOLF HALL, and the second in her trilogy about Thomas Cromwell. I think she deserved it. I'm almost finished with Bring up the Bodies, after checking it out again from the library where I had to return before I finished it. Good book. Easier to read than Wolf Hall.
Marj
-
Ditto Amen to Steph and Barb. I'll vote tomorrow. I haven't been watching any of it anyway.
-
Can'g be so complacent. I feel a great deal is at stake, and most of all, the threatof another war. Have tried very hard to follow what is being said, but it is between the lines that the substance lies. We are elicting our leaders by TV images and little more. That is disastrous.
-
I'm with you, Bellemere. A great deal is at stake -- especially the Supreme Court nominations by the next president. I'd hate to see a 100% right-wing conservative court.
And the last thing we need is another war and an extension of the Afghanistan war.
I watched the Tuesday presidential debate. Almost agree that two debates is enough, but I'll watch the next one on Monday anxiously where the subject will be foreign policy. I've already voted absentee ballot.
Marj
-
There is a most excellent article about how Hilary Mantel came to write Wolf Hall in the latest The New Yorker.
I am a Nervous Nellie about the election, as well. It quite blows my mind the way some people just yell out lies and seem to feel they are triumphantly intelligent, when they really are woodenly stupid. Did you hear that woman telling Chris Matthews one night last week over and over again, no matter what he asked her, that "Obama is a Communist!"? He finally said to her: "You do know that you are on national television, don't you?" And she just thrust her face back into his microphone and said, "He's a Communist; that's what he is!"
Matthews asked and asked her upon what evidence or knowledge she based her assertion. She just said: "Oh, it's obvious. He is, that's all!"
Where, oh where is intelligent dialogue?
And they say that guy who says real rape won't produce a pregnancy might WIN! Have you ever wished with all your cellular energies that men could become pregnant?
I dream!
-
MaryPage wrote: " And they say that guy who says real rape won't produce a pregnancy might WIN! Have you ever wished with all your cellular energies that men could become pregnant? I dream!"
LOL! Yes!! I would have thought the people in Missouri would be smarter than to vote in Todd Akin! If not, they'll deserve what they get. The problem is, he's a U.S. representative, not a state representative.
There are some places where there is intelligent dialogue, but you have to look for it.
I read the New Yorker article on Hilary Mantel, "The Dead are Real" by Larissa
MacFarquhar, Oct. 15, 2012. Thanks.
Marj
-
What I cannot understand and do not know why more women are not standing up - Why are we glorifying the sperm of a criminal - why is a women risking her life and going through the pain of childbirth to bring forward the leavings of a criminal - why is she torn over the love of a child and the disgust of being a martyr to a criminal and now, to societies depraved need to glorify the future genes of a criminal.
Never mind her body is now not able to act out of love have the baby shared between herself and her loving partner because she must spend the next 9 months glorifying this criminal unless, she could have immediately the day-after pill that seems to be held up by some power working their magic.
-
Why? Bottom line? For all of these thousands of years?
Because if they cannot force women to carry to birth every single conception, if they actually give women the CHOICE over whether or not their body is up to carrying a fetus and giving birth, they cannot EVER be certain the seed they plant will result in a harvest of THEIR bloodline carrying descendants.
For millennia now, conquering armies have slain men and raped all of their women, for the singular purpose of imprinting the conquered country with their own racial and facial characteristics. It is STILL going on in Africa this very day! Darfur and Ethiopia, for instance. Mankind has ALWAYS known raped women can conceive!
And the Serbs raped all the Muslim women. Relentlessly, under orders, methodically. The thousands of half Serb babies born brought dishonor to these women among their relatives! Read the books about the Bosnian War. You have to read it to even Believe It!
Power types among men want all women to be classed as good for nothing but bearing children and providing comfortable homes for men. They see any other type of woman as a threat to their status quo.
Listen to some of the White Male Powerboys, now aging, whose grip on this country and its culture is slipping every decade. They are the ones saying the crazy things.
When my generation and my children's generation is all dead and gone, I think women will finally escape their bonds and break free and become equal. Then women are going to have to bend over backwards not to let it become too obvious that actually, they are superior.
And no one, no one, not one single White Male Chauvinist is going to be able to say: "You WILL have this child!"
-
I cannot just say that I wish the election would just be over. I have convictions, and I have an outome in mind that I will vote to bring about.
As for pro-choice, my little Down's grandson owes his life to a choice his parents made without any hesitation: to have hime and raise hime to have the best life he can. He is thriving, getting rave reviews from the professional Early Intervention Team that visits regularly to check his progress. (Another benefit of the Massachusetts Universal Health Plan). he rolls over, kicks his feet , grabs for his toys, and his eyes constantly follow his three year old brother. HIs mother calls him "the Love Muffine."
-
I support fully every woman's right to bear the child she has conceived.
But the woman who desperately needs NOT to must have her chance to choose, as well. It is those who do everything they can to deny that choice I stand against.
If the women in Bosnia had had the choice, after being systematically and ruthlessly raped (the bodies of the men and boys were found in a huge single grave, over ten THOUSAND of them), to abort those Serbian babies and not be disowned by their families, who felt dishonored (some were, of course, even killed by their families; honor killings), they would have availed themselves of offered medical services.
I stand for and with the desperate women without hope. I know and understand and relate to desperation.
I enjoy the warm and fuzzy feelings I get from hearing the happy outcomes of situations where women are free to choose to give birth to a baby who will be loved.
-
Agreed, the principle of women's choice has to be upheld.
As to Hilary Mantel, I read the long article about her development as the author of "historical fiction" which some consider an anomaly, like semi-boneless ham, but which I enjoyed very much in Wolf Hall. Whether I will go back for more Tudor history I am not sure. But I willsay that she had a long and heroic struggle to beocme th fine author she is tocay. Booker prize winners are almowt always good bets for reading choices, do you agree?
Here in the Us, the National Book Awards are this week, I think. Must check. My daughter goes to the dinner each year and says the atmosphere is always electric; sometimes the award is a comlete surprise.
-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_in_the_Bosnian_War
There are orphanages full of the children, now in their teens and many off on their own, of these rapes. Their mothers did not want them. Their fathers were back in Serbia, unsure how many children they had left behind. Some were killed at birth by their mothers, some were kept, but most wound up in institutions, unwanted.
It is entirely possible that half brothers and sisters will marry and have children of their own.
The hatred marches on.
-
I agree, Bellemere, that the Booker Prize winner books are almost always worth reading.
My favorites from the 2011 shortlist, were THE SISTERS BROTHERS by Anthony DeWitt and PIGEON ENGLISH by Stephen Kelman, both fastinating! Also good was SNOWDROPS by A.D Miller. Didn't care much, tho,' for the winner, Julian Barnes' SENSE OF AN ENDING. . I'm getting ready to start (after I finish Bring up the Bodies), HALF BLOOD BLUES by Esi Edugyan to read with a group that discusses all the shortlisted nominations and winners.
Marj
-
It is hard to realize the cruelty to women and the continued cruelty that affects the community of women - at times it feels overwhelming with little hope which unfortunately stops us in our tracks as we are overcome with grief - rage - the injustice - even the question for many 'where is god in all this' - that is why I think those who write books like Half the Sky and gather the stories where pockets of hope exist allow us to put one foot in front of the other and get us out of our frozen tracks. To inspire action through hope is a special skill - and thank goodness there are some who are developing that skill along with their caring about women.
-
I was premature. the National book Awards dinner is Nov. 14 and the five finalists for fiction include Junot Diaz, Dave Eggers, Louise Erdrich, and two newcomers, both writing about Iraq war. Readings by the finalists will take place during the week preceding, and I hope some may be televised. I am pulling for Dave Eggers, and want to get his book, Hologram for the King .
-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_rape
The history is fascinating. Note the Biblical passages cited!
-
I am so happy that you are a community to which i can say DITTO!!! To everything you all have said in the last few days.
I am envious of those of you who can vote early, NJ doesn't allow that yet.
I am reading Shaber's book Louise's War and enjoying it. I had not heard of her before and it's the onky book of hers in our library. I'll have to request her new one.
Jean
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Her new one isn't available on kindle, either.
-
I like Shaber very much, but it is hard to find her books..
-
I just finished Louise's War, in the middle of the night last night. It's probably the first time I've heard about a book and immediately downloaded it (cold) to my Kindle. I loved it, she has some surprises there and ties things up very nicely. We lived in DC at the beginning of the war -- I was in first grade when Pearl Harbor was bombed. By the time school was out in June the non-war agencies had been transferred out of the city -- my dad to Chicago with the FDIC and my uncle to Philadelphia with the SEC. My dad died two years later and we never went back there to live. My son has lived there now for over 20 years, and on my next visit I want to go to Union Station. I've never seen it and Shaber gives a wonderful description.
A good friend here left her Missouri home after her sophmore year in high school and went to DC to help the war effort. She was 16 years old and the two friends who went with her were 15. They lived in Ma and Pa Carter's boarding house on Rhode Island Ave.
-
Steph, Amazon has a lot of Shaber's books. Many are just $2.99 on Kindle.
Sally
-
I have lived near DC and been in and out of it all of my life. I often paid long visits to family who lived there while I was growing up. All of my married life, I lived either in the Maryland or the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.
I was 12 years old when Pearl Harbor was bombed. We had never heard of Pearl Harbor, and Hawaii was a possession then, not a state. We did know where Hawaii was, as we all had yearned to go there. It was news to us that our Navy hung out there. We did not learn until the war was over how bad that day actually was.
I remember most the building of the Pentagon (drove by it often) and the many ghastly temporary buildings all along the Mall.
Everyone and every thing went to war. Today's generations have no idea whatsoever what all out war is.
I was 16 when we celebrated V-J day. I had more kisses from more utterly unknown to me soldiers and sailors on city streets that night than most women get in a lifetime! Well, so did every other female, young and old, who was out on American streets celebrating that night!
Ah, memories!
-
I really appreciate hearing about those memories!
I liked Louise's War. I have only modern memories of D.C., but the streets, the Foggy Bottom area, all were familiar.
-
I grew up in Delaware, so was always close to D.C. and a lot of people I went to school with ended up working there. My cousin went to U. of Maryland, so when I was a late teen, used to visit her and we always went into D.C. Freer place than anywhere else in the mid 50's. Was there for a week a few years ago 2008.... not a nice place to wander away from the monument area now.. Union Station is glorious.. I have taken the train so many times and sometimes have had a chance to disembark and wander a bit..
Way too many homeless there . They sleep literally everywhere.
-
I've started my first 'Miss Julia' book, 'tho not the first of the series. Which means there are a number of characters
the author reasonably assumes everyone knows about now. These are sorting themselves out now, and the book is
the light reading I want at the moment. I can't really identify with Miss Julia, though. A woman who refuses to travel?
Who would rather stay home and hassle with remodeling the house rather than join her husband for a trip to Israel?
Are there really people like that? :o
-
Has anyone read BRICK LANE by Monica Ali? It was recommended to me by a friend, and sounds interesting. I was especially curious after reading about the advice her mother gave her in the Amazon review:
Per Amazon, "Wildly embraced by critics, readers, and contest judges (who put it on the short-list for the 2003 Man Booker Prize), Brick Lane is indeed a rare find: a book that lives up to its hype. Monica Ali's debut novel chronicles the life of Nazneen, a Bangladeshi girl so sickly at birth that the midwife at first declares her stillborn. At 18 her parents arrange a marriage to Chanu, a Bengali immigrant living in England. Although Chanu--who's twice Nazneen's age--turns out to be a foolish blowhard who "had a face like a frog," Nazneen accepts her fate, which seems to be the main life lesson taught by the women in her family. "If God wanted us to ask questions," her mother tells her, "he would have made us men." Over the next decade-and-a-half Nazneen grows into a strong, confident woman who doesn't defy fate so much as bend it to her will."
I have just been reading about the little Pakistani girl who was recently almost killed when she was shot in the head by the Taliban because she spoke out about wanting girls to be able to have an education. The Taliban had ordered the closing of schools for girls. Girls seem to have such an awfully sad life in many of these places.
Marj
-
I have read 'Brick Lane' and seen the film - it was a while ago, and now they seem to be a bit confused in my head! They were both certainly very good, and Monica Ali seems to know her stuff about the life of first and second generation immigrants in the East End of London.
I haven't read 'Small Island', which I think came out at about the same time and with a similar theme.
Rosemary
-
I haven't read Small Island either, but it sounds interesting. I've put it and Brick Lane on my TBR list.
Thanks, Rosemary.
Marj
-
Brick Lane sounds good, Marjifay, and have added the film to my Netflix queue and the book in my Amazon cart, not necessarily for immediate purchase.
That young Pakistani girl who was shot must have a lot of fortitude. In 2009, at age 11, she was blogging for BBC, about what it was like to live under Taliban rule.
And an article in this week's Time Magazine, that I just finished this afternoon, tells of another Pakistani girl, age 11, taking a physics class on a MOOC (online) a month ago when the government shut down access to YouTube, supposedly because of the protests over the anti-Muslim video. The girl was in the middle of the final exam and was devastated, but she posted in the class discussion, "I am very angry, but I will not quit." Classmates from around the world, adults, provided workarounds so she could finish the exam, which she did with highest distinction. She and her twin brother have now signed up for a computer science class, college level.
I think Pakistan is something of an enigma, and in some aspects untrustworthy, but with such determined young people perhaps there is hope for democracy there.
-
My granddaug;hter began her first year at University of Virginia and was paired with a second generation Pakistani girl. It was love at first sight, they got along so well they promised toroom toghther next year as well. But Khadeeja's parents have friends with a daughter entering the university next year and want very much for her to have a Muslim roommate. So K. , as a dutiful daughter had to tell my granddaughter their plans would have to change. Granddaughter taking it well, but a little sad. Most American parents would not intervene in their daughter's choice of a college roommate. I wonder when things will finally change for American Mslim girls. Next generation?
-
I'm so glad help was found for that young Pakistani girl, PEDLN. It is such a shame when a
find mind goes to waste for lack of opportunities.
I wonder, BELLEMERE, if the parents are fearful that their daughter would not be treated well
unless she was with someone they could trust? It may be that once the young lady becomes
accustomed to her new situation and makes some friends, she will want a different roommate, too.
College dorm life in the USA can be a difficult adjustment, and doubly so for a young woman from
an Islamic country.
-
Living in Florida where there are a good many Pakistani and Muslims.. the parents want to stay with the old customs and the children dont.. It seems to lend itself to all sorts of complications.. Why do they come to the US if everything that happens in Pakistan is the right way. Wouldnt it make sense to stay there??
-
Oh I am third generation three quarters German and until WWII we still spoke German at home and my mother kept a German kitchen and the talk at the table was often about Kaiser Wilhelm. the boys were educated or if there was a family business they were next in line and and and - I was not alone - not only did I have other friends whose family was German with the same outlook but there were some Italian families in the neighborhood and they also spoke Italian, made their own wine, played boccie in the side yard etc etc Again, the boys were heralded and the girls were expected to marry but with far more restrictive control over their dating life. Everyone was expected to marry within the nationality of the family - and so I do not see this current crop of immigrants any different than previous immigrants.
As to dorm sharing - if she is the eldest daughter than in many families - I know I am an eldest - we are expected from early childhood to look after our younger brothers and sisters who the family sees as more coddled and needing more care - in some ways it is comfortable to room with your kid sister and it is too bad that friends are no longer room mates - but better the breakup is because of a younger sister rather than another girl in the Dorm - sure it hurts but then to wish her ex room-mate well and go on is probably the stronger way.
-
Marj.
Glad you ordered "Brick Lane" you will enjoy it. Me being from the North UK where many Pakistan people now live, I am amazed when I go back to watch and see how they still stick to their Muslim ways of life. I t is hard for some of their Teen agers to stick to. They still bring men over from Pakistan to marry their daughters. Many of the girls have been beaten for not agreeing. Some for just being seen talking to a English boy. You will understand a little after reading the book.
-
Barb, that is actually my granddaughter's pholosophy. She and K. will enjoy sharing this year, and will surely remain good friends. As an only child, my granddaughter is truly delighted to have an "almost sister" . She is also being very mature about the whle thing. Good sign.
who found the funny witch picture?
-
It is all typical of ethnic groups that have come here over our whole history. I, too, can remember whole sections of cities that were all Italian, all Irish, all Chinese, and so on and on. Whole towns have been started up and settled by Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Spanish and so on and on. As the original generations die off, the younger generations intermarry and become throughly Americanized. You have to be rigid in your rules to keep your own kind in your own community and others out. The Amish have done this, and health-wise it has been their loss, as there are genetic problems in their communities now. It would seem that Biologically we really should mix it up good.
-
I guess I was lucky.. My paternal line came in the 1600's, so although we knew we were ethnic Dutch and German, it was not important to my parents or grandparents. My Mother was adopted, but by a Norwegan and German, so they made an agreement not to use either culture to raise their daughter.
I still feel that German, Italian, Irish, etch etch came here because they wanted the freedom and opportunity here. Their children assimilated for the most part.. The Muslims wont.. and that is that for them.. I see it here all the time..When I owned the tourist store, I actually had muslim men come in my store to get a job for their wife or daughter. They could not believe that I would not hire anyone that did not speak english or come in in person for a job.. I have had them scream at me.. I was prejudiced. I once went into a little convenience store to get a quart of milk.. I only had a 20.00. gave it to the clerk and he said.. NO CHANGE... and took it. I said. then give it back to me.. He shook his head no.. I got out my cell phone and told him last chance, I was going to call 911... I gave him the milk and he made the ugliest face I have ever seen and gave it back. As I left, I told him , I would never visit his store again and would tell all my neighbors what he had done..And I did.
-
I think with the Muslims it has to do with their religion. Their religion is the biggest part of their life.
-
"Their children assimilated for the most part."
As a rule, it took three generations for most immigrant groups to assimilate. The parents didn't: the second generation was in the middle: some assimilated, others didn't. But the third generation was pretty well assimilated. That was certainly true in my father's Italian family: he (second generation) was completely assimilated, but his brothers and sisters whom I met spoke English with an accident and lived in Italian neighborhoods.
It's too early to know how the Muslim immigrants will fit in. The few I know fit in fine, although it's sometimes hard for them. Please don't let one encounter with a nasty person put you off a whole people. Every group has nasty people in it. I cant imagine his fellow immigrants liked dealing with him any more than you did.
-
You may want to read While Europe Slept by Bruce Bawer. It is about Muslim immigration into Europe.
-
I think I finally got my log-in problem fixed...keep your fingers crossed.
-
We should not compare the newly arrived Muslims with ourselves at all, especially the men. We should put ourselves in their shoes and remember they really and truly feel that ANY woman and ALL women are not in any way equal to men. Women are of a lower, stupid order and must be ruled and managed by men. They do not see it as a wrong to take advantage of a stupid female; it is their privilege so to do.
Living in our culture will eventually teach the immigrants what is and is not allowed here. Their children will learn much faster, and I agree, by the third generation they should be pretty well assimilated. As far as the RELIGION itself is concerned, remember we already had EIGHT MILLION American born and raised citizens who belong to the Nation of Islam and attend mosques. They are just as red, white and blue as are we.
I remember when I was a small child, long before any question of Civil Rights was raised, I thought no thoughts at all about the status quo. In my home town, black children went to a different school (and I never even SAW it! Small town, and I never saw it!) and attended different churches (I did know where these were) and could not eat in public with white people. This was our culture, and I never questioned it. It just was. Now, I shudder at how we were.
-
Redfield Farm is the name of the clunker Boook Club picked for next month,. I missed the meeting since I am recovering from arthrosopy on my knee. I cannot find a lot of fault with it, it is just blah and predictable. Some stupid sex scnes feturing manly chests and rippling muscles. But it does give a picture, highly colored, of the underground reailway in the nineteenth centtury and the work of the Society of Friendsl.
-
I just finished Hilary Mantel's BRING UP THE BODIES. Wow, can that woman write!
Easier to read than Wolf Hall, but just as good. I now have Alison Weir's THE LADY IN THE TOWER; THE FALL OF ANNE BOLEYN waiting to be read. Weir apparently gives a somewhat different slant on who started the accusations against Boleyn.
Marj
-
I mentioned i'd "join" Artsy.com that sends info about art to your mailbox in order to see what "join" means. It is just a means of their being able to send paintings and info to your mailbox. Open Culture is a creditable site which was why i was willing to try it. Most of the paintings i've seen have appeared to be contempoary, but i know very little about art other than the masters. Some of you who are more knowledgable may appreciate them. Altho today's link was to some Picasso.
http://art.sy/gene/fractured-geometry
This morning's open culture news letter has another "gift" for art lovers - 65 modern art books online.
http://www.openculture.com/2012/01/free_the_guggenheim_puts_65_modern_art_books_online.html
-
The open culture site looks interesting. Thanks, Jean.
-
Well, we had the vote of the 8 nominated titles for November discussion - and narrowed the list to three. We held a run-off election - only to find the results way to close to call. Here's what we decided to do.
The Hobbit (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=3566.0) November Book Club Online discussion. Join us today! HERE (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=3566.0)
*************************************************
Travels with Herodotus January Book Club Online Discussion by Ryszard Kapuscinski
Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof - for consideration in March (if there is still interest)
-
I guess I would be more inclined to give muslims a pass if it were not for the cases of teen daughtesr being murdered for shaming their fathers or brothers.. and female circumsion.. Both things that are against the law and in some areas, they want to called the law Sharia and do it.. Wrong..
Assimilation was slow but sure up to now.. I am not quite sure about the newest immiigration patterns. The original immigrants came to this country to be come citizens and buy land, make money and be free. I dont find this in the recent immigration patterns.
-
Its true - few farmers but in the US today hardly anyone can be a farmer - land is mostly owned by large operations - now the Mexican will work the land and do any number of jobs requiring physical labor and they live closer to the profile of past groups that emigrated to the US but I think the only Muslims that can afford to make the trip are city folks but whose education is not acknowledged and they really have to start over.
I know religion is the rational but it drives me up the wall to see all these girls and women in head-coverings - we have not seen Catholic Nuns in the streets wearing their traditional ancient head-covering garb for over 40 years now and so to see a whole female population dress like nuns - I am of the opinion 'When in Rome...' sort of thing and so that, and what it represents, making women a separate class tries my patience.
I also think Muslims would do themselves a huge favor and either video or have a special on PBS filming one of their services - that seems to take away the jaundiced look - as long as a religious service is held private and therefore, secret to the rest of us we can only use our imaginations that adds to a negative viewpoint if we shared a negative experience - I saw that once the Catholic Mass was on TV there was a change in how they were tolerated in those areas of the nation that had a big problem - of course it did help to have John F. Kennedy elected as president.
I want to know where and how do Islamic women worship - from what I observe the Mosque is for men.
-
Our conversation about Muslims could have taken place, with almost identical statements, throughout U.S. history just with an exchange of ethnic groups. Ben Franklin was condemning of those gutteral speaking, uncouth Germans who continued to speak German in their churches and fraternal clubs and publish German language papers, and those Grman-related activities continued for many generations. The Irish, starting in the 18th century and continuing through many waves of immigration, were condemned as drinking papists, ruled by Rome, not by the constitution. Similar anger was addressed to Italians and we know many are still being branded at first sight, or hearing of their names, as Mafiosa. There are still many German, Irish and Italian fraternities, clubs and celebrations.
As waves of Eastern European and Russian immigrants began to come at the turn of the 20th century and into the 20th century, their "strange" (different from those people already here) language, clothes, food, religions and religious celebrations etc. made them victims of derision and worse. many were labeled as Socialists or Communists who threatened our capitalism, because some of them were, but more so because countries they emigrated from had become thus. Many of them were actually vehemently against those ideologies.
The trend has continued as there are new immigrants or emigration within the country - Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and now Arabs, Muslims, India-Indians, etc. because they have each been "the other", someone who is different from the general society.
All of us had ancestors who at sometime were "the other", members of the new immigration and not looked on fondly by those already here - even those of us who have ancestors who came in the 17th and 18th centuries.......the Native Americans had many unkind things to say and do about them, including that they were hairy and smelly and knew nothing about how to survive in the wilderness and had only one god!
I just wanted to purport that our conversation is not a new one. It's very typical and should be undrstood from an historical, sociological perspective........... Just the 50 years of being a teacher coming out...... ;D
-
You know, I think we should bear in mind that 'freedom of religion' is one of the very
things that have always attracted immigrants to our country. Sure, the traditional Muslim
women dress differently than we do; it's what they are comfortable with. There will naturally
be changes with each new generation. It would be nice if we could stop repeating the same
pattern with each wave of immigration; ie, treating them as lesser beings. They are only
required to obey our laws, not to drastically alter their way of life to something we are
comfortable with.
Well said, JEAN!
-
I find that a good many retail owners that are Korean...IE Oriental and the Indian who own small shops are quite different than the usual store owners. I have also stayed in motels that were Indian all the way through.. I am always disappointed in the motels.. Thin towells, small soap, grudging behaviour and the ability here in Disney land to actually try to charge extra for the TV, mattress. etc. I volunteered for a while with the visiters bureau and the complaints were eye opening.. I also remember in my teeny used book store, we had Korean and VietNamese neighbors store people.. They were quite difficult to be in a small center with. They park directly in front of their stores, since this is customary in their countries, but in the US is a direct NO>. The viet Namese with the food store tried to use our back parking lot as a place to dry and cure vegetables and got really incensed with the association turned them into the board of health, but we talked and talked to them and they would just turn and walk away.. Then we had a vietnamese nail place open. The man who owned it was a village elder in Viet Nam.. He was a horrible old man.. accused my husband of keying his car ... would barge into our store looking for a granddaughter who liked to visit and read and tell me that he would call the police. I finally got mad one day, called the police myself and made a formal complaint.. Then he tried to say we attacked him.. We ended up in court several months later, but he never showed up. It was a serous mess.
-
My DIL has a good friend who is originally from Turkey, married to an American, sons are typical American boys. She dresses like any suburban mom and swims regularly with my DIL. I didn't even know she was Muslim until DIL told me that she wasn't swimming during Ramadan because of the fasting and no food or drink passing her lips. I thought that was real committment.
-
If a headscarg is worn as a symbol of the value of modesty, I can understand, given some of the outfits I see on our teenagers and een older women. I think we cannot understand the deep revulsion of Muslims at the degree of immodesty in dress that permeates so much of "Western" society . To kids today, the ultimate compliment on appearance is "sexy" . I still cannot get over the thong bathing suit!
Then again, the implication of the full length burkha seems to relate the female body to nothing but a teomptation to sin.
We have a very respected physician in our town, a Muslim, who came years ago and raised a family here. One day he was eating ouch in the hospital cafeteria when his 19 year old daughter came in, looking for him. Even with her headscare, her beauty was so "deop dead" gorgeious that every eye in the place turned to her, and there was an andible "buzz" of admiration. The doctor was furious. I think an American father might have a very different reaction.
The mosque in our town has a women's gallery for worship. A sort of carved screen runs across thfront, protecting the women form looks of the men.
Yes, a huge gap separates us, with regard to the status of women. it will be interesting to watch how the second and third generation of girsl adapt or "submit".
-
I object strongly to the burkas, but not to scarves and head coverings. I object to Muslim women feeling they are FORCED to wear headcovering, but not to their WANTING to wear it.
It seems only yesterday we could not go into a church in this country without something on our heads. I can remember grabbing a kleenex out of my purse and sticking that on my head with a bobby pin to enter a church just to see the stained glass during a weekday!
How quickly we forget.
Every mosque has a section for women. Every one of them. Some Christian religions used to separate the sexes; they may still, for all I know. So did the Jews; I think the Orthodox.
All of us People of The Book, i.e., those who descended from Abraham, the Jews, Christians of every stripe, and the Muslims, have a common ancestry and lots of like traditions.
-
When you see photos of folks in the street in the middle east back just before WWII through the 50s very very few women have their heads covered and no signs of a burka with almost as many women in the streets many in western clothing as there are men wearing their tunic like shirts over their pants or their long thwab or kandora - and so all this covering from head to foot as well as head scarves as a must for women has emerged in the last 40 to maybe 50 years.
I understand different culture - differences in religion - even differences in dress - what my reaction to the head scarves is about is it represents women who will follow the dictates of men so much that some even revel in choosing to wear them that reminds me of the housewife of the 50s who actually rooted for her place as the doormat for society and her family.
It sounds like some of you have been allowed into a mosque - I was turned away because i was a women and so my assumption has been women are not allowed - I still think seeing a service would allow better understanding.
As to Asians - yes, their ways are different but I notice that there are more differences based on their economic place in their homeland - but listening or rather asking after knowing them a bit about the stories of how they lived and what they had to do to come here - not just those from Viet Nam either - whew - I had spoken with several from Indonesia that are my age and during WWII she and her mother lived off berries etc. hiding in the forests from the soldiers who would only have raped her - and another younger who was the daughter of a women used by our soldiers and the mother begged one of the soldiers to marry the daughter (age 12) to bring her here - he did but when I helped them sell their house there was a secret closet in the brickwork for the fireplace that was where she said she could hide. And a young woman from China who grew up without her mother because she was a Doctor, sent to a labor camp and then to a poor section of China while her father, a professor was sent to jail. These stories go on and on and they must keep learning new ways to survive.
I also found that many cannot read or if they can they cannot read English and everything is coming at them so they easily get angry - it is their only protection - they are trying to exist the only way they know and are angry and confused so they shut down and are not open to learning yet, one more new way. It is a problem but one that I can only imagine takes patience and finding someone who can explain in their language. Someone who they will respect.
-
I confess to knowing very little about Islam. But a couple of years ago, we went to a one-day Elderhostel on learning about Islam at a newly built mosque in Atlanta. The only requirement was that we remove our shoes on entering. There were probably more women than men in the group. None of the group was allowed in the main worship space, but we were allowed to look into the room. We were served a lovely lunch by women of the congregation, although all the program was done by men. Men and women did worship separately. In that short length of time, we really got just a smattering of information, but it was interesting in any case. If anyone was interested enough, those of us in larger cities could probably find a mosque willing to talk to a group about Islam and their mosque/congregation.
One interesting fact we did get was that each mosque is a separate entity, usually initially funded and supported by one or a small group of men wealthy enough to do so. And that group made the decisions for the congregation and decided how the funds were to be spent.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I know when my husband and I were in Cairo, our guide took us to a very famous Mosque ( very very beautiful). We were issued ( the female guide and I ) a long robe, long sleeve with a hood and clips to secure it at the door. Took off our shoes and put it on..But about half way through the tour, an old old man came roaring up and screamed at us for being infidels ( in English, I note) and made us leave.. The guide was as scared as I was and she later called her home office to see what had happened and I received a written apology from the Tourist Bureau..seems the old man was some sort of local loon.
-
What a pity, STEPH. Were you able to see the mosque before you left?
-
Only about half of the mosque and it truly was lovely.. I think possibly called The Blue Mosque or the Citadel??? I honestly dont remember. I know after that although we had been scheduled for another of that type, we opted out and opted to go back to the Cairo museum.. dirty filthy dark but oh the treasures and I had followed good advice and take flashlights to see by.. No air either. Whew..
-
A dark and dirty museum? Shame on the management!
-
This was 2002.. ten years ago and supposedly the government built a new museum with air conditioning, etc. Who knows with all of the problems they have had in Cairo. The treasures are breathtaking..So hopefully every thing is safe. The Egyptian government is not into upkeep. They build stuff and then ignore it..The statues outside the old museum were priceless and simply strewn around the outside of the building. They have so much and dont seem to value it.
-
Lack of education and therefore an appreciation of History no doubt leads to this dreadful neglect. It astonishes me that the parts of the world that began civilization are now the areas where they have let go or are in the process of letting go of knowledge. I just can't figure it out.
-
I've come to realize we are all like kids in a candy shop with just enough money for one piece of candy but the case is filled with all kinds of tempting goodies - many of us are guilty of thinking what we do not have is what we need rather than making more of and celebrating more of what we already do have.
Seems to me when we polish up and use what we do have brainstorms happen and if nothing else we gain a joy of caring for what we have and we gain enjoyment from using it so that we feel gratitude and from that others want to be in our presence and if a nation others want to trade with where there is pride in how they trade and what they trade - all to see I see greed for what they do not have as the anxiety as this part of the world lets its riches be secondary to its run for power - even fighting for a form of democracy where the voices of the many want to be heard the many seem more focused on what they do not have and not on taking care of with pride what they do have.
Unfortunately they are not alone - seems to me we all do a good job of wanting more without really using and caring for to the fullest what we already have down to hearing how some are bemoaning winter without the colors of their garden unable to realize how to enjoy the lace-work the trees become empty of leaves silhouetted against the sky. Sorry for the philosophy but I just received a series of emails that all were filled with doom and gloom and your posts him me how easy it is to disregard what we have.
-
I want to thank the person (whoever you are) who recommended The Uncommon Reader. I just finished it (only 125) pages and utterly charming. It's about Queen Elizabeth accidentally discovering a "bookmobile" parked in the rear of the Palace, and consequently her discovery of the love of reading. It was a quick easy read which is just what I needed as I have been having a difficult couple months (car wreck, tooth abscess, etc) and couldn't really concentrate on anything too heavy or too long. The main thing is that I was not injured in the wreck, and I will see an oral surgeon on Tuesday.
Sally
-
Oh Sally, I do wish you luck at the oral surgeon.. I have had at least four abcesses in my life ( crumbly teeth) and hate it.
Early voting started yesterday and I went and voted.. only about 45 minutes wait which is going to be par for the course in Florida, The legislature in all of their stupidity decided to reduce early voting to 8 days from 14.. But they really worried ( ha) about people voting who arent legal.. Sigh.. Our legislature this last two years borders on incredible stupidity.. and the governor is even worse.
-
Re Florida reducing the time for early voting, you have no doubt heard about many of the states with majority Republican party legislatures doing their best to limit the ability of minorities and younger people to vote by limiting voting days, requiring impossible to get ID, etc. These are the people who are most likely to vote the Democratic party. I am beginning to think these legislatures do not want our country to be a democratic republic. Sad.
Marj
-
What is the rationale for early voting, anyway? I'd be afraid that early votes can get lost, stolen or tampered with more easily because there is more time for unscrupulous types to figure out how to fudge the system. At any rate, why would anyone need more than a week in very populated areas for early voting? Oh, and silly question, about absentee voting and voter ID. If you must have ID for in person voting, what do absentee voters have to do?
-
I voted by mail, and found there were several warnings about proper use of the vote. One had to sign a statement swearing
that this was your vote, that no one else had voted for you or influenced you. The signature had to match the one they
already had, tho' I don't know how much time they would give to double-checking the signatures. You also had to sign
a particular place on the return envelope after it was stuffed and sealed. The signature ran across the closure, so it could
they could tell if the envelope had been tampered with.
-
I voted by mail also. this was the first time I did that so I'm hoping the vote gets counted. I guess I will never know. By voting by mail they will automatically send me ballots for other elections.
-
We have early voting. We always vote early, in person, just in case something should happen to keep us from the polls on election day. In our county,we mark circles on a paper ballot, and slide it ourselves in a counting machine as we check out. Seems very straightforward to me. I told the surgeon's office,they could schedule my surgery any time after early voting started and I got to vote.
-
Ours is electronic. Touch screen to check who you want to vote for.
-
The rationale for early voting is mainly that our population has just gotten too humongous to allow us all to vote in one day without going to the expense of adding a lot of voting places complete with personnel and machines. It is less expensive and more helpful to the public to set up early voting. This enables folks to vote who would find it impossible on the Tuesday, and supposedly shortens the lines and the waiting in line. This year the last part has not worked out. Today's paper shows lines out the door and down the blocks in D.C. and Maryland. Huge numbers turning out, I suppose worried about the coming of Sandy.
-
Early voting was started and encouraged by employers who no longer had to give 3 hours off to their workers so they could vote with some giving them half a day and a few the entire day - since its conception we can justify it for many other reasons, one of the biggest was mentioned it is less expensive for the county with fewer voting centers.
-
Employers give/gave time off to vote? I worked for 36 years in public education, and nobody ever gave me time off to vote. Huh...
I only heard of that with political jobs...where who won or lost depended on some dept. head's job.
Interesting.
-
Well IBM gave the 3 hours that many used as rest time at home - and my cousin married a guy with the electric department and he had his 3 hours - now store clerks used to complain because their shifts were simply altered so they had time either early or late - one of my first jobs was as a keypunch operator and they teased me because I was not old enough to vote so I had to hold down the fort so to speak.
-
As I said, I'd never heard of it, except for political jobs, but obviously you had experience with companies that did allow that.
jane
-
I too have never heard of anyone in any job being given time off to vote. That's why the lines are so long in the morning before the polls open with people hoping to vote and get to work on time. Sometimes people would get there early and still not get in fast enough and have to return after work and stand in line again. If you had to wait until after work you could be standing outside for a very long time even though the poll workers had things set up to weave lines thought out buildings trying to provide inside waiting space as the weather isn't always that pleasant. If you are in line when the polls close, you are still allowed to vote no matter how long it takes. Last presidential election since people now had cell phones they were ordering pizzas/sub sandwiches and having them delivered while they waited. At the early voting sites there are long lines every day but nothing like election day and hopefully the lines will be shorter then. Since I've retired I've always voted absentee for a variety of reasons - avoid the lines and weather, not have to worry about being home on election day, and knowing that if I vote absentee I help shorten the wait for others.
Because certain politicians are the process of trying to force voter ID, when I requested the absentee ballots (by mail) this year I had to send a copy of my driver's license. No further comment!
Mary
-
wow all these un-American places of business I had no idea - and yes, this was before cell phones - before there was any mail in or early voting which I think only started in the last couple of elections - it used to be a big joke among many married folks who as I said with a wink went home for a 3 hour rest.
-
As far as I know, it has always been the law here in Maryland and Virginia that your employer had to allow you time off to vote. With pay. Mine always did. I used to go on my way to work, just to make sure I got to vote, and if the lines were long I had no worries about being late to work: I would get there when I got there and no blame laid on me. I guess I always assumed it was a national law.
http://www.bizfilings.com/toolkit/sbg/office-hr/managing-the-workplace/voting-time-off.aspx
-
I never heard of an employer giving time off to vote either. I've been lucky enough to go to a voting place that doesn't seem to be piled up with people. Of course, since I used to work evenings, I didn't have to go early or late. I usually go around 9am-10am. Also, I think my ward is rather small compared to many others.
-
I can't imagine factory workers ever being allowed time off to vote. They've always had a difficult time getting off the line for anything other than an emergency, and for sure they are docketed for every minute they don't work, even worse if they are piece workers. I know public school teachers do not get leave the building during the school day to vote or anything else without hiring a substitute. Now days many people don't even live in the same community where they work and you have to vote where you live. Two possible solutions that other countries use that don't seem to be considered here are: voting on Sundays when most people don't work, or having the polls open 24 hours so that no matter what your work hours are you have access. Early voting (and here early voting hours are including Saturdays) and easier access to absentee ballots are allowing many more people the opportunity to vote.
Mary
-
I use early voting because I dislike voting absenteee..
-
I worked for large ins. cos. and they certainly didn't give you "time off to vote". On the other hand, you weren't "docked" pay for being late either, as time sheets were basically all the same, and you could make a notation by the day you came in late (VOTED) and I guess that counted for something.
-
For a long time California law has required employers to grant employees as much time off to vote as needed. Two hours of that time will be paid. Employees must tell the employer of the need for time off at least two work days before election day, and the time off must be at the beginning or end of the shift.
I have to laugh at the political party that insists that everything must be left up to the states to decide. Only the more progressive states will do anything.
Marj
-
Back in the olden days in Puerto Rico there were very few "voter registration" days, so folks tended to keep their registration in the same place, even though the moved to other parts of the island. Therefore employers had to give the workers three days off if necessary -- a day to travel to their voting location, a day to vote, and a day to come back home.
Things have changed there somewhat and there are now more days to register. But as far as I know, election day is still a holiday.
The last year I was there I was teaching at one of the parochial schools which was going to be used for voting. The booths were put in place about two weeks before the election, and then the headmaster, afraid that there might be trouble between the various parties, closed the school until after the election. There were some unhappy parents over that.
-
When we lived in Mass... the school gym and auditorium were the voting places for the entire town.You came in and they sorted you into districts in various parts of the building.Therefore, the high school got the day off. No idea if the others did or not.
Here in Florida, we tend to use libraries, townhalls, etc
In NH, we used the old townhall, which did not have heat... So voting was brisk to put it mildly.
-
We still vote in the school gyms in Massachusetts, but the kids do not get t day off. The Parents' groups hold a huge bake sale in the hallway.
In begger cities, there are allsorts of polling places, but small towns keep it in the schools.
-
They used to do that here, too, but the schools are too crowded now and there are no spare rooms for voting. So, they use the pavilion at a park, the jail, the fairgrounds, etc.
jane
-
Here in the UK we always used to vote in schools, but at the last council elections it was a portakabin in the car park of a local business park - seemed fine to me, and saved all those parents having to find yet another day's childcare. I think the last time I voted in Aberdeen it was in the church hall, also fine by me.
Rosemary
-
The Jail?? Hmm, I would rather not go there even to vote.
-
Thinking of some of the politicians, it seems appropriate, somehow!! ::) :o
-
did anyhone see the PBS interview with Bill Ivey a couple of nights ago, abouti his book Handmaking America? it is nonfiction and tries to sbuild a case for going back to basics in the cutltural values of the country. I am sure his edieas will be dismissed as kooky, but he envisons a new way of life, one not construted around earning and spending money as the American Dream, but more bsed on the constructive use of leisure;, that education should be based on making citizens first, workers second, not just feeding workers into the business world. Is the American Dream that the politicians extoll nothing but earning money and spending it on things? If not, then what is the American Dream? do you hve your wn version of it, like Bill Ifey?
The most horrifying part of Cloud Atlas was the futuristic society where all religions Catholicism, Judaism, even Islam have been replaced by Consumerism, and T.V. has become AdV, not content for entertainment or enlightenment, just commercials to help people decide what to buy next.
-
Yes, the Uncommon Reader is really a good fast read. I had not heard of it couple years ago and just happened to notice on the library shelf mentioning Queen Elizabeth. I can see her doing just that thing. Doubt she would mention it to Philip. He has his hobbies and she has hers, being dogs and horses. They do say that Philip doesn't like dogs.
-
I read somewhere that Philip doesnt dislike dogs,, just the corgi..But Elizabeth also for some reason indulges her corgi in unacceptable behavior. I would guess that her dogs and horses are her one place where she can do as she likes.. She lives a lonely life in many ways.
-
Or maybe she uses the dog's unacceptable behavior as a substitute of sorts for not being able to 'act out' herself. ;D
If you'd like to know more about Prince Phillip's activities, here's a link. I had no idea, and he is 91!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2189525/The-haunting-reason-Prince-Philip-refuses-slow-down.html
-
I voted today. My town just has one place for early voting, but it is a very convenient, very large centralized place with lots of parking. There were TEN (10) regular voting booths there and, off in a corner near the elevator, a handicapped voting booth. You see, we stand up at our regular booths, but this one was all set up for sit down in a wheel chair or chair. And they had space for lined up wheel chairs and vacant chairs for non-wheelchair handicapped to sit in line in. Most thoughtful, I thought. There was a very long line, but it only took me about an hour to get through it. It was all very efficient and well run. Everyone working the polls seemed to take Nice Pills.
If you read the web site I posted a while back, you saw for yourselves that it really and truly is the law in almost every state in the union that employers give paid time off for voting, but, there being 50 states, each has its law written up in a slightly different way from every other. That is why the site I posted shows a map and you can click on any state and it will list that state's rules for you.
Probably most employees have never known this, and I am sure most employers don't go out of their way to enlighten them. I have always known because in my work as a comptroller for a number of firms, the Human Resources stuff was something I had to know backwards and forwards. We used to call it the Personnel Department, but everything changes. Sort of reminds me of when janitors became maintenance engineers.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
You are back, MaryPage. I was wondering how you fared during the storm.
-
It was just the same old, same old average hurricane for us. I was never without power, but DID lose Comcast, so I had no land telephone, no cable television (which is all I have), and no WiFi; ergo, no internet or email.
Now they are back, and so am I!
-
That does sound like a very thoughtful provision for the handicapped and physically feeble,
MARYPAGE. Since I voted early by mail, I don't really know what provision, if any, was made
here. It would be great if all voting sites made similar arrangements.
-
Voting. I remember as a young person inDelaware where I grew up, that the entire area had the day off on Election Day, but that seems to have stopped all over.. My mother was a national committe woman and so I was a volunteer at the voting booths in our little town. I took down the name of every single voter as they came in and a runner came in once an hour and took them, Then they weeded them out by party and called their particular party members if they had not voted yet. Very efficient..
-
Remember when election day was a big deal and there was a non-cook buffet for the evening meal and everyone was all festive - there was always a white coconut covered president's cake for desert and folks came rushing into the house with the latest news as to how the vote was going and what was counted - store windows were decorated in bunting with bunting across the hallway as we entered school - it was one of thise important holidays like Armistice day that is no more.
-
Barb...I think those traditions must vary with the state/neighborhood. There were never any buffets, etc. in my neighborhood of Ohio as a child. Election Day was a workday for my Dad, and the only thing different about it was the talk of the election and then waiting around for radio, and then TV results of the election. I do recall small American flags outside the polling places to kind of designate where they were...school or firehouse or whatever.
It seems that this year we've gotten a lot more paper mailings...in addition to the endless telephone calls and purported "surveys" [which really aren't...they just want you to agree with their statements ] from the various candidates or those endorsing candidates. They run into 10-12 a day some days. The mail is full of these fancy, colored mailings...over and over again.
jane
-
I loved it, when you listened to the radio to find results. It took all night and we always stayed up, had a cold supper and listened to who was who.. Took days then.. I like that better than this instant stuff.
But now.. I just want it to be over. My phone rings constantly and since the numbers are blocked, I wont even answer it.. My mail is full of junk..The tv is bursting with stupid commercials for both sides. Oh the hate.. It makes me so uncomfortable.
-
Re those who are getting constant political telephone calls before the election, you might want to consider my solution to unwanted calls -- an unlisted number.
I agree with Steph, I don't like the instant reporting of the winner/winners. I have a feeling that the outcome might be delayed this year since it will be a close one, and because of the Sandy storm and also a lot of problems in some states with who is or is not eligible to vote.
I'm on pins and needles, tho,' waiting for Tuesday.
Marj
-
I rather desperately want it all to be over and the results agreed upon, but I am afraid I agree that it may take days, if not weeks or months, to finally settle the outcome.
My stomach ties up in knots, and I am trying to lose myself in World Without End, which I am now more than half way through. I am now so familiar with the huge cast of characters that I found myself curious as to who plays whom in the new mini-series. So I Googled List Cast of World Without End, and it did just that for me. It also gives a thumbnail sketch of who they are and what they do, and Lo! The screen writers have changed things around IMMENSELY, and I am very much afraid I will not like the series any more than I liked the mini-series of Pillars Of The Earth, which World Without End is sequel to. Sigh! So very frustrating. However, I will watch the mini-series, just to see what they do with the plot and the people.
-
I ran the list also and only recognized 4 stars. Can't watch it because I don't have TV Cable. May try to read the book later. Usual for me not to finish reading this kind of book. Find I skip to many pages of the boring stuff.
-
I just finished a book called The Meryl Streep Movie Club. I really, really enjoyed it as I am a big fan of Meryl Streep. Those of you who like her and her movies would enjoy this book. Now I find myself searchin for her movies on tv and dvr ing them. There were a couple mentioned in this book that I had not seen.
Sally
-
Oh I just want this all to be over. The tv is solid commercial just now.. I dont even try to answer my house phone. It is always blocked, which means political, so I just let it go..Thank heaven for the cell phone.That doesnt get the nuisance calls.
-
I was somewhat amused by the remark by one commentator that the Romney team were already
getting Sandy ready as an excuse...presumably for poor showings. I frankly admit I am not
a Romney fan, at all.
-
If a lot of the people on the east coast cannot vote, there will be screams from whoever would have won those areas. Thank heavens sanity prevailed in canceling the NY Marathon. Now to see how they handle Tuesday.
jane
-
Apparently they are working to get polling places operational in some form or other. They are also going to allow online voting in certain areas too, but don't ask me how they plan on doing that.
-
The only thing to do is turn off the TV. But then there is the telephone. I've had so many robocalls that it was a really big surprise to find a real "legitimate" person on the other end. Unfortunately, she was calling to extol the virtues of our "can't-get-pregnant-with-legitimate-rape" senatorial candidate. That did not go over well here.
-
What is wrong with these men.. I cannot believe some of the stuff that has been said by ignorant males who have lots of opinions of what a woman can and cannot do with her body and how rape does not seem in their eyes to be all that bad.. Makes you wish that a man could be raped.. I know.. I know.. but darn it all, this is so stupid..
-
A man can't be physically raped, but if someone were to humiliate him as badly as a woman is humiliated by rape, you'd
find a very different attitude. THEN, he'd feel homicide was perfectly justified! Fortunately, if I ever knew a guy like that,
I didn't know it. The men in my family would be just as disgusted with that 'ignorant male' as I am. I just hope they are
only a very small minority now.
-
A man can be raped. It's done in prisons all the time.
-
Oh, of course, JERIRON. Where was my mind? :-[ :-\ I think, tho', that my impression of a male's reaction to
humiliation is accurate, and you would think any intelligent male could see how hurtful it would be to a woman as well.
Obviously, the guy who made that outrageous statement about rape does not fit in that category, IMO.
-
Marjifay... Please check the personal Messages here. I've sent you some information about an email I received this morning that is supposed to look as if it's from you, but I don't think it is.
jane
-
The men who have made these outrageous statements are politicians who will probably get elected or reelected back into office. That's the sad part.
-
Jane mentioned getting an email that looks like its from Marji, i've had several of those over the last couple of months. They had the name of younger members of the family, all of whom call me Aunt, so when the preview came up saying "Jean", i knew it wasn't from them. The person who is the supposed sender needs to change their password to their email.
Hope everybody is planning to vote, whatever the format......happy day.
-
Unless Marjifay IS in Mexico at the moment, I think this is a variation on the one that some may recall...says a person is in a foreign country and needs help, etc. Anyway I didn't respond to it, but posted here where I know it's legit.
jane
-
I got a lot of those this last summer.. But when I check the actual email, it is not the person they say it is.. Some sort of scammer, no doubt. My granddaughter does not call me Stephanie nor does either of my sons.. so that made me stop and look.
-
Per Jane, "Unless Marjifay IS in Mexico at the moment, I think this is a variation on the one that some may recall...says a person is in a foreign country and needs help, etc. Anyway I didn't respond to it, but posted here where I know it's legit."
Jane, that message was NOT from me. Someone hacked into my computer and sent it to everyone on my email list. I imagine if anyone anwered it, he would have then asked for money! My virus protection service is up to date; we checked, and there is no virus in my computer. I then changed my email account and password. Hopefully this will not happen again.
Marj
-
Election Day is here at long last, and I am hunkering down at work in my daughter's home. This awful economy has just about done in my son-in-law's construction business, and three and a half years ago, in May 2009, he had to let his bookkeeper of 19 years go and take this old retired lady on for free. I have also put all of my spare cash into trying to keep things going. We finally moved out of the offices he had leased for over a quarter of a century and into their dining room and basement. My bookkeeping office is in the dining room and he is in the basement. Two cats keep him company. Mostly he is out trying to get work. ANY work to keep us going until things pick up.
I hope it will be all over tonight, but my rational mind tells me it will be days before we know, if not weeks or even months. My tummy is in a turmoil.
Yes, men can get raped, and they hate it. But they still do not equate it with women. That awful guy who put up the "personhood" bill, a married man who looks to be in his sixties, was asked in an interview if he had considered pregnancy from the WOMAN'S point of being there, and he admitted he had never done so; never for a nanosecond. A fertilized egg that is not as big as the period at the end of this sentence is to become, through law, more important than a woman who has lived 13 to 45 years and been a good daughter, person, wife, mother, or whatever. She can die, but the unknown "person" must be preserved at all costs, including, possibly, her life.
-
There are so many things I would like so much to see our news anchors say out loud, but they never do. There are so many things doctors could go on television and say, but they do not, as far as I have seen or heard. Newspapers could include these facts when they write up the latest story regarding a pompous ass speaking out about what utterly fantastical things my woman's body can do, but the print media shuts up. I guess it is because men own most of the media, whatever form it takes.
When I sound so angry and anti-man, I should tell you I had 3 husbands, each of whom died of a different kind of cancer: prostate, colon and melanoma. They were all for women and women's rights and the ERA and pro-Choice, and encouraged me when I went to every demonstration in Washington, D.C. over the decades. I have 3 sons who are totally into equality of the sexes.
One thing I would like to tell these men Tina Fey describes so deliciously is that hundreds of millions of fertilized eggs are lost down toilets every month of every year. These are eggs which have been fertilized in the fallopian tubes, but pass right through the uterus without being successful in attaching themselves to a spot there. Fact. Ask any OB/GYN.
So are these persons? If so, what god consigned them to end their short lives in the sewage pits of this world?
-
Re spam being sent to your entire address book: Years ago, someone suggested putting a non-e-mail address as the first "name" in your listing (I use something like 0000@xyz.pdq). When that fails to go anywhere, the rest of the list is cancelled, too. I don't know if that really works or not, but it doesn't hurt anything.
-
Marjifay: That is exactly what happened to me about a month ago. My dtr called early in the morning and told me NOT to open my emails. Someone had evidently hacked my e-mail account
and sent out e-mails to everyone on my list. What a mess to get that cleared up. My son-in-law
took about 2 hours to clean it up, change my e-mail account (new password, etc.)
JOY
-
seniorlearn is being very very balky this morning.
I am reading Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo..Someone recommende it here. It is good, but grim.. plus I am not entirely sympathetic to a female police chief, who drinks far too much and keeps losing it with suspects. Not a good image.
-
I'd have to agree with that, STEPH. Doesn't exactly help with our efforts to have women seen as capable in the tough
jobs. I imagine today's policewomen would not be at all happy with Castillo's female police chief.
-
Well, MaryPage, men can get raped, but they can't get pregnant from it.
I was so glad to hear Claire McCaskill won the U.S. Senate race in Missouri against that idiot Todd Akin who said a woman could not get pregnant from a legitimate rape.
Marj
-
Why don't doctors, or the AMA, come out and say that there is no "legitimate science" behind the idea of "legitimate rape"?
-
Probably because it was never about rape - it was about marginalizing women as if we were back in the 1950s just like they try to marginalize anyone who does not look like a white middle to upper class family with a stay-at-home mother, coming from a European background. The whole rape thing was reminiscent of a recent time when wives were raped all the time but since it was in the privacy of a home and a homemaker had no power it was ignored and if a rape happened in public it was the girls fault usually because of how she dressed, or that girls now show they are a sexual human being which was a no, no in the 50s. It was an attempt to shame so that women would hide rather than come out roaring as they did.
-
Men have been shaming women because of rape ever since the tale of Eve.
Haven't you known this ever since you understood what rape entails?
It is ALL the woman's fault, even if she is 12 years old and he is 6 feet tall and weighs 200 pounds to her 85. Little tart was asking for it.
I don't know how much your husbands told you, but I have had 3, all now dead, and they each admitted that men fantasize about raping women. Not the violent kind, always, though many do, but the 72 naked virgins in a beautiful garden in Paradise overindulgence in sex kind of thing.
It is hormonal, but it is much more than that. It is Power and Dominance and Consolation for feeling inferior or overlooked or neglected. It eases their urges to control other beings.
For the woman it is Betrayal, Loss of Control, Invasion of Privacy, Violation, Violence, Cruelty.
But their refusal to allow guilt to creep in makes men insist women really LOVE it!
-
I agree rape is not sex, but power..domination....because I can.. They use it as a weapon in many countries in Africa just now..
I was reading the other day that in Egypt, they are trying to form groups of people, male and female to stop males from grabbing and otherwise harassing women in Cairo.. Seems the police ignore it..
-
My 14 year old was pursued by a man driving a white van all the way up one of the main thoroughfares in Edinburgh recently - in the middle of the afternoon, broad daylight, very busy streets - he leant out of the window and shouted 'You can't get away, I'm going to stalk you' and she only got away by running into a shop. She does not even dress provocatively (though that would be no justification IMO). She has also been harrassed by men on the way home from school on the town bus (never on the train, which is thankfully taken almost exclusively by local workers and students on a daily basis). If it happens again I am going to ask the police what they suggest she should do about it. It infuriates me that these men - who no doubt think they are being hilariously funny in intimidating a young girl - can get away with it.
Rosemary
-
Rosemary, I honestly am of the opinion you should let the police know about this NOW.
Even if it never happens to your daughter again, this man is going to do it to SOMEONE. The police need a report of this first episode and as good a description as possible.
-
From what I read this morning, quite a few Republicans lost their seats because of such
extremist views. Obviously, they mis-read the public sentiments on these issues. Maybe now
the President won't have quite as much trouble getting the support of the Senate in backing
his programs.
Honestly, JOAN, I don't think the AMA would think the idiot worth a response.
ROSEMARY, I agree with MaryPage. A description of this man and the van should
go to the police. Sooner or later he could harm some young girl, if he hasn't already.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Yes, rosemary, tell the police NOW. Did your daughter get any info off the license plate, or a better description of the van, i.e. markings, signs, dents, etc.?
Don't let this go by. If not your daughter, someone else could get hurt, as Babi mentioned.
-
Unfortunately this happened in the summer, and no she didn't ge any details, but I have told her that if it happens again she needs to get the registration number, as I know from having contacted the police re traffic incidents in the past that they always say they can't do anything without a number plate. I just mentioned it here to highlight how even in this country women are harrassed and bothered every day. She sometimes gets men sitting next to her on the bus (this is at 4.30 in the afternoon, not in the middle of the night) saying 'can I take you home?' etc - bunch of creeps. She is a very shy 14 year old and the bus route is through a very respectable part of Edinburgh - lots of children from various Edinburgh schools use it daily. I think she has learned to ignore them or get up and move seats (if possible) but why should she be subject to this? People think Edinburgh is so smart and well-mannered, but it really is no different from anywhere else.
In another - not sexist related! - incident on the bus this week, a very strange person started tearing up pieces of paper and arranging them down the middle of the bus, then took out a lighter and was about to set fire to them when someone alerted the driver. The police were duly called. It all seems to happen on that bus!
Rosemary
-
Deviant behavior only increases with each incident - therefore to stop something before someone really gets harmed and even though your complaint may be set aside as not critical it will be on the books so that if and when that person acts out they have a profile - yes, too bad the only solution is jail rather than getting them early so they can get help but as it is now we do know that deviant behavior especially sexual behavior only increases and escalates with each successful encounter.
So Rosemary even now, months later it would be wise to stop into a police station and share at the desk your daughter's experience. They may be trained to only take complaints that can be written up but you can look them in the eye and remind them how they would feel if it were their daughter.
-
I agree. Rosemary, even if you can only tell them something like: "A white male, not a teen ager, but younger than my dad, and in a white van, approximately such and such a time on such and such a street," that might dovetail with other information they have from ANOTHER complaint and be of help to them. Maybe your daughter remembers even more details than I have illustrated here.
-
Your daughter was wise to see to her safety, rather than stop to get the number. Only AFTER she is safe, should she thinik of that.
-
It is sad.. My sons when they were young had infinite freedom all summer and holidays.. Now it seems you cannot pick up a paper without finding someone acting out and causing problems for others.. I know my granddaughter walks to her bus stop in the dark on streets with no sidewalks.. Her Dad is in law enforcement, so he has taught her how to protect herself, but I know she tries hard to find a ride first..
-
Times do seem to have changed, haven't they? I remember ranging all over my town and into the woods, and the neighbors often left doors unlocked never thinking or fearing to be burgled. So, the question is, was this always going on but not reported in the papers or not reported so far afield as today. Fast and very widespread communications have changed perceptions of the frequency of incidents, but have the incidents themselves increased along with the more widespread reporting of such? I think too, there is a change in how people react to and what people consider unacceptable behavior, especially with regard to verbal and physical attacks on women and children.
-
The Weird Bus....there's a story there somewhere, ROSEMARY. I do hope your daughter
doesn't have that experience again, but at least she will know to try and get the
registration number (I assume that's the same as our 'license plate') if it did.
I had a similar experience when I was about the same age. My parents decided, as a sign
that I was growing up, to allow me to go downtown alone on an occasional Saturday, eat out
(Coney Island, always!) and attend a matinee. That was lovely, right up until the day this
scroungy, dirty little man sidled up next to me as I was wallking down the street, and
muttered something to me. I didn't make out the words, but the intent was plain enough. I
quickly hurried on, but that took the fun out of the Saturday matinees. Didn't go again.
I assume such things did happen when we were young, FRYBABE, but surely not to the extent that they do today. From various things I've read, I gather that the increasing population with such crowded conditions, more homeless or alienated on the streets, etc., etc., that people do tend to become more callous and the world more dangerous.
-
Yes, but we did have the homeless and alienated - hobos abound in the 1930s and I am remembering how frequently drunks weaved along often holding up their pants that would slip and some using rope as a belt - during the 40s there were few men around and everyone was needed but then the men that were still here often felt disenfranchised not up to army standards so that each decade had the reasons we used to try to explain what has still not been really understood well enough to create a so called cure or an approach that works.
Recently saw a re-run of Private Practice when they were tackling the mental health of a pedophile while two of the doctors, on women and one man were both sexually abused when they were kids as the patient was but they too questioned how come some, like themselves wanted to do everything they could to protect kids from a similar experience where as others only acted out the abuse as if to relive and take control that they were unable to do when they were kids - with that show it was easy to see there is so much not understood and it is too easy for us to blame one issue or influence or impulse because we want some rational explanation.
So far we do know a few things and we can act upon what we do know - my biggest concern is we still prefer to keep this in the dark and not train kids who we think should be kept innocent as long as possible when what we are doing is keeping them ignorant and unprepared to take care of themselves. And then the challenge becomes how to prepare them without scaring them - just not enough ready available child rearing information on this topic.
-
Have you ever read a book where you couldn't decide if you liked it or not?
I'm reading A Woman's Place by Lynn Austin which is about four women who go to work in the ship building industry during WWII in Michigan. I'm enjoying the story of their lives, but I'm finding that in each situation that comes up they behave in what i would call a caricatured way. Nothing about the character's behaviors is surprising. There's the 50ish school teacher who quit her job to take care of her dying parents and then inherits a boatload of money. She's rigid, always remains "the teacher" w/ everyone she meets; there's the middle-class "doormat" who is discovering that nobody in her family has any appreciation of her housework; there's the Italian young woman from Brooklyn who has quickly married a sailor from Michigan and gone to live w/ his parents while he goes to war and, of course, his strict, religious parents are appalled at her behavior and she is bored to death; and an 18 yr old woman who has 5 brothers in the war and is saving as much money as she can to go to college after the war.
There is the supervisor who had polio and therefore not drafted who feels inferior because he's not fighting. They are harrassed by the men in the shipyard, by husbands, by in-laws, not surprisingly.
I guess what is keeping me reading is that the characters are well written and all are growing in their lives.
-
Jean it could be because she was only born in 1961 and can only write about the social issues of the 40s from her history research which can be accurate but she cannot bring the subtleties of how this played out or anything that is not already documented.
-
I used to love to hear stories from two of my aunts about what they did in the war. They were both single at the time..We did not have a defense plant where I grew up and one of them had worked in a hosiery mill.. which was taken over by the government..The other worked at a Libbys processing plant. In both cases, the government came in and life changed for them.. Male foremen were brought in and I remember how both of them resented this terribly.
I think that 24 hour news makes us more aware of things that happened.. I grew up in a small town however, lived sort of out in the country and never saw drunks on the street or understood homeless until I was an adult.
-
Once a child is old enough to play outdoors without constant supervision, he/she needs some
basic rules...like, "Don't talk to strangers." "Don't take candy from a stranger." That kind
of instruction goes right along with simple rules like crossing a street safely. But I don't
think it's a good idea to frighten them with stories about what could happen to them. Such
images leave a lasting imprint that could be harmful, imo.
-
John's finished and I'm in the middle of John Grisham's latest The Racketeer. We liked/are liking it very much.
-
Hesitated because I do not want to belabor the topic but it is so painful to think we continue to see what happens to kids as a stranger issue - as a result we only have too limited a direction for our kids and so we do not prepare them - we, even as grandparents do not prepare our precious ones how to handle the football couch, the baseball or softball or basketball, swimming, tennis couch - the Boyscout leader - the parish priest or minister - in some cases the teacher - the leader of the after school youth organization - their trusted neighbor - or their camp councilor.
-
Rosemary.
I think that schools should go back to the way they did with us girls during the war. (Maybe not you). in England we had classes and taught what to look out for, what to do, how to do it if accosted by men. We had so many service men from all countries up in the North of England. (Very few English Men). Around us had two Prisoner of War Camps. German and Italian. Some were allowed outside the camps. Farms and such as street repairs used them.
Now it is worse in the world, I have traveled single a lot in lot of countries and always have I need to have some of that learning. Along with a nasty mouth it served me well. Seems that some girls her in US are not aware of how things could go wrong for them. We have a large University in my Town here and amazing how many Assaults, Rapes , attaches etc go on each week. Things the girls should have known to be aware of where they are
We have many place for them to go to after the effect but none to teach how to not get into the problem in the first place.
-
Jeanne it does not help to teach abstinence only in High School because that curriculum ignores all the issues of safety - my daughter digresses in her class but all she needs is one student going home and sharing what she is learning with a parent who does not like that kind of talk for her daughter then, my daughter would be fired. So she walks a tight rope but having had to face the issue she wants and therefore shares with girls more knowledge how to protect themselves. Most teachers will not risk it and parents seldom like to think of their daughter having to deal with sexual issues.
-
I agree with you, Jeanne.
Barbara, I swear some folk today have downright medieval minds. I fully understand the threat to your daughter's job, as I have 2 daughters who teach, but I truly feel it behoves parents these days to let their children know, both boys and girls, what dangers await them right down the block.
-
Found a quite different Jane Gardam.Flight of the Maidens. I think an early book for her. It is moving slowly just now, but it is three teen girls in England just after the war and their last summer before going off to college or life.. Interesting in the backgrounds. A different world for me..But possibly a normal world just after WWII in a small english town.
-
You are quite right, BARB, and I didn't intend to convey the idea strangers were the only
danger. I was thinking more of what you tell the young pre-school age kids who are permitted
to play in the yard. Explanations regarding dangers, like everything else, progresses with
the age and readiness of the child.
I understood what you meant, STEPH, but couldn't help thinking it was hardly a 'normal' world for Britain after WWII. But since everyone would have been facing the same issues
and hardships I suppose the effect is the same.
I'm currently reading "The Hobbit" for the discussion which starts tomorrow, and enjoying
it even more the second time around. Have you ever read it? Such a delight.
-
It took quite a few year after the war in UK ended before we saw any kind of Normalcy. I first left in the early 1950s and still had a ration card. Many things we could not buy and much was still rationed.
Bombed out areas still had not been cleaned up by 1955. UK was really into Bankruptcy . Many of the male workers never came back from the war. Factories were bringing people in from Europe such from Polish labour camps and displaced countries just to help working the factories again. They were the main stay of the North UK where I am from. Mostly Industrial.
-
There were still many bomb sites in London when I was a teenager in the 1970s. Also many 'prefabs' - the little houses that were put up fast for displaced families, who then lived in them for years - in fact, one was featured in the episode of Call the Midwife when the cleaner's brother died & you see their home. People loved them - eventually they were of course all cleared away and replaced with much worse building.
In Barbara Pym's Excellent Women, Mildred goes to a Lenten service in a London church - it might even be St Paul's - which is still only half useable as the other half has been bombed, and she sees a woman sitting in the ruins boiling a kettle on a camping stove.
Rosemary
-
Y es, in the late 70's, was my first visit to London.. We took a Thames boat up or down(?) to Greenwich..On the way, we saw miles of ruins that had not been cleared, but they are all gone now.. Not sure just when.
The book is interesting.. Some of it makes no sense, but I think it is mostly English customs in the late 40's.. One of the girls goes to a guest house somewhere that summer to read all of the great books that she has never seen.. She had gotten a scholarship to a university in London??
Another takes off on her bicycle with a boyfriend for an unknown youth hostel?? and the third who is a refugee from Germany ends up in London with a most peculiar couple who think they are adopting her..She is puzzled since she is 17 and has a scholarship at Cambridge..
-
Babi, your comment about what we tell our very small children about the dangers that lurk outside their house reminds me of an incident here many years ago. Two little neighbor boys, about 3 or 4 years, were playing outside the home of one of them. Workmen were working on the driveway and in the back of the house. One of them wanted to back his truck out to the street and was getting very frustrated because he couldn't get both kids out of the way. He finally picked up little Jerry, plunked him in the passenger seat and backed out. Little Austin's nose was so out of joint he couldn't stand it, but he got his revenge --
"YOU RODE WITH STRANGERS, JERRY. SHAME ON YOU. YOU RODE WITH STRANGERS."
Rosemary, I'd suggest to your daughter that she take aisle seats when on the bus. Then when some creep makes unseemly comments, she can easily get up and alert the bus driver.
-
Just finished THE VIRGIN SUICIDES by Jeffrey Eugenides, after watching the film from it by Sofia Coppola. This is the first book I've read by Eugenides.
A somewhat strange but page-turning story. Fabulous writing! About five teenage girls from a suburban family who all commit suicide in one year. I believe it is based on a real story. Told from the viewpoint of some young boys who are fascinated by these lovely mysterious young women. Don't be put off by the subject matter, it's one of the best books I've read this year. Wow, can Eugenides write! It's a book I won't forget.
Marj
-
Hmm, possibly will try it, although something of his, I hated.. Oh well.
-
Wow, PEDLN, speaking of dangers, where was Mother? What are two little boys doing playing where workmen are working? What if that guy hadn't seen little Jerry before he backed out? Children that small need more than warnings; they need
supervision. Not much they can do about it if someone decides to simply pick them up and carry them off.
At least it's good to know they were listening to Mother. :)
-
Steph...I thought Middlesex was read here by Eugenides, but I had to go back to the pre2007 archives to find it.
http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/archives/fiction/Middlesex.htm
I thought it'd gotten mixed "reviews" by the participants at that time.
jane
-
When my children were young and in school:
My next door neighbors were having work done on their house, The doors in our house was locked and I was about 5 minutes late getting home. They were waiting outside for me. One of the workers came over and used a screw driver (?) and unlocked the door for them so when I came home they were already inside. Besides the fact of how dangerous that was just for the kids but also how easy it was for anyone to get the door unlocked. Scary!
-
Jeriron, sometimes when I look back, I wonder how the children ever made it to adulthood. The big dangers back then were climbing where they shouldn't, getting fingers caught in the door, and knocking teeth out.
-
Pedlin
Yes and I think it's sad that children can't go anyplace now. My teenagers rode their bikes to the beach. and were gone for hours. No cell phones then to get in touch with them either.
But then when I was I teen I took the train from the Bronx to Manhattan. Although I did have an incident on the train one time. Put me off from going again.
-
I had a pony and then a horse and in the summers, packed a lunch, left in the morning and returned before supper. I lived in the country and although our road was paved, the cross roads were not.. Many farmers let me go across the fields if I was careful and Libbys ( thje canner) gave me permission to go all over their huge farm. It had ponds, woods, etc. I cannot imagine letting children have this sort of freedom now, but it was normal where I grew up..
-
My Seattle daughter and family were in Virginia for her FIL's funeral, and then she was coming to be with post-surgical me, husband staying in VA, 16-year-old son flying back to Seattle. When she arrived, her first words were, "We missed our flights this morning. I have to check on Brian (16); I think he's in Philadelphia." Thank goodness for cell phones. Sure enough, he was in Philadelphia airport waiting for his flight. I don't know what's the magic age for travelling cross country on one's own.
-
What surgery are you having, pedln? Hope all goes well. Keep us posted.
-
The age for travelling unaccompanied varies with airlines - my friend's ex-husband took their 17 year old daughter, 13 year old son, and daughter's school friend, together with his own new partner and their small child, on holiday this summer to Corfu. Ex lives in Bulgaria, children all live in Scotland. On the day of their return, they were driving to the airport early in the morning in 2 cars. The plan was that the two girls and Andrew (13 yr old) would fly back to the UK and ex + his new family would fly back to Sofia, which was the procedure they had followed on the way there.
On the way to the airport, the new partner's car was involved in an accident - (luckily no-one was hurt) totally not her fault, but the local driver involved was very aggressive and the police had to be called and took ages to come. By the time they got to the airport they had missed their flight, which was with British Airways, the airline they had flown out with. Their father managed to book them onto an Easyjet flight BUT Easyjet's policy is that no child may fly unaccompanied, and the companion must be over 18. In the end their father had to buy himself a ticket and fly to Scotland with them, whilst partner & child returned to Bulgaria. Cost a small fortune.
Unaccompanied child travel is a minefield!
Rosemary
-
I thought that a child could travel with permission of the Airline at the age of 12. Seems like I have seen them sitting in the front seats when traveling back and forth to England. They have a name tag on and a Steward would take them on and off and pass them to some airline official if they had to change flights. Very well taken care of.
First time my mother came over at age 62. First to Canada and then to US. She had never flown before and I sort of acted like she was a child and they were so good taking care of her. Got her right to me in Chicago. Would not do it these days.
-
Jeanne - that is the case with most of the major airlines - you can have a child flying in the care of the cabin crew (though it's expensive & you pay extra per 'leg' of the trip), but the cheap airlines like Easyjet, Ryanair, etc do not take unaccompanied children at all, no matter what you pay. The difference between BA & Easyjet in this case was that BA accepted a 17 yr old sister as a suitable supervisor for a sensible 13 yr old boy, whereas Easyjet said she needed to be 18 and a legal adult to act in this capacity. I can sort of see their point, but it made a lot of trouble for my friend's ex - it was really the horrible (drunk) driver who started what I believe is now referred to as a 'cascade of events'.
Rosemary
-
Things have changed.When my sons were young... 4th and 7th grade, they flew back and forth from Florida to NY to my mil's.. Nothing extra. We got to put them in their seats.. they got little wings, a trip to the cockpit and more attention than they wanted from the help.. They loved it..They went back and forth several times over the years.
-
So many parent are now divorced and have visitation right even though they may live in different states. I knew a few couples who sent their children back and forth by air. Could now be that the Airlines do not want to be responsible for taking care of them. People are so ready to file a suit against anything and anybody these days and I do believe that one small child got lost in the shuttle awhile back.
-
I just finished reading this NY TImes article. We've been talking about our kids and things that they did when young, and things that kids can't do now, and this article seems to fit right in.
What would you do if your child could not feel pain?
No Pain] (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/18/magazine/ashlyn-blocker-feels-no-pain.html?hp)
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Jeanne - I know, it is all about insurance and risk these days, no-one is prepared to take responsibility for anything. A retired lawyer friend told me that lawyers in practice are no longer able to advise clients as to what they should do - they are told instead to present the alternatives and tell the client to choose. They dress this up as 'empowerment' but in fact it is 'don't sue me, it was your decision'. I really hate the way society is going sometimes - which makes me feel very old! ;D
-
Yesterday I went to look at an over 55 development in preparation for if and when I sell my big house. I found several models that appeal, so now feel better about my decision to size down..Funny how the little things are comforting.
-
Amen! to that, ROSEMARY. Now we can begin to understand why our elders were often so
disapproving. We've enough experience now to see the patterns that have emerged...and deplore them, just as they did. :(
Me, too, STEPH. I'm happy just to keep warm, to see family and friends, to enjoy my
books and crossword puzzles. I can see the blossoms on my bougainvillea and stroke the
cat in my lap. Life is still good.
-
Yes, yes! I had the most delightful great grandmother anyone could possibly have, and she took a personal interest in me and we spent a lot of time together and she lectured me for hours and hours.
I can remember that when I was about ten, she quite literally told me the world was going to hell in a basket. I remember vowing I would NEVER take that attitude with MY great grandchildren!
Well, truth to tell, I do not tell any of them that. By December 1, if granddaughter Judith's little boy arrives when due, I will have 22 great grandchildren. My great grandmother only had 8.
But I do believe the world is going to hell in a basket! As an expression only. The real manner and direction appear to be myriad.
And I am not talking politically here. My view is of the whole planet and all of the terrible things taking place.
-
Glad you're finding places that suit you, Steph - and that you even have choices. I'd love to move into a place like that. There don't seem to be choices in our immediate neighborhood - and I'd like to stay here. There are places "across town" - which is probably only 10 or so miles. :D Anyhow, good luck with your decision-making.
-
MaryZ.. how is therapy coming. I think of you.. KNow that I keep the good thought that therapy goes well..
Clermont is not very big, so the 55+ is about 15 minutes from where I live now, not a long journey, but I will probably change groceries.. theire is a bank branch close to there.. I am considering if I want a golf cart when I move.. I can go to the bank, grocery store, dry cleaners and a mex restaurant on it.. Hmmm. Are they easy to drive?? I know they are electric?? So do you keep them plugged in all the time?? Lots of discover, but plenty of time, since I have to sell this one first.
-
Hi Steph - thanks for the concern. Therapy is coming along. The therapist says my range of motion is good and getting better. She's working a lot on strength now - which is needed for the "good" hand/arm, too. I'm achy a lot of the time, but still taking regular low-level pain meds and using an ice pack. I do exercises at home (2X a day) and keep it out of the sling a lot at home - just to increase daily use and strength.
I'd think a golf cart would be a good second vehicle. I've used one of the carts in the grocery store and it didn't take too long to learn how to use it. You'd have to go with the instructions for the cart for plugging up, etc.
-
My comfort, MARYPAGE, is that history also shows a pattern of drawing back from
the extremes that could destroy us, time and again. The time may come when we don't
'draw back' quickly enough. I can only hope that our efforts to prevent catastrophe
will bring us through again.
STEPH, I've never been on a golf cart, but I would think a vehicle intended for use
on golfing greens would not do very well on a paved road. Not to mention get up to
the minimum speed for the streets. I do know that the electric carts used in large
department stores make a very bumpy ride outside the doors.
-
Babi, my aunt lived in a 55+ facility, and folks who lived in cottages frequently had golf carts for use on the property. Also on Cedar Key, FL, which is a regular town on a small island, they were at one time considering an ordinance to limit in-town traffic to electric carts, just to cut down on congestion. That was a number of years ago, so I don't know whatever happened with that. Anyhow, it is possible to use them in limited areas where they are "street legal".
-
Stephanie, we use golf carts here so I can speak to them, i guess. They are easy to drive, our 5 year old grandson drives one of ours, (with supervision of course). They come in gas or electric models. The gas models are quite loud. It is useful with an electric cart to keep it charged, which does require it to be plugged in to a charger which is plugged into a socket.
They can come with little dump truck like things on the back, very useful for all sorts of things. And they're fun.
They can be dangerous so you'd want to be careful as with anything moving. Are there places you can reach stores and run errands without going on the public highway, or are some of the roads private to the particular community and/or sandy and it's customary for people there use golf carts to get around on those roads?
We have paved driveways and they run fine on pavement, but I'm not thinking they are legal on a public road, and we've never actually taken one on a public road.
-
I don't believe you could use a Golf Cart on city or town streets. Parking them would also be a problem. They can be used in Neighbourhoods where lots of seniors live. Condo complexes and such. That would be all
-
KIngs Ridge has private roads and they have a golf cart area on the side of all the roads. The shopping center with bank, grocery, etc is accessible through a gate, so you are never on public roads..That would scare me.. They have golf cart parking at the shopping center as well..
Oh well, that must wait until I sell this one..and heavens knows houses are not moving fast.
-
I can't imagine any cart that would be able to reach a legal minimum speed limit
for the public streets. I can see where they would be useful in an enclosed community
situation, but not so much elsewhere. I am letting my driver's license lapse, as it has
become more and more evident to me that I cannot drive as safely as I need to. God
forbid I should harm someone because my response time is too slow.
-
They are wonderful on a farm, Babi, too.
Stephanie, King's Ridge looks fabulous!
-
I am looking forward to the adventure.. Lots of clubs and a travel club, which may help me again do sometraveling.
The Maidens are winding down.. Last night, she remarked on an older quaker man and how you could tell he was born into it as he had that deep content that came from knowing who and what you are. Since I know I feel like that about some of the elders when I was a younger woman, it touched my heart.
-
broke my rule against buying best sellers and put Gone girl on my Nook. It is full of suspense, clever plot twits, lot of public rellations jargon, procedural police work, , very wordy, needed a good editor, and i generally could not put it down, but ended up not liking it. Injustice triumphs. Charters not likeable. plot intricate but only partly believable, . anyone else read it?
-
I have NOT yet read it, but it is on my wish list for Christmas, so I will most likely get it. I am curious about what makes it such a best seller week after week after week. Somehow I have formed the opinion that I may not like it, and here you are sort of confirming that.
-
I've read "Gone Girl" and I really liked it. It's written by Gillian Flynn, and this was the first book of her's that I've read. It's written from two different points of view -- Nick's view is told real-time and Amy's is from her diary. It was a very unusual way to write a book, but if you enjoy psychological thrillers, you might like it.
-
My Christmas book list thus far is three of the Julia Child: Dearie, JUlias Cats and the Covert Affair, then Virginia Scharf.. Jefferson and the women he loved.. I generally only ask for books that I know I want to keep forever. and basically non fiction.
Finished The Maidens, did not like the ending,, but loved the book. Oh well.
-
I started "The Maidens" but just could not get into it and so I started on a book "Revenge of a Middle Age Women" Lizabeth Buchan So far staying with it. The problem with "The Maidens" is the print is very small and light. No one has it in Large Print.
-
I ended up deciding i did like A Woman's Place by Lynn Austin. It is about four women who go to work building liberty ships during WWII. The message was very feminist/women making their own decsions/learning how strong they could be. But Austin also writes a lot of evangilical religion into it, apparently her other books have been set in biblical times. I just glossed over that and ended up liking the story in general.
Jean
-
Decided I wanted light and funny, so just started Star Island by Carl Hiassen. Living in Florida, the books are funny, but way too close to the way the state is.
-
I'm always alert for 'light and funny'. Carl Hiassen goes on my list.
-
Babi, it is Florida funny, which is somewhat different from everyday funny.. Lots of alligator and politician jokes. I love him.
-
Politician jokes are easy! I would think alligators don't present much room for amusement,
tho'. Definitely an 'approach with caution'. I'm hoping to pick up a few books Monday at
the library. I'm down to reading one of Val's Nora Roberts romances. It's interesting enough,
but it seems every other page has another fight/passion episode between our hero and heroine.
-
O ne of Hiaasens continuing characters is Skink.. who is a former Florida governor who took to the swamps and ecology.. He is funny, very exaggerated, but Carl is making the point that in Florida the alligators are more benign than the alligators and if you live here, you know the truth in that.
-
Bob Schieffer of FACE THE NATION had 4 best selling authors on this morning, and one of them was Gillian Flynn who wrote GONE GIRL.
She seemed to be someone without ego and very, very nice. Very pretty and down to earth. I liked her a lot. She admits her book is quite dark.
He also had Chris Pavone, writer of The Expats, and now I find I really want to read that. And he had David Baldacci, who I like in person but do not care for his books, and Alex Stone, who wrote that book about magic, a subject I am just not interested in.
I found I liked all 4 authors as people, and that is quite surprising as I usually find so many of them to be full of themselves. These four have, or at least seem to have, great personalities.
-
Hmm, I know I dont want to read Gone Girl, but possibly the Expats.. I know I dont like Baldacci.. Sigh.. I am reading light because I am busy and cannot just sit down for a long time to read.. Lighter books make it easy to pick up an ddown... Oh.. on the IPAD, I am reading the second Dixie Divas.. A fun light read.. Very very southern..
-
in Florida the alligators are more benign than the alligators and if you live here, you know the truth in that
I think there is something missing here, STEPH. Please clarify. :D
-
Sorry Babi..The alligators are much more benign than the politicians.. Hiassen has very strong feelings about the destruction of the natural world in Florida.. The everglades are disappearing because Big Sugar is high on the political gift world.. Disney in the center of the state controls what is happening through their lobbiest. If they dont want it, it doesnt get done.. and we have a governor who is totally big business,, not government, not schools and for heavens sake, never the poor.
-
I spent years and years in politics (now totally retired from all of that and glad to be out of it) and I started off right at age 21. I saw idealistic, enthusiastic, bright young men (in those days, we women were strictly the worker ants) who later sold their souls for the flattering, ego-building invitations to play golf, to take the wife and little kiddies to a free weekend in a posh resort, to have their opinions sought and their love of lunch in the best restaurants with the finest old Scotch indulged. With most of 'em, it does not take long to be seduced. Only a very few, a pitiful few, can keep their souls. One day these young men run for office and get large contributions from their oh so good "friends," and the next day they realize they have to vote the way these friends ask; they have to face pay back time, or else.
Hey, I even got a crush myself on a lobbyist. He was adorable when we were all young, but he sure got cruddy when he was old. Oh well; I'm no great shakes at my age, either! Almost all of those populating my memories are dead and gone now; but the play goes on, and except for the differences technology has added, and has it ever, the script is the same old, same old.
Pity.
Of all the sayings we have ever learned, the most important in politics is this: FOLLOW THE MONEY.
-
I've learned a lot about Florida I never knew, thanks to your posts, STEPH. It
does help to explain why there always seem to be political problems there.
MARYPAGE, I never had a head for politics. Even in office politics I was a
naive innocent. Reading your post I am rather comforted that I kept my distance
from the whole thing. I do vote in the national elections, but it is for the
person, not the party.
-
People get so shocked when they read of some man if Politics have something on with women not his wife. I worked 40 years in couple small but other large businesses. Not one place did I not see it going on.
Even back when I worked in UK.
The mayor of my city here is being sued at this time by some women he was having a affair with. She is saying that he still owes her money for work she did for him. (Use to be called prostitution but not these days). Now they call them mistresses.
Long as women and men are working close together this will always go on. More now than ever because the Women now can be the one getting it started. Find with most men it does not take much.
-
I agree with you, Jeanne, as that was my experience both in my work life and in volunteer work, such as the politics. Forever.
That is why, in 1991 when Doctor Hill was asked to testify as to the behavior of her former boss, Clarence Thomas, I told EVERYone that she was telling the truth, and I made up a huge photo/scrap book that I still have. When asked why I believed her so vehemently, I explained that I had the same sort of thing happen to me over and over, and, what is more, like Professor Hill I had continued to attempt to be on a professionally friendly basis with each person, including one who, just as Thomas had been with her, had been my boss at two different times and places.
I just flat out felt a fiery fury that those sanctimonious senators proclaimed such righteous shock that she would describe such outrageous things about this saintly Supreme Court nominee! How COULD she sit there and lie with a serene face and having taken the oath!
Well, all the literature out now on the subject completely exonerates Hill. What is more, there were 3 other women he had worked with who were willing to come forward and tell the same sort of story. The committee decided NOT to call them. When I think of all this sort of stuff that has happened in my lifetime, I think of Diogenes going forth with his lamp looking for one honest man in this world!
-
I know they wanted a black man for the seat, but there were so many others who were better than he was or is.. Not a good justice..
Once when younger, I dated an up and coming politician, but in the end, decided I was not cut out to be that sort of wife.. Nice enough human, but very very sure that he knew all the answers.
-
I'm with you, MaryP. Loved your "I think of Diogenes going forth with his lamp looking for one honest man in this world!" I was so angry with that dopey group of all-male senators who believed Thomas. They'd probably all done the same sort of thing. Every time I look at Thomas I want to vomit!
I bet we've all had that kind of stuff happen to us when we were young. I quit a couple of jobs just for that reason. But while you're working, you have to do the best you can to avoid the monster and hang on to your job till you can find another one!
Marj
-
I think that back then Mary, in the working field we knew when men were getting a little to friendly. Only thing was many women did use it to get favours. My first job not many men around because of the priorWar. They took advantage. I use to see these women take the favours. He came to me and I remember picking up a heavy item and striking him. Then walked out. Happened over the years but I think I was more of a Asset to the companies that all I had to do was just Give one look and they knew they were wasting their time.
I have been single from a young age and found it amazing how many ( Worlds best Husbands ) as their wives called them that one had to turn down.
-
Good for you, Jeanne, for bonking the jerk! Yes, I've known women who got ahead that way. Those were the ones who were against the feminist movement, afraid to stand on their own two feet.
Marj
-
Well, exactly. My income was essential to the feeding, clothing and housing of my family, and no way was I going to let them down by getting all huffy and making a complaint about sexual harrassment on the job.
First place, the worst attempts at seduction came right from my bosses. They felt entitled in those long ago days. Deed they did!
Secondly, this was back in a time when no one had ever heard of "sexual harrassment" and no one said "sex" out loud. There were no laws in place that affected women in the workplace, other than union laws and the ones resulting from that dreadful Triangle Shirt Fire in the early 20th century that killed so many women and girls. If a woman dared complain about a male coworker, for crying out loud, she would be labeled a troublemaker and dismissed without a recommendation.
Women today just do not know how bad we had it. Women who have never worked are terribly naive about how their men behave with other women, and men; MEN! They belong to an old boys club that goes back thousands of years and stick together even though they know the other guy is guilty as sin. I think they are motivated by two attitudes previous generations have taught them: one, it could just as well have been them and they would want the guys to support them and, two, women who work are all asking for it and they should be home, barefoot and pregnant.
-
Yes, I never heard the Words Sexual Harrassment back then. Fact it was Said more in two Words and you knew what they meant about a women. Remember. (Herr Ass ).
Was always the higher up men that gave the trouble. Some women liked it and some didn't. Have some real funny stories about the women who took the men serious
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
This seems like a discussion that needs to be in the Women's Issues discussion group....
Sally
-
Guess we did say to much. Sometimes we do get carried away when in forums at times. I bet we could write a Best Seller Mary.
-
I saw the Hannukah heading and wondered if anyone on here could explain to me what happens during this time? We have virtually no Jewish population in this area, so I am horribly ignorant apart from what I see on TV occasionally. I find these festivals very interesting.
Rosemary
-
I knew and know a lot of jewish.. The word means Festival of the Lights.. They light candles for a period of days. Commemorates something that happened in the temple.. It is a light hoiday and they sometimes give presents.. Dreidels ( like a top) and gelt.. Gold coins(chocolate)
-
My ex-DIL and my grandchildren are Jewish, ROSEMARY, and I have had the pleasure of
attending both a 'bat mitzvah' (boys) and a 'bar mitzvah' (girls) and of course attend a
sabbath service. Here is a link that explains Hannukah (or Channukah) beautifully.
http://www.history.com/topics/hanukkah
-
both a 'bat mitzvah' (boys) and a 'bar mitzvah' (girls)
I think those got twisted around above.
It's my understanding that the bar mitzvah is for boys; bat mitzvah for the girls???
There's a nice explanation, Rosemary, of these "coming of age" ceremonies here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bar_and_Bat_Mitzvah
-
It is a celebration of the part of Jewish History in the Old Testament of the Bible about the Maccabees. The books in the original Christian Bible are still in the Roman Catholic Bible, but were thrown out when the Protestants came along. I have no idea why.
So get hold of a Catholic version of the Bible and you can read First and Second Maccabees. The part I remember most vividly, and perhaps some women with delicate stomachs insisted these books be deleted from Holy Scripture for this reason, was when the enemy prepared large frying pans and proceeded one by one to cut up and fry the Maccabee sons right in front of their mother.
Well, I was a teenager back when I read that, and now I'm 83 and have not read it since. Hope I was wrong, but quite truthfully, that is what I remember.
I have read the Bible all the way through from start to finish, including ALL of the original books, and I will tell you this: it is definitely not non-violent.
-
Mary.
Now I have not read anything like that about the Maccabees. Going to have to research and read it.
My children and Grands always had Jewish friends and when little they would get lots on Christmas day but would mention to us that their little friends got presents every day for 8 days during Channukah and was that fair. Kids for you. I Told them I would be happy to just hand them their at one a day if they wanted.
-
:D probably it would have allowed them more time to appreciate each present - as long as ALLL the clothes came first... ;)
-
especially the sox and underwear ;D
-
Apparently it is to be found in 2 Maccabees, and my memory is correct!
http://www.livius.org/maa-mam/maccabees/2macc07.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman_with_seven_sons
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/4_Maccabees
-
You're right, JANE. Actually, I caught that immediately and corrected it, but then had
trouble posting and wound up locating and posting the original. So exasperated by then I
didn't notice it was the uncorrected one. (I haven't a clue what I hit to create all that
mess.)
My impression has always been that the Protestant biblical scholars felt the deleted books
were of questionable accuracy or authenticity. Maccabees, of course, were not the only
books dropped. And no, it is not non-violent. The Old Testament histories definitely 'tell
it like it is'. ( Or was.) Though I've read about the Maccabees, I haven't read the originals.
Glad now I didn't.
-
How awful, that story in Maccabees. I'd never read that book.
As they were being fried, one of them said "The Lord God is watching over us." Sure he was. Just as he watched over those who went up in smoke in Hitler's ovens. (Pardon my atheist view of this.)
Interesting that the Jews then believed that God would resurrect them to life. Back on earth? Wonder if they still believe that today.
Marj
-
The history of religious beliefs is a fascinating one when set out as it has actually unfolded, as opposed to being set out by any one religion which wants you to think their way and only their way and believe there is not now nor ever has been another way.
But yes, when, hundreds of years after the death of Jesus, the original Bible was put together and agreed upon, there had been a Holy Bible for a very long time. The conference threw out a lot of the canon, including many, many gospels, at that time.
Then when the Eastern Orthodox split from the Roman Catholics, there were more changes.
And the Reformation brought about still more.
I believe there is a difference of more than 20 books. Nothing stays the same. Everything changes. We do have a propensity for preferring to believe that everything stays the same. I know I do! But it just ain't so.
-
Back in my late 20's, I got interested in the bible and religon in general. Mostly because of Viet Nam.. actually.. I converted after a year or so of searching to Quaker.. Still am,, but I did examine a lot of things about the bible.. The translations still are causing problems for many.. Scholars look at various points and can show you how they divirge.. Never read Maccabees, but did hear of them.. Very blood thirsty, the old Testament, but then it was put together by people trying to scare all others.
-
I don't think that people were anymore blood thirsty back then than what some are like today. Look at the horrible things we have read and seen having gone on in just the last 75 years all over the world. Many things we have not read or been told about.
-
The difference I think is the current stories of horror are not written up in what we were educated to call "The Good Book" and used to eek out some truth that was supposed to aid us to direct our 'good' behavior. I am a believer but I do have lots of issues with the Bible.
-
I am still reading Star Island by Hiassen.. He is getting grimmer as he ages.. His take on what is happening on Miami Beach because of all the rock stars, etc hanging out is sad.. I know he pushes facts, but this has the ring of quite a lot of truth.
-
BARB, I particularly have issues with what some have done to the Bible. Like adding the
Jewish bible as our 'Old Testament' and then changing it about to suit ourselves. Adding
it was a great idea; it is the root of the Christian faith. Changing it has led to a
great many errors, IMO.
I am reading my first Hiaasen and really enjoying it, STEPH. It's one of the earlier ones; I
might not appreciate the later ones if they get too 'grim'.
-
I grew up with the King James bible. Then I read somewhere that King James did a cut and paste job on an earlier bible to make this one. Hmmmmm! I am aware that some books were discarded for being suspected or proven fakes, but others were removed by authorities as being considered irrelevant or because of political motivations (my opinion, at any rate). So, do we truly know how much of today's version(s) are closest to Christ's teachings?
-
King James himself only asked for and approved the King James version. He did no work on it. It was the output of a committee of some 47 men, give or take. King James did not serve on the committee.
http://www.av1611.org/kjv/kjvhist.html
-
I always loves the King james Bible. Always thought the music of its language was due to the English of the time of shakespeare, until I learned Hebrew. No. The music is in the original.
-
Ah, then somewhere along the line I was fed a line about King James and his bible.
-
I am enjoying reading " The good wife strikes back" by the English author Elizabeth buchan. Second book I have read of hers. She is good. Checked but I don't see the library having any more. Maybe Rosemary will know of her and give us some titles.
-
No you are correct Frybabe - there is a book all about it - God's Secretaries by Nicolson I believe is the author - along with so much written in various books about how the Bible was altered just in the hand copying and how there are some parables in the bible that were added along the margins by monks copying the text . Later texts included these parables as if part of the original - Some bibles have pages repeated and others have pages never copied.
There are collections of Bibles from the dark ages and the Medieval time that are used as comparisons - When the canon of the Bible was determined no Bibles written by women could be included - Bibles in the first century was a genera as today we have literature and science and history etc. the Bible was a genera -
And the big one - the raging quarrel was if Jesus was God or Man or both - most heretics were so labeled because they came down on one side or the other rather than Jesus being both God and Man pushed by the Roman Catholics - that was the basics of the schism between the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Church. This battle was included in every council of Bishops since Council of Chalcedon in 451 and not fully settled as dogma till The Council of Trent in 1545
Many of the early 'Christian' Bibles came down on one side or the other - as did the Gnostic Bible and therefore not included in the canon - the choices are neatly explained by the Church (until you take Bible History) as various Bible Books fell out of favor and therefore, were not included - also, there was a rule that the new Testament Bibles had to be written by someone who knew Jesus or heard the stories directly from someone who knew Jesus - they really do not know who wrote Matthew, Mark and Luke - they chose the names so to fit the rules set up - they do not include John in that group but then John wrote some 70 years after the death of Jesus.
Then a few professors today bring to our attention that the first of the New Testament was written two years after the Romans sacked Jerusalem destroying to the ground the major temple in Jerusalem - they liken that to someone, a native of NY writing 2 years after 9/11 and the kind of message they could share.
And then, church history shows how over and over as various areas were converted, often by the leadership or the ruler, the church became entwined with local customs, attitudes toward women, their pagan beliefs. Therefore, when a Bible was translated the mind set of the translator had a colloquial slant that they see various choice of words during the translation were not the best in order to be true to the original but rather, reflected the view of the story or what was considered Christian by those doing the translating.
Many many books on all of this not written by crack pots but distinguished scholars, priests, ministers, and respected collage professors - The Teaching Company alone has several college level courses on the Bible both New and Old, and every aspect of Church history seems to have a series of at least 21 lectures available.
-
No one knows when Jesus of Nazareth was born, or where. The tax thing, according to historians (I am not one, I just read a lot about what they have to say), was made up to explain their birth story.
I believe in the historical Jesus, but understand how those gospels that made the final cut added on a lot of stuff the Church wanted. In particular, they wanted a birth story in order to paste it over the "pagan" celebrations at the end of the year. Thus we have Christmas, or Christ Mass; a time when, originally, only the Birth was celebrated. There was no gift giving except to the Church.
I took a course in Astronomy years ago that turned out to be fun at Christmas time. Our professor had light scenes of date palms and camels and Wise Men up against the sides of the planetarium. He showed us the probable position of some planets that could, from certain places, look like an extra big star. He said the nearest time for this was something like 4 years before (or did he say after?) the time the Church fixed on for Jesus's birth, and that the month would more likely be March.
I had a beloved first cousin who was an Episcopalian priest. This was a poem she sent me one Christmas:
I will put it down below in order to do justice to it:
-
REBIRTH
When she met with the others
They talked about their sons
John was doing well in trade
And had three children, the
Oldest, ready for bar mitzvah!
David had settled down at last
And married a nice girl, Miriam
A babe was on its way.
They never asked about her son
But she knew they knew
No wife, no child, no work
Just wandering, long haired
And barefoot with a ragged
Crew, talking wildly, people said.
And he had shown such promise as
A boy! She heard their thoughts.
Finally, she stopped meeting them.
Alone, she could reach deep into
Herself, and remember all those
Things she had kept, and pondered
In her heart. Then, as on that
Starry night, Fairh was reborn.
Margaret H. Bacon
The Christian Century
-
I am readying Laura Lippman's..What the Dead Knew.. Her stand alone books are always good, but always darker than Tess.. This one is a puzzle. I am 2/3 through and still not quite sure who is who and why.. Now the Mother has been found and is returning from Mexico. Will she automatically recognize her adult child?? That is an interesting question..
-
I have one of the Catriona McPherson books that ROSEMARY recommended. "Bury Her Deep".
I think I am enjoying the background people, customs and mores even more than the story.
The rural women's club reminds me so strongly of why I was never a 'joiner'. My experience
with clubs was mostly tedium and the annoyance of watching rivals for leadership posture and
pose.
I know many of you have clubs that are a source of great enjoyment to you. Please don't be offended, but just chalk my reaction up to what may be a selfish preference for peace and quiet.
-
I tried a couple of Book Clubs. On at the Library. Did not work out for me. Not my kind of books that they wanted. Also would give about 15 min. discussing books and then 45 min. on personal lives and things.
I think it may be my problem but I never have cared to join "Women's clubs". Joined Bowling clubs with women. Craft clubs. Walking clubs. these worked out fine. When it comes to clubs were have to vote on things. didn't work out
-
"Women's clubs". Me neither JeanneP. My problem was that the local Women's Club I considered joining was all about their children and school. That's fine for them, but I didn't have children.
The one knitting club I joined comprised of just a few women. We took turns at each other's houses and our dues went to a food basket for a needy family each Christmas.
All in all, I am not much of a joiner. So, aren't you all fortunate I am here. ;D
Not reading any general fiction right now; still on a major SciFi kick.
-
:D
-
I struggle with most clubs.
I recently went to one meeting of the local 'rurals' (Scottish Women's Rural Institute) because they had an author speaking whom I wanted to hear. He was great, but of course they then tried to persuade me to come to their other meetings. I was dragged along to one (they even turned up at my door to give me a lift - very kind I know but I do have a car!), but I'm afraid it's not for me - I don't mean this the way it will probably sound, but all of the ladies were not only much, much older than I am, they also didn't seem to have many interests other than meeting up for a cup of tea and a biscuit. I do appreciate that there is no reason why they shouldn't do so, and I'm sure the group serves a good purpose, but it's not for me (not yet, anyway...)
I'm also not 100% thrilled with the new book group at the library, so I'm not sure how long I'll stick with that.
Still doing the local craft centre committee and the Rotary, but at least they're both doing something constructive. I think I much prefer discussing books on-line here, as then we can all choose what we do and don't want to read, and this group also has such a wealth of intelligent, entertaining, well-read contributors.
Off soap box now!
Rosemary
-
Actually our local womans club is interesting // They take on any of the community problems. We support many local charities and get very involved. We have women supporting Camp Boggy Creek( summer campe for children with diseases), Canine Companions for Independence ( training dogs for assistance ). Woman who do snacks for the symphony...others who collect box tops,,pop tops, etc.. We all bring food each month that is given to the local food banks.. We are adopting 18 people in a rehab center for christmas, who seem to have no families. You name it, we do it.. so no, we really dont just sit around and do tea.. althought once a month , we meet and actually do have tea and a cookie or two, while making pitches for our favorite charity. You are required to help with at least two different projects a year and there are so many things. This Christmas we are also supporting Wreaths Across America, since we live close to a national cemetary. We will send a group on the 15th for the wreath laying cemetary..Not on a soap box. I spent my married life never joining clubs except for sailing ones, but after his death, I have learned to look at clubs. They help with the isolation.
-
I'm not a joiner, either. But if our local senior citizen's group would get up a bridge club, I might join that. I keep meaning to ask them why they don't have such a group, as they have just about everything else.
And, yes, Frybabe, we're very glad to have you here!
Marj
-
So it's a real club! The SWRI is the club featured in the McPherson book I'm reading.
It is in a rural area, so most of the ladies are from the surrounding farms. Their
featured programs included 'how to pluck a chicken' (both young ones and old), crochet
and a jam competition. On one occasion they invited a visiting minister's wife to give a
lecture. Apparently it caused a great scandal, and so far no one will talk about what it was!
Surely the author will tell eventually. She couldn't just leave us dangling! ???
Now that's the kind of club that interests me, STEPH. At least, back when I could do anything
energetic for more than 15 minutes. They are actually accomplishing worthwhile things.
I very much enjoyed playing bridge at the senior's center, but the number of players gradually
dwindled away.
-
I just finished SWEET TOOTH, the latest book by Ian McEwen, one of my favorite authors. Somewhat different from his previous books, but has a nice surprising twist. Has anyone read it?
In the book McEwen has as the background England during the 1970s which I didn't know much about, but am going to read more about that era. In his bibliography, he gives a couple of books, I've put on my list: WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT; BRITAIN IN THE SEVENTIES by Andy Beckett, and STATE OF EMERGENCY; THE WAY WE WERE, BRITAIN 1970-1974 by Dominic Sandbrook.
Marj
-
That must be us. We are just not joiners. I never was. Even in School there were 3 of us together and we never joined any of the clubs. We were on the Netball team and field hockey together but then left on our own.
I have met over time about 5 women who I have thought we would get along good in a little Women's club just us together.
Now Senior Centres. Sorry. doesn't work for me there either. Use to take a day trip once in awhile with it and they were O.K.
-
Well, there are clubs and then there are other clubs. I love the forums here on SeniorLearn because I hear every word you say (unless it's on you-tube :D ). ANd my f2f book club here is good -- we call ourselves a Mystery Club, but anything goes, really. We don't vote -- everyone suggests a book they've liked, and the one who suggests a title leads the discussion for that month They're good about passing around my little transmitter when they're going to speak. Love my bridge clubs, now would like to find a group that plays Settlers of Catan, a favorite family board game, but can't find anyone here who's interested. I don't go to the Senior Center although two of my best friends do. It's primarily for eating lunch and I would really be afraid that I might take someone's chair. It's been known to happen.
I'm reading Tuscan Holiday by Holly Chamberlin. Light and a bit predictable with a focus on mother-daughter relationships. But it's also a great guidebook to the sights of Florence and Tuscany.
-
ah slow slow slow this am and then telling me I have not posted, then if I try to post that I already have. Sigh
My granddaughter at 17 asked for that Ian McEvan. Startled me, she also wanted the J.K. Rowling, so I got them for her for Christmas..
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Ah yes, the Senior Center. I joined but haven't gone but once. There is a fitness room with treadmill, etc., but they only have it open a few hours two days and one evening. Every time I had gone by the door when it was open before I joined, it seemed empty. The one time I went up to use the equipment, the room was full with a waiting line to use the equipment. There are, of course, group exercises along with the ubiquitous cards and bingo. Last year they added two pool tables. I may try that. It's been a very long time since I played. Mostly, the problem is getting into a routine of actually going.
George, on the other hand, goes regularly up to the Senior Center when he is in Mansfield. He taught computer classes up there for several years, so he got used to going and he made friends. The food, he says, sucks.
-
My family enjoys games, too, PEDLN. ESpecially my son. What kind of game is
Settlers of Catan? I would enjoy adding a new game to our collection.
I had the same problem this morning, STEPH. Finally gave it up and came back this
afternoon. Working fine now. Maybe it just needs to warm up on these cool mornings.
I can empathize.;)
-
;Dah babi,, the picture of the computer warming up made me laugh. I think mostly it is 9 years old and perhaps could stand to be a new one. I just so hate the changeover and figuring out who does what to who..
Still after the first of the year, I will go searching.. I like those new all in ones. Not so many wires, etc.
-
I am finally getting around to reading Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist thanks to several dentist appointments this week. I don't have any strong feelings about it so far. It appears to be another quest to find ones true self.
-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Air
I got Sinclair Lewis' Free Air, an ebook, for free, from Amazon a week or so ago. If the whole book is as good as the first chapter, i'm in for a treat. Lewis writes great women protagonists. I was amazed when i read Main Street how he got into the head of the woman character in the 1920s. Both books have very strong and independent women.
In this book, a well-heeled, well brought up young woman is driving her father ( the book was published in 1919 so i assume it was supposed to be contemporary) on muddy, sometimes totally missing roads, from Minnesota to Seattle Washington. Getting to drive a car gave women, at the time, a sense of power and strength and it's clear that Clara is proud of herself even though she sometimes needs to be literally pulled out of the ruts.
I put up the Wiki statement about the book at the beginning of the post.
Is there any benefit to Seniorlearn if we go to Amazon thru this site even for free books?
Jean
Just checked, it's now $ .99 for the ebook
-
Whew,, thought I had read all of Lewis many many years ago.. but that is a new title.. I have way too many books stashed on the IPAD, but will look for that.
-
"Let's REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR
As we go to meet the foe.
Let's REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR
As we did the Alamo.
We will always remember how they died to set men free.
Let's REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR
And go on to victory."
-
One of the sadest sites I ever visited was to the Arizona in Hawaii. The other sad visit was to the Vietnam memorial wall in Washington, D.C. Both very emotional experiences.
An interesting book I read about Pearl Harbor was PEARL HARBOR; A NOVEL OF DECEMBER 8 by Newt Gingrich. It is told from the Japanese point of view. December 8 is Pearl Harbor date in Japan.
Don't care much for Gingrich's politics, but he's written some interesting history books.
Marj
-
Problem between the attitude over the Alamo and Pearl Harbor is you do not have a lot of folks debating if we brought the Alamo on ourselves and the Texas Curriculum includes a half year semester of Texas History in 6th grade another half year in High School [not an elective - can't graduate from a Texas HS without it] and a 3 hour class in College - again mandatory attending a State College rather than a private college. The study of every outrage during the early years of this nation - yes, Texas was a nation - is studied as compared to the one page blip that is given in History Books these days to what happened at Pearl Harbor.
-
I am happy to hear that your state history is still required in Texas, Barb.
When I went to school, Pennsylvania Civics was a requirement to graduate high school. In Jr. High I had American History and in high school I also had World History. I have no idea whether these last to were required at the time. The civics requirement got dropped sometime after I graduated. I always thought that was a mistake.
I just checked the new proposed requirements for 2017 and beyond in PA. PA Civics is back in, kind of. A class called Civics and Government (includes both PA and Federal Gov.) is to be required starting in 2020 - BUT - only if there is funding to properly measure academic outcomes. There is some kind of alternative for those who can't pass the Keystone exam twice in which, in addition to certain conditions being met, the student has a choice to test out on at least one subject. US History will be on the list in 2018 and World History is included in 2020. Sounds confusing. Nothing is straight forward any more.
-
I know that History is required in Florida, but I dont honestly know if it is state or federal.. In Delaware we learned both..History and Civics.
The war memorials that touched me.. Lincolns statue.. I honestly think his spirit is there. It is the most soothing place to be..
overseas. Normandy.. they are so young wandering the stones, you weep at all the 18 year olds.
German concentration camp.. Dachau..Oh the evil and blood and hate there and the town directly across the railroad tracks.. and the oh.. we never knew. impossible not to..
-
We've been to Normandy and Pearl Harbor; Gettysburg, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Harper's Ferry; and others. One of the two that have stayed with us longest is a small Canadian cemetery on a side road in Normandy - immaculately tended, with rows of colorful flowerbeds alongside the markers, with the maple trees planted all around. The other is Antietam - where there were more American deaths than in any other battle. It is lovely, rolling farmland, but we could hear the awful sounds and smell the smoke. It's a haunted place - and the last Civil War battlefield we visited.
-
I toured the Vicksburg Battlefield many years ago with my brother and SIL. I can still remember the awful, but holy quiet, as if all the souls still lingered there, and in their silence wanted us to form our own memories and feelings. I was barely 19 at the time, in 1958, and today, 54years later, I can still feel that silence when I speak of it.
Hallowed ground indeed, as are all the cemeteries, battlefields. And just this moment, the words to a song filled my head, and my eyes fill with tears: "Where have all the young men gone, long time passing. Gone for soldiers every one... When will it ever end"?
-
When I was in the 5th grade in Jacksonville, Florida I can remember we studied FLORIDA HISTORY from a bright red, slim textbook. I believe it said Duval County or something like that inside it.
Anyway, as it turned out, it was a WONDERFUL grounding in the history of our country, because of De Soto and the search for the Fountain of Youth and the Seminole Indians and the oldest town in the States and all the rest of it. Perfect background for me to begin my passion for History, that's for sure. I have thanked Florida ever since. I began 6th grade in Kentucky (Fort Knox) and ended it in Virginia. Virginia had a most excellent 6th grade Civics course, which was also a great introduction to how our government works. It gave me a huge jump on understanding the studies ahead of me.
One thing I will always remember vividly about that Civics course (do they even have anything called "civics" anymore? I took "logic" in High School; do they have that anymore?) was that along about the middle of the book, on a page on the left, they showed black & white photographs of FDR's Cabinet. And I was looking without much interest while reading the text, but all of a sudden my eye caught and stopped on Secretary of Commerce and I screamed silently to myself: Oh, that's Granddaddy Roper!
And so it was. My Dad's best friend since childhood and fellow Army officer had a son born the same year as I, and we were best friends, too. And sometimes my little friend's grandparents babysat me. In Alexandria, Virginia. So I called him granddaddy, too. And there he was in my Civics book! I had not a clue what he "did" until that moment. At the time I was embarrassed and abashed at my ignorance, but now it is lovely fun for me to remember it that way.
-
Painful reality is among all those National Civil War cemeteries nary a Confederate Soldier is buried there. Congress would not release any help or money to help find and bury Confederate Soldiers only Union Soldiers.
-
And when you're looking at Lincoln's statue, read the inscription on the wall. it will bring tears to your eyes.
I remember my visit to gettysburg decades ago, when there weren't many tourists. It was so quiet and peaceful. And each inch of peace was bought with blood. The blood on both sides was the same color.
-
"Painful reality is among all those National Civil War cemeteries nary a Confederate Soldier is buried there."
There is a small Confederate cemetary near Washington. very small.
-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Confederate_Cemetery
-
The establishment of this Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania cemetery is explained and typical for Cemeteries for the Confederate soldier.
http://www.nps.gov/frsp/rebcem.htm
-
My great grandfather is buried in this cemetery:
http://cemetery.communitypoint.org/
He did not DIE in the war, but for some reason he was entitled to be buried there. I have stood before his gravestone several times.
I agree about the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. I have been in and out of D.C. all of my life, and know it so very well, but no memorial brings tears to my eyes like that one. One of my fondest memories is of going there in the middle of the night after dining and night clubbing out, and going up those steps by myself while the 3 people with me turned towards the Reflecting Pool, and in I went, so quietly and alone I could hear my shoes on the floor (high heels), and I spoke out loud to Mr. Lincoln and FELT he was up there in that chair in spirit just as surely as though he really were. It was a mystical moment, and I treasure it still.
-
Yes, We Illinois people are proud of President Lincoln. Wonder if the school children being taught today are learning much about any of them going back that far. Seems like most history has now been dropped from their learning. Geography also. Why yesterday I was on the phone talking to a phone Rep. Told her I wanted to call International to England and she wanted to know what country it was in.
-
That was funny, Jeanne! Can you imagine someone not knowing England was a country?
I like to watch Jay Leno ask questions like that to young people on the street and hear the astounding wrong answers they give.
The annual geography quiz is fun to watch -- the one that's kind of like the spelling bee. I'm always amazed that those kids know so much.
Marj
-
I have had the same problem with Kuala Lumpur not being recognised as a place by a post office clerk (I know it's in Malaysia, but really, they work for the post office!) and with Eire not being recognised as Ireland. Drives me nuts. I still always put Eire on letters t my friend in County Waterford, just to make the GPO think (if possible... ;D)
Rosemary
-
Ah yes,, I still cause confusion when people ask me where I grew up..The answer is Wyoming, Delaware.. It is a teeny little town in central Delaware where the railroad went through. It was built for the workers on the railroad originally. Now it is still mostly farms and very quiet and rural. But the Wyoming threw people and still seems to. They seem to think I was a mid westerner.. Ah well.
I am glad that others feel like I do about Lincoln. I have visited many places where he lived or worked and some parks as well, but the statue in DC has a special feel to it.. The Japanese love him to death. They get very excited when they visit the statue and want picture picture picture..Sigh.
-
Is that true abiut no Confederate soldiers in national cemetaries? My remembering is that they must have buried Confederates at Gettysburg, there were so many of them. Were they just buried in another cemetary, not considered a "National" one? Was it in Ken Burns "Civil War" that they did an episode about the civilians of G-burg and how they buried bodies for days, and dead horses also. Also, one of the things i remember most from a Clara Barton bio, "Woman of Valor", was her identifying where bodies of both Northerners and Southerners were buried and notifying their families by writing letters to them. Can you imagine?
When i taught in Harrisburg, Pa in the mid-sixties we were required to teach Pa history for one semester and Civics one semester in ninth grade, World History/World Cultures in sophomore year, American History in junior year and a semester of Sociology and a semester of Economics in senior year. When i was in high school in Pa, we had Problems of Democracy (government) in 12th grade. When i taught college, US History 101, i taught a segment that was basically the "govt" course from my high school, so few college students knew anything about the way our govt works. I also made them identify the states on a map.......even tho it sounds like elementary school, how can they understand US history if they didn't understand where the states were? Some knew them already, some didn't. Some had a good sense of govt, others didn't. The saddest part was that when i had "foreign" students, many of them knew more about our history and govt then students educated in US schools.
-
http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/national_cemeteries/Development.html
Confederate soldiers could not be buried in national cemeteries, nor were they afforded any benefits from the United States Government for many decades after the end of the Civil War. When the reburial corps in the late 1860s found the remains of Confederate soldiers lying near those of Union soldiers, they removed the Union soldiers but left the Confederates’ bodies. Because identification of remains was difficult at best, many Confederate soldiers were reburied in national cemeteries, unintentionally as Union soldiers. Confederate prisoners of war were often interred in “Confederate sections” within the national cemeteries. Generally, within national cemeteries and at other cemeteries under the care of the Federal Government, Confederate graves were marked first with wooden headboards (as had been Union graves) and later with marble markers with just the name of the soldier engraved on the stone, so that they were indistinguishable from civilians buried in the national cemeteries. Private organizations, especially women’s organizations established in former Confederate states after the war, assumed responsibility for Confederate reburials. One of the more prominent groups was the Hollywood Memorial Association, which raised funds to move the bodies of Confederate soldiers from the battlefields of Gettysburg and Drewry’s Bluff to Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. The appearance of grave markers varied in these Confederate cemeteries depending on the preferences of the supervising organization.
-
http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/docs/factsheets/history.pdf History of National Cemetery note it was for Union dead soldiers - I am trying to find an ariticle that explains how Congress would not allow funds for the burial of Confederate soldiers and why throughout the South you have woman's groups with widows as young as 16 burying the Confederate soldiers found as the Union soldiers in temporary graves under trees and bunched together behind a hill - there is an untidy story of how some of the cities that were burned to the ground left nothing and some of those left behind sold the bones of Confederate Soldiers for pennies to live on.
-
1958 when the final act giving Confederates legal equality with Union veterans was passed.
It was not till after the Spanish American war that Congress started to mend fences with the Southern Soldiers some of who fought in the Spanish American war - Congress after the Civil War would not release any funds to bury the Confederate Soldiers.
There is much in this article but not yet have I found the decree by Congress after the Civil War.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/04/14/confederate-soldiers-are-american-veterans-by-act-of-congress/
Congressional Appropriations Act, FY 1901, signed 6 June 1900
Congress passed an act of appropriations for $2,500 that enabled the “Secretary of War to have reburied in some suitable spot in the national cemetery at Arlington, Virginia, and to place proper headstones at their graves, the bodies of about 128 Confederate soldiers now buried in the National Soldiers Home near Washington, D.C., and the bodies of about 136 Confederate soldiers now buried in the national cemetery at Arlington, Virginia.”
-
"Can you imagine someone not knowing England was a country?"
I've met several such people.
When I got my California ID, I had to show my birth certificate. It showed I was born in the District of Columbia. "Where is that" asked the clerk, "in Alabama?"
That's not as disturbing as the fact that children aren't taught how our government works. How can we preserve important principles such as the balance of powers and the separation of Church and State if no one understands them?
-
OK last one - from http://civilwarhandbook.nfshost.com/cms/index.php?page=confederate-cemeteries-volume-1 This attitude of women's groups is strong in the South and probably explains the Bush concept of Compassionate Conservatism that included volunteer and church groups taking on the work of social programs rather than government programs.
While the Federal Government spent over $4,000,000 burring the Union Soldiers that died during the Civil War, there was no Federal money spent burying Confederates. The ladies of the South had to provide decent resting places for the Confederate Dead. The ladies organized Confederate Memorial Associations to bury the dead in their area. That the ladies managed to memorialize as many Confederates as they did is remarkable considering the economic woes of the South after the war.
Unfortunately because the memorial associations worked independently a master list of Confederate cemeteries much less a list of the Confederate dead was never complied. The Confederate Cemeteries series will rectify those omissions. The first two books in the series list the burials in over 50 cemeteries in Virginia. The third volume in the series is currently being compiled.
-
When my children were little, I had a lot of those wooden puzzles that came in their own wooden board. One of these was a map of these United States, with just the state and its capital (with a star) on it. My kids all knew all of their states and capitals by Kindergarten!
Little kids adore knowing about "stuff," more than loving to be able to read and write and do maths. That is why my First Grade teacher daughter and I cooked up the idea that she would begin to teach Geography and I would write the book. So she did, and I did. Now there are half a dozen teachers teaching it and this is Becky's FIFTH YEAR of teaching it. It has been wildly successful, her kids excel in vocabulary and reading, the parents and grandparents are hugely enthusiastic, and best of all, because it is not a required subject, Becky does not test them in it. Just once she did, for two reasons. It was in the spring of her first year of teaching it, and she wanted to know how they were doing. So she arranged to test just her First Graders against all 4 of the Fifth Grade classes. Her First Graders beat the Fifth Graders all to bits! She used the results in putting in for a grant, which she won. I am working on a Second Grade and Third Grade Geography curriculum, as well.
Those little kids are really amazing in what they are interested in and what they retain. Most of all, especially the boys, they love learning the flags. They do 36 countries in each year. That is, 36 each for First, Second and Third Grade. They study one country per week, and always have a Show & Tell about what they have researched. Lots of parents and grandparents come in to tell of their travels; for some it may even be a native country. They bring in lots of stuff to show and, best of all, to eat.
-
One thing that grabs the First Graders is that I chose countries they were most likely to hear about right off the bat. This has proved to be invaluable. For instance, several years ago they had done India only 3 weeks before that dreadful weekend when that hotel in Mumbai was attacked and so many killed by a Pakistani terrorist group. The kids caught the sound of "India" when their parents were watching the news, and became all attentive. They came in on the Monday morning just full of stories about it. And they had just done Chile when the miners were caught underground. Over and over now, they are alert to news of places they know about. It is beyond wonderful to us and to their families!
They get a poem about the country at the beginning of each week. Mind you, this is not written to be great poetry, but I have learned children learn well from the rhythm of rhyming. Then they do their own thing all week at home, and come in at the end of the week ready to discuss. There is, in the book, a Teacher Resource page full of information and a list of books for their age group, plus a full page flag of the country and a full page simple map. Not a road map, but a Geography map. Only the teacher has a book.
-
Here, for instance, is Saudi Arabia:
SAUDI ARABIA
Gasoline from oil runs trucks and cars.
A whole bunch of this world’s oil is ours.
Arabia mostly rock and sand,
We have no rivers in this dry land.
Men in The Kingdom all wear a thawb¹,
A long garment you would call a robe.
Made of white cotton, it helps a lot
To keep our guys from getting too hot.
All up and down a blue sea called Red,
The keffiyeh² around each man’s head,
A rope encircles, it’s very chic;
That’s French remember, and sounds like sheik,
Which is what we call a chief or boss.
We use the root of a tree to floss!
Not hello, but if you come this way,
“Marhaba³” is what you should say.
1.”th-whoob”
2.”keh-fee-yah”
3.”mah-rah-hah-bah”
-
That is so neat!
-
Oh Mary Page, I would have loved geography like that. I did not have any geography classes until College and then as Freshmen, we had to learn where all of the countries at that time were and place them on a map.. You had to pass,,or you had to keep taking the test until you did.
I have a wooden US map and you put the states in yourself.. I used it in the RV.. We kept track of where we had gone and glued in each state as we went..I now have it in my office and since I am no longer in the rv, I updated it since my husband and I went to every single state during our marriage. Some more than others, but every single one.. It is common in the rv world for them to have US maps on the side of their rvs with the places they have been glued on.
-
MARY PAGE, that is terrific! Young minds are so absorbent, aren't they. And being
able to learn for the joy of it, without the worry of being tested, is a great idea.
And the family participation...what fun! You and Becky are to be heartily congratulated.
-
Thanks for all that explanation, Barb, that was helpful.
My son loved those wooden puzzles. My dgt wasn't at all interested. That was unfortunate bcs she was 4 yrs ahead of our son in school, she got almost no geography, he got a lot. It was the 70s and 80s when our school district seemed to be constantly changing curricula.
How exciting, MaryPage, to be able to be involved in such a creative, productive activity as textbook/curriculum creating. That must be great fun. I always loved the creating of material and lesson plans almost as much as i loved the actual teaching.
-
Mary Page, that is wonderful! CONGRATULATIONS! What a blessing you, and your daughter are to those children, and their families.
It seems to me that adding your courses as another discussion to SeniorLearn, would be both interesting, and informative. I know that I would love to participate. I do not remember ever having a geography class in either high school, or college.
Sheila
-
BUT MY GEOGRAPHY IS AIMED AT 6 and 7 YEAR OLDS!
-
And soooo - are you suggest we are too old to play children's games - or that we will be embarrassed to learn something new that YOU think we should know - or that we will know the information so quickly that you will have to work harder than you want to in order to feed the game - or drat it all you just cannot remember where you put all those poems from past game days with your family... ;) :-\ ::) :-*
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Actuallly I would love a geography course,, I know that in the US, I can do all the edges, but the middle makes me confused at times.. and Although Europe is pretty straight, the orient and africa are very very confusing.
-
The December 2012 issue of Smithsonian magazine has an article starting on page 88 about a woman who is trying to bring Geography back. She is into Historical Geography or Geographical History, and her work is fascinating. Anne Kelly Knowles is her name.
-
Alas, I find that gaining and keeping new information is no longer as easy as it
once was. And the old information, though still there, is as slow to respond as
my carcass! So aggravating to watch my favorite quiz shows on days when my brain is on a slow-down strike. (But so gratifying when it is alert and focused. 8))
-
The only quiz shows I know of, Babi, are Jeopardy (my favorite) and Wheel of Fortune, both of which I watch fairly often. Are there others?
Marj
-
Here is the Teacher Resource page for Saudi Arabia. You have to think like a six year old! There are 2 Geography books for each grade, and each book contains 18 countries: 1 poem, 1 flag, 1 map (both flag and map in color) and 1 Teacher Resource page for each country. That makes 4 pages per country. Only the teacher has a book. The books are self published by me and are spiral bound. I do them at Kinko's. Now, when new teachers come on board, I do not go to all of the expense of providing them with a book, but I email them all of the poems and resource pages and let them find their own maps and flags on line. They all have good printers and plenty of materials.
SAUDI ARABIA
Books: Saudi Arabia
A Ticket to Saudi Arabia
It almost never rains in this country; can you imagine that! All of their lakes have been dug out and filled with water by the Saudis. That is what the people of this nation are called: Saudis. The official name of their country is The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Everyone calls it Saudi Arabia, or just Arabia, but the Saudis always call their homeland The Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia takes up most of a peninsula we call the Arabian Peninsula. The Kingdom has beaches on both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.
The largest sand desert on the planet is right here. You may have thought it was in the Sahara in Africa, but that does not have as much area covered in sand dunes as does the Rub’al Khali. Saudi Arabia is the largest nation in the Middle East and is 95% desert. The Rub’al Khali takes up most of the Eastern and Southern sections and is larger than the nation of France! This desert is often called “The Empty Quarter.” It is believed there is more oil under the Rub’ al Khali than in any other place on this planet!
The Saudi flag is all green and white; perhaps the Saudis love green because it is so rare in nature in their country. The flag has an Arabian motto on it and a sword below these words. Bet you did not know Arabic is written from right to left, just exactly the opposite of what we do! It is a very beautiful language, and we have adopted a lot of their words into English, we just spell them differently. Some Arabic words you might know are admiral, alcohol, algebra, apricot, coffee, cotton and giraffe! The United States has jobs open for people who can read, write and speak Arabic, so you might think about studying it.
The Saudis built plants to remove salt from sea water so they can drink it. This is called desalination; a big word! The Saudis produce more fresh water this way than does any other country on Earth.
The date palm is their national tree. Have you eaten dates? Do you like them?
The tribes of the desert here have long cleaned their teeth with roots of the Arak tree.
-
http://www.destination360.com/middle-east/saudi-arabia/map
http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=800&bih=403&tbm=isch&tbnid=pjSssK9AZeXBIM:&imgrefurl=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/middle-east/saudi-arabia/&docid=5UuusNEUeDTj2M&imgurl=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/middle-east/saudi-arabia/map_of_saudi-arabia.jpg&w=466&h=350&ei=02PHUOubIq2t0AGbtYHYBg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=2&vpy=90&dur=2547&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=133&ty=93&sig=101639311037506756825&page=1&tbnh=145&tbnw=194&start=0&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:153
http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=800&bih=403&tbm=isch&tbnid=mSxMSlbO2XFb2M:&imgrefurl=http://www.theodora.com/flags/saudi_arabia_flags.html&docid=wdAzZeso_D_koM&imgurl=http://www.theodora.com/flags/new/sa.gif&w=360&h=252&ei=IWXHUPTzG4rD0QG71oG4DA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=120&vpy=13&dur=1578&hovh=188&hovw=268&tx=127&ty=92&sig=101639311037506756825&page=1&tbnh=136&tbnw=194&start=0&ndsp=8&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0,i:156
-
I had geography in grade school, but they managed to make it deadly dull ("name the three largest exports of Brazil or I'll flunk you"). Anyway, half the countries have changed borders and/or names by now.
Mary, that's great!
-
Thank you. I am so glad you enjoyed it. Six year olds think it is cool.
I am very careful to give them no religion, no politics, no controversy. I just want them to learn what the world looks like and that it is full of diverse and different countries.
For your age group, a bit older than six I would guess, I would explain that the term Saudi come from the ruling family, whose founder was Saud. I would also say this wealthy family shares the loot from the nations's oil, and there are over 5,000 members of this family now, with hundreds of princes and princesses.
I would explain the flag is green for the color of Islam. Note I said to the little ones that PERHAPS the flag is green because they have so little of that in their country. But I know better. I also know the slogan says: "There is no god but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God" But I am not going there with them. I could also tell them about the birth of Muhammad and the founding of one of this world's major religions and about Mecca and Medina. That is not my purpose with this Geography.
Becky has discovered, both from parents emailing or coming in to tell her or from her previous students dropping in, that a number of today's 5th graders in that school remember what they learned of Geography in First Grade. They made up her first class to study Geography. Some parents have told her their children developed a passion for knowing about the world. If you make something easy and fun and the children do not feel threatened, memory cells work better.
One little girl named Alex in that first class had been on a trip with her entire family to New Zealand at her grandfather's expense. She got up with all sorts of stuff to show and lectured the class about New Zealand. When she was in First Grade! She was so good that Becky asked her Second Grade teacher if she could leave class and come down and do it again. She did. And in the Third Grade, Alex came down. And in the Fourth Grade. She will come again this year. She wants to be a teacher when she grows up. And teach Geography!
-
What a wonderful gift your daughter and you have brought to the students. Curiosity about the world is one of the wonderful things that bring people closer together. We need to know our neighbor and not fear them..
Ginny,, I think I will skip your book. I really do not like scary books.. or movies..or tv.. I am a chicken ever since the accident.
-
I watch those two, MARJ, and also "Who Wants to be a Millionaire", hosted by
Meredith Viera(?). You can really get to 'pulling for' the contestants, and one
of the contestant 'lifelines' is to 'ask the audience'.
That's what I find most confusing, JOANK. I forgotten most of the old names,
and am wholly ignorant about which ones are now what. (If that makes sense.)
Who knows, MARYPAGE. Maybe green is the color of Islam simply because their idea of heaven is a green garden with abundant water. Congratulations on presenting material that captures the imagination of young children. It's all something to be proud of.
-
How exciting MaryPage, you must feel a great sense of accomplishment and pleasure from hearing that feedback.
Jean
-
I'm with you JoanK -- geography is difficult with so many countries having changed borders and names.
I think I heard somewhere that Myanmar is going to be changed back to Burma. That's how I remember it. BTW, a very good book is FROM THE LAND OF GREEN GHOSTS by Pascal Khoo Thwe, a true story about the author's growing up in the hill country of Burma among the Padsung people (whose women had the long giraffe-like necks), then fighting in the 1970s against the country's dictatorship, and how he ended up at Cambridge Univ. in England.
And the Congo will always be the Belgian Congo to me. Keep meaning to read Adam Hochschild's KING LEOPOLD'S GHOST.
Marj
-
Parents these day should sit and teach a lot of different things to their children prior to them going into 1st grade. Lots of what my children and even some of the grandchildren not being taught anymore . History, Geog. handwriting, English, Just not all the 3 Rs as they called them. They get only certain amount.
Article in our paper today showing where the USA is on the Scale in Education. Not 1st place in any. 13Th in some 7Th in others. Going to show up from it one of these days.
-
a quickie - at my daughter's - first day I am always done in - but it isn't till this evening I even could figure out what hurt - I was just wasted - the plane came in last night at nearly midnight and then the drive and then of course couldn't settle down so my grandson and I were up til 2: catching up - but to the geography - please I never did get the countries in Africa straight or know where half of them are located - along with the area where there are nations like Turkestan so 4th or is it 5th grade geography please...
-
So many countries have now changed their names over the past 70 years. Doubt I remember many of them now .
-
I guess I understand that the countries dominated by a european country wanted to take on a name that meant something to them, but it is confusing at times to figure out where some of these places are.
I found the book I had ordered some time ago in my tbr pile.. The one with the Queen falling in love with reading and the palace disapproving. It is funny in that sly english way.
-
Steph, are you referring to Alan Bennett's The Uncommon Reader? I've been meaning to read it.
I liked reading his The History Boys (the movie of it was hard to understand because of the British English.)
Marj
-
Marj. Read that book. Its very good. I don't think they were disapproving of her reading as she does read a lot of books and has for years. I think maybe it was the way in which she got the books. Did it like most of the seniors in town do it. From a Bookmobile. They think they should take care of her every needs. Tell them and they take care of everything. Elizabeth does a few things that Royals are not suppose to do in their eyes. Even her Corgi dogs roaming all around her homes drive them crazy. Have for years. She just laughs.
We really love her. Can't imagine her ever leaving.
-
yes, The Uncommon Reader is a short book and I finished it yesterday afternoon..What a wonderful book and a wonderful love letter to the Queen.. Being a corgi nut, I know how she adores her dogs and will brook noone in the palace fussing about them.. They are very very ill mannered indeed, but she does not care. The book is a treasure and the ending makes you think about what is important in your life.
-
I also read that charming little book, JEANNE. I thought what had the staff upset
was the fact that she was leaving her little routine, and not following the schedule
they had set up for her. Honestly, they seemed to have every minute of her days
planned ahead and she was supposed to dutifully do whatever they said was next. I
don't know how royalty stands such a life.
STEPH, do you suppose the ill-mannered corgis could be her revenge? ;D
-
I just finished a fascinating book, CALEB'S CROSSING, by Geraldine Brooks. Very well written and hard to put down. She really took me back to 1660's early America. You feel for a woman's lot at that time when she had to kowtow to some male, i.e. her father or older brother, etc. The young Puritan woman, Berthia, tells hers and Caleb's story, and of their longing for an education, difficult because of her sex and his nationality. Based on a true story of the first Native American to graduate Harvard University.
Marj
-
If it's the same man i'm thinking of, I have his autobiography on Kindle. The part where he is a child is fascinating!
-
I think that the corgi are the only thing that the queen has in life that is totally hers.. and yes, I do suspect their ill manners, she secretly enjoys..
-
No! She has full control of her horses and stables. Always been into that since a girl. I think she does quite well also in having her Private times. She seems to have enjoyed her years as Queen from the Start. Always been able to hold her own when it comes to people telling her how to do things. I heard one time that she can put up some good arguments. Lot like Victoria could do years ago.
-
Elizabeth's formidable grandmother, Queen Mary, took her in hand at an early age (and not a thing Mary's son, the King, could do about it even if he had wanted to.) Queen Mary took her about with her and had her with her a lot and made it her goal in life to teach Elizabeth how to be Queen. She succeeded very well indeed.
http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=800&bih=403&tbm=isch&tbnid=cFssm3CBXLhx-M:&imgrefurl=http://www.art.com/products/p4174730189-sa-i4804292/queen-mary-and-princess-elizabeth-1926.htm&docid=48u1gyvWZGcY-M&imgurl=http://imgc.artprintimages.com/images/art-print/queen-mary-and-princess-elizabeth-1926_i-G-46-4623-UBTFG00Z.jpg&w=366&h=488&ei=e7rMULquMMi80QHTiYCQCQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=496&vpy=-11&dur=5344&hovh=259&hovw=194&tx=104&ty=145&sig=101639311037506756825&page=1&tbnh=133&tbnw=94&start=0&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0,i:115
I remember my greatgrandmother, who made her debut before the royals back when that was still done, telling me about a day when Queen Mary and the young Elizabeth went into a shop and Elizabeth made some reference to the shopkeeper about her being a princess and the Queen whisked her out of the shop in anger and told her she could not be haughty like that. Ever!
Actually, the things Queen Mary taught Elizabeth could not have been taught Elizabeth by her parents. Mary was born a princess, which Elizabeth's mother was not, and had been raised to be a queen and had been one for some time.
-
I loved The Uncommon Reader - but I know what you mean about the History Boys film. I am English and I still found it hard to follow - I think it was written primarily as a stage play, and its rather stylised form probably suited the stage better than the screen.
Having said that, Alan Bennett is to me a genius who can do no wrong!
Rosemary
-
Interesting about Queen Mary and Elizabeth, MARYPAGE. I wasn't aware of the different
backgrounds of the two 'queens'. Elizabeth was fortunate to have her grandmother's
guidance in a very difficult role.
I'd like to know more about your beloved Alan Bennett, ROSEMARY. Can you tell me
a couple of your favorite books by him? And I think I'll put "The Madness of King
George" on my viewing list, if they have it. If I understand correctly, he both
wrote that and acted in it.
-
Elizabeth got her passion for racing horses from her Mum, who was totally into horse racing.. Dick Francis was good friends with the Queen Mum.. I remember howmuch he admired her.
-
Babi - as well as The Uncommon Reader, I like 'Untold Stories' and 'Writing Home' - these are non-fiction, collections of diaries, letters and memoirs about his long and varied career and life. One of them includes 'the Lady in the Van', which is about an old lady who parked her ancient van outside his house in Islington and lived there for years - she drove him nuts but they actually developed a strange sort of friendship. He also wrote 'Talking Heads' - a series of monologues that were acted on the TV. He's also written many plays, acted himself (memorably in a stage version of The Wind in the Willows') and been the reader on many audiobooks.
The best bits of his memoirs are, in my opinion, those about his childhood and youth. His family were very ordinary, and he writes entertainingly, but also with great poignancy and insight about his parents and his aunties. Bennett went to Oxford and became famous, and his parents could never really cope with his new lifestyle. One quote that I remember is:
'All families have a secret, and their secret is that they are not like other families.' - so true.
Re Dick Francis, I heard a radio programme about him recently in which someone alleged that it was in fact his devoted wife Mary who actually wrote the books, and that he could hardly put a written sentence together. However, other people who knew them refuted this, and said that it was a real team effort - they churned the books out like a factory, and worked very happily together.
Rosemary
-
I have the DVD "History Boys" Ready to watch tonight but I don't think I will. Saw what it is about. Doubt I would care for it.
-
The Queen was very close to her Grandmother Mary but I think that Charles was just as close to his Grandmother right up until the day she died. I suppose that Grandmother have more time to spend with their grandchildren than what parents have.
That is whats nice about it. One can spoil their Grandchildren. Can also send them away when they have had enough. With my two grands. I could only manage one at a time. Boy and girl. 6 years apart.
-
Apparently, my library did have a copy of "Writing Home". But it's listing in the
catalog for local availibility is '0' of '0'. I'm not sure what that means, except
that they no longer have it, and I'm puzzled as to why it was not dropped from the
catalog. Maybe a patron failed to return it, and they're still hoping it will
turn up.
-
Our catalogue in Aberdeen used to do that all the time - really annoying, as you'd think you'd found what you wanted, then when you went into the page for that item it would say 'no copies in system'. The staff said they hadn't got time to update it. Here in East Lothian it's much better, and the catalogue is up to date - although the software they use is still not great at working out what you want - for example, if an author has been listed as 'C Dickens' and you put in 'Charles Dickens' it can't find anything -whereas, of course, you'd only have to put 'C Di...' into Amazon for it to produce a whole list of possibilities.
Maybe there is a cheap copy on US Amazon?
Rosemary
-
In defence of young parents today, I have to say that the ones I know sit down and help their children much more with school work than I ever did. (Only one of mine ever wanted to do any reading/studying with me, the others saw it as torture, which probably says a lot about me!!) My neighbours with primary school age children are all very concerned and involved in their children's lives and school studies.
Rosemary
-
One of the main reasons Amazon does the business it does is because they make it sooo easy to find anything. I still have the new printer to install as well as well as figuring out where things got stored.
-
Steph.
That is the reason I am still using my old WXP Pro. SIL should be coming to Illinois soon and he still has the new computer that he has put a lot of different things on and taken off what I don't want. I am lost anymore when it comes to settting them up. Even to where the plug ins go. Will let him do it. Back use to be colour coded like the plug ins but not that way anymore it seems. Either that or I am getting dummer on Electronics. I still have a phone and a Mobile one I can't figure out
-
I do so wish I could find a guru.. After the holidays, I will make another search because things that used to do something one way now seem to do it another and I am seriously confused on some other things. This touch screen is not easy the way Apple is.. I should have gotten the Apple, its just it cost a lot more then the others.
-
Steph...is there a high school or community college near you that has a technology person who might do this on the side or would know someone dependable you could contact?
-
That's a good idea, JANE. We have a community college right 'next door', so to speak.
I'll remember that next time we run into a 'brave new world' snag.
-
Those teachers are usually good references for someone good to call on...or they may know of students who are good and could use the $$.
jane
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
All are gone for the holidays, but will make a note and try that when they return. An excellent idea and I would rather a student that needs it gets the money.
-
Such places as Office Depot have people that will come out and set up and show how things work. They are expensive though.
The computer classes at Jr. Colleges will give you names of Students who are usually very good. Some libraries know people also. Just ask who runs their computer room if they know anyone. Senior Centers also have retirees there who know a lot and will help.
My new computer is still down in Texas with SIL. He will be coming up and will take care of it. Up until then this one with XP is running great.
-
Okay, it's official. Today is my birthday and I am 70 years old. I can no longer say that I am in my 60's. I can't help but wonder where all the years have gone.......
Sally
-
Happy birthday!! you share a birthday with my son.
Oh to be 70 again!
-
Oh Sally, I was 75 yesterday. We share a birthday.
No Jeanne, where I live Office Depot wont come to your house, neither will all six of the computer repair people listed in the phone book.They all want you to bring it in. I want it at home where I can make notes and not contend with a large noisy atmosphere.After the holidays will try the community college.
-
Happy birthday Steph and Sally for yesterday!
Steph, another option re the computer may be a retired person. My mother has a guy in his 60s who will come to the house and sort out her computer issues - she says he is really patient and talks her through everything, she can call him if she forgets what he said or it doesn't work, and he charges her £20 per visit (which is so much cheaper than these dreadful shops that are staffed by people who don't want to know unless you're under 30 and have the top of the range everything.)
Rosemary
-
Oh, Steph! HAPPY BIRTHDAY yesterday, and I am mortified that I missed it. hugs and kisses to you from Maryland and Happy Years Ahead!
-
Happy Birthday, Sally! You are sooo young! I got married for the last time when I was 74. He turned out to be the Love Of My Life, and I had known him for 51 years when we married. I married for Old Friendship Love and he was dreadfully lonely and needed me. Was I ever surprised to find myself falling head over heels! Then I lost him. Well, better to have loved, and all that. He let me know I was the Love of His Life, as well. So, see what you might have ahead of you! I'll be 84 my next birthday, so you see, y'all are just a bunch of kids!
-
CONGRATULATIONS TO SALLY AND STEPH FOR ANOTHER BIRTHDAY
IN GOOD HEALTH, CONTENTMENT AND PROSPERITY!
-
JeanneP, when that new computer finally gets to your house, what operating system does it have? My new one has Win7, and I can tell you I sorely miss my WinXP.
-
Happy Birthday Sally and Steph.
-
STEPH: HAPPY BIRTHDAY. dec. 20 produced a lot of good people.
Dan points out that it's considerate of the world to wait til the day after his birthday to end. Looks like the world may be even more considerate and hang on for a few years.
-
Tomereader
It had W8 but I had my SIL who is in the computer business put w7 on it for me. He can Put 8 back on later If I think I want it. I just did not want lots of the things that 8 had gone to. I still have WXP pro on this one and my laptop. Laptop I never use. He put lots of other things on that I needed and some others he took off.
-
I am slowly pulling up the learning curve on 8. It is interesting and I got the flash player thing solved. Now to figure out how to find a way to write letters with letterheads, etc. No more Microsoft Works.. and the office is way too much stuff on it.
I picked up an really older book by William Price Fox that I had in my library. He makes me laugh and is very very southern. Don't think he is still alive or at least not writing any more.
-
Just ran across Jack London's first full length novel. It is called A Daughter of the Snows, published in 1902. London's was early on plagued by accusations of racism.
When reading up on Mr. London, I discovered that he was an advocate for unionization, socialism, and worker's rights. Here, I always thought his novels were about strong, INDEPENDENT types. The only one I actually ever read was Call of the Wild, his third novel.
A Daughter of the Snows (as do others) apparently shows, if not his views, the common views of racism of his day through his characters. In that light, I would be most interested to see how heavy a hand he applies racist comments compared to Earl Biggers Charlie Chan series or even Agatha Christie's portrayal of prejudice against Poirot. And we all know what a stink Helen Bannerman's The Story of Little Black Sambo makes these days and how the publishing powers proceeded to change names to make it politically correct (these days it isThe Story of Little Babaji, version by Fred Marcellino).
I've posted this in the Political discussion also because it may start a conversation on racism in literature over the last century or so.
-
I've made the mistake of picking up some "holiday" books that turned out to be what i would call "romance" books. Do any of you have some fiction recommendations that aren't based on a romance between characters. I'm not anti romance, but it seems many "fiction" books have started w/ the male and female protagonists not liking each other, but, of course, are going to get married in the end. I dont have to read the book, i know the story.
I know you all will have some good recommendations for me.
Merry Christmas!
-
A Child's Christmas in Wales -
Capote's, A Christmas Memories -
Christmas in Fairacre's, a Miss Read story -
The Flying Stars (Father Brown), by G.K. Chesterton -
Cricket on the Hearth, The Chimes , Dr. Marigold's Prescription, Charles Dickens -
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle (Sherlock Holmes) -
The Thieves Who Couldn't Help Sneezing, by Thomas Hardy -
A Chaparral Christmas Gift, O. Henry -
Dancing Dan's Christmas, by Damon Runyon -
Cooper's Gift: A Lilac Creek Christmas Dog Story, by Dana Landers -
A Christmas Angel, Abbey Farwell Brown’s -
Christmas Day in the Morning, Pearl S. Buck -
The Other Wise Man, Van Dyke -
The Chess Player, Koopman -
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Barbara Robinson -
Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons -
An Irish Country Christmas (Irish Country Books), Patrick Taylor -
An Irish Country Christmas, this time by Alice Taylor.
-
Glad to hear there was a Pearl Buck book I had not read. Will see if I can find it. It must go back a few years.
-
Thank you, Barbara, i knew i could depend on my SL friends. ........ I've had an upper respiratory infection and my brain has been fuzzy, i just couldn't think, but, of course, some of your list of books i have read and others i have heard of. I'll start down the list, i'll bet some f them are online.
Jean
-
Somewhere - someone - mentioned that Ken Follett would be on BookTV today. I was actually watching the time - and saw the program. Interesting fellow!
I've just reserved "Window of the World" at my library. There are only 2 ahead of me; however, the library system has 77 copies!
-
It's Winter of the World, Callie - I'm about 2/3 through it, and enjoying it. Have you read the first one? The Fall of Giants.
-
Thanks, Mary, WINTER of the World is the one I reserved! :) Yes, I have read The Fall of Giants and liked it. (I hope I can remember who is who (whom?) in each family!
Ken Follett said he has the outline done for the third book in the series. It begins in 1961 when the German family finds themselves on the "wrong side" of the Berlin Wall.
I've also read his The Pillars of the Earth and its sequel World Without End.
-
Callie, I didn't have any trouble catching up with who was who. ;)
-
Windows 8 is still being a pain, but getting better. I bought my granddaughter a new laptop, with windows 8 and she even spent all day struggling at 17, so I don't feel so bad with my struggles. Got lots of books for Christmas ...whee.
-
I got 5 books for Christmas and a lot of Barnes & Noble gift certificates.
Just finished watching the DVD set of the miniseries of WORLD WITHOUT END that I bought. Well, this is what I have to say: if you were to watch the miniseries without reading the book, I think you would have to observe that it is very well filmed and extremely well acted. I really fell for the actor Blake Ritson, who plays Edward III. The ending they cooked up for this series was way beyond ridiculous, but a story is a story is a story.
That said, the TV series was quite different from the book. They changed just about every little thing they could. Only the bare bone outline of Ken Follett's story remains, and even that is totally changed at the end. Oh well. Follett must have been paid handsomely for it, because he appears in a special feature on the last disc and declares he is well pleased with it. He DOES make the point that the script and his manuscript are quite different things, however. With a huge smile on his face.
-
Possibly the money was enough to cause the smile. I am reading a really old book by William Price Fox, but losing interest. Need to find something to really read. That is my bed book..Remnant Population is not holding me either.. My day book is in the Robert Parker world of Paradise, written by the man who writes the series for tv.. Not bad, but not Parker.
-
Because of a scheduling error at my Book Club, I find that I must again be the Fuggester for January. I decided to find books from young, under-40 authors, for a change. Here is what I have so far:
Swamplandia by Karen Russell. Wonderful adventure storyu in the Florida Everglades. Central character a "True Grit" kind of girl trying to save her family's Alligator theme park, and save her sister from a disastroud pilgriage. Ms. Russel has always written short stories, this was her first novel and it was runner up for the Pulitzer prize that was never awarded.
Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris. Yount professionals in the 70's at a Chicago ad agency , all terrified of lisning theri jobs. Funny and poignant and makes me realize how the fear of unimployment looms larger for this young generation than it everr did for ours.
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides. Love triangle of three people graduating from Brown and going off into the real world Mr. Eugenides, acutally has hit 40 but the book really captures the values of the younger genreration for me: love, religion, career, family. Very good, but critics said not as good as his others. I disagree.
Looking for a fourth . Considering Drinking Coffee Eslewhere by ZZ Packer. Her Arican american parents gave her some long Swhili name with a lot of z's, xso she kept some and dumped the rest of the name. These are short sotries, and i haven't personally read them, amd going by the critics' raves about her use of language, poower of observation, creation of characters marginalized by current society. anybody read any of these authors?
-
Oh, dear! forgot the spell check, of course I am going to suggest books not fuggest them.
-
Oh heck, hahaha I was quite taken with the title of Fuggester, seems like that's all I do lately, fuggest. hahahaa :)
-
I just don't know what my problem is at the moment. I can't seem to find a good book. Me who is use to reading 2-3 a week. Usually Murder, suspense or a good family story. I need to find a book with a lot of humor in it I think just to get out of the rut. None of my favourite writers seem to have put good books out this past year or two.
Back to library today. See what I can find. I have a couple on the long waiting lists. Do have a few DVD to watch made from books.
-
I just returned from the library with my reserved copy of Winter of the World. Those 77 copies are moving pretty fast! Also brought home two Jane Gardam books.
I'm set for the next round of heavy wintry weather....whenever it comes.
<giggling> about bellemere, the Fuggster! Love it!
-
As they say in New York City, "Fuggestuhboudit!"
-
Ah hah, that is what I thought of when she was going to fuggest us.. I am going to Barnes and Nobel today later , since there are some new stuff out and I also need my day by day book that sits by my computer.. And with the confusion caused by windows 8,. I want to see what or if they have a book about it yet.. I am getting used to it and have discovered that at the bottom of the screen, if you click,, you come up with all the sites you use all the time, plus a fewmore that they want you to.. Interesting.
-
JeanneP wrote: "I just don't know what my problem is at the moment. I can't seem to find a good book. Me who is use to reading 2-3 a week. Usually Murder, suspense or a good family story. I need to find a book with a lot of humor in it I think just to get out of the rut."
I know the feeling. Went thru about five books recently trying to find one to finish. Have you read THE KEEPER OF LOST CAUSES by Jussi Adler-Olsen (a Danish author)? Terrific mystery/thriller. I loved the author's wry sense of humor.
Another suggestion for a good humorous book: THE THIN WOMAN by Dorothy Cannell. A young, chubby woman, wanting to impress her relatives, rents a man from a dating service to take with her to a family reunion and introduces him as her financee.
Marj
-
I got the coolest gift from my daughter whose husband works for Brnes and Noble. It
s a blanket, or "throw" made of heavy cotton knit, black background, white letters all over it, quotes from literature. Like "Call me Ishmael" and "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times" Most of them I know but I am having fun treacking down the ones I don't
anyone got "As Gregor Samsa awoke from ......"?
-
FRANZ KAFKA
-
That blanket sounds wonderful.
Marge: cannell writes ysteries, and "The Thin Woman" sounds like a takeoff on the Thin man. Is TTW a mystery?
-
No, JoanK, Cannell's The Thin Woman is not a takoff on The Thin Man. But looking back on my notes, I see that there is a mystery. What I remember most, tho,' is the humor in it. I'll have to read more of her mysteries.
Marj
-
NO idea why, but Cannell is someone I never am able to finish her books.. Silly.
-
I've put samples of "Thin Woman" and "Keeper" on my kindle.
My kindle is my TBR pile. I don't know how many samples I have on it: 30 mysteries alone, not to mention the other books. But the samples are free and take up no space! I only pay if I read the sample and decide to finish the book.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
tome reader, franz kafka? Is that the cockroach guy? I have never read the book, don't know the exact title, but have heard about it.
Everybody should get this one" It is a truth univerally acknowledged....."
-
Jane Austen -- first sentance of Pride and Prejudice.
-
that was too easy. How about"
Midway unpon the journey of my life......."(I finally figured that one out, it is not from
English literature.
And one that absolutely has me baffled: "All children except one gr......HELP
and a teaser: "My urpose in going to......"
-
Franz Kafka "Metamorphosis"
-
so, Metamorphosis was the title of the cockroach book?
-
Finished The Drop.. Interesting in many ways.. Harry ages.. Funny to think of your fictional detective doing that, but Harry does.
-
"My purpose in going..." ;Henry David Thoreau - "Walden"
-
"Midway in the journey of Life" Dante's Inferno.
-
I told Judy i wanted to practice my Hebrew, so she sent me "Metamorphasis" in Hebrew. One day.
-
tome\reader and Joan K. both corrct.
Is this too easy? "Reader, I married him."or "I'll drown by book"
-
I asked for and got Virginia Scharff's.. The Women Jefferson loved for Christmas.. I love her mysteries and thought this would be interesting. It is,, but up to a point. There is a good deal of talk of the evils of slavery and mixed race, when part are slave and free.. Not nearly as much thus far on Jefferson and his mother,wife, now up to when he and Sally got together. Of course I did not realize that Sally Hemmings was a half sister of his wife and 3/4 white.. I do wish she would stop discussing slavery or write another book on it and get on with Jefferson himself and how he related to the women in his life.. Darn.
-
"Reader, I married him." - Jane Eyre
-
Wow! JOANK, you do like a challenge! I wouldn't tackle Kafka in English! I'm sure
he'e brilliant, but my one attempt to read one of his books ended in a relieved
decision to forget the whole thing.
Well, STEPH, the title did state the book was about the women Jefferson loved. And it sounds like she covered them pretty thoroughly. It does seem tho',
that their relationship with Jefferson, and his behavior towards them, would be
a major part of their lives.
-
The Castle and The Trail by Kafka are both brilliant and can be found online to read. The stories remind me of some of our round and round tangles we live today especially with the law.
-
Didn't realize that Sally Hemmings was sister to Jeffersons Wife. So why has she always been written of as A Black Slave? Didn't he have 8 children with her.? I may see if I can find that book. Will read if the print is not really small.
-
Sally Hemings was black. She was light colored black, as her father was the white owner of her black mother. Her father was also the father of Thomas Jefferson's wife, Martha. Martha and her father were pure white. This is the way things were in the days of slavery.
These relationships have not, I believe, been proven, but they are most likely correct. The Hemings/Jefferson relationship was proven some years ago now by blood tests or DNA or something; I forget. Anyway, the white Jefferson descendants have admitted the Heming children's descendants are related and do come down directly from Thomas Jefferson.
-
Interesting..Sally Hemmings grandfather on her Mothers side was white as well.When you count up, that makes three white and one black grandparents.. so I suspect she was very fair.. Nothing remains to tell us, but three of her four children passed for white all their adult lives.
I guess what I am saying that that there is nothing concrete for his Mother, wife or Sally,, just inferences.. She kept backing herself into blaming slavery for quite a lot actually.. It is just that the book is supposed to be about the women and in many ways it wasn't. I still liked it and finished it yesterday.. Having babies in that era was hazardous beyond belief..
-
It is hard to believe all that was going on just 150 years ago. My grandmother was born the same time.
In UK rumors use to go around and most probably still do that lots of people in the Southern States could have black blood in them that could show up later, and to be carefull after the war ended in getting married to anyone.
Then it did come true for a family in my town. She married a nice young man. Thought to be Italian from NY. They had a baby and it turned out to be very dark. Her family upset along with his family. and did research and it did turn out that the young man great grandmother who was not known to them was a black person. She had not raised the child she had. it had been adopted out to a white family and not as a different race. So down the line came.
Hope no one gets offended at me writing this.. It has happened in this country quite a lot. We will see it happen years from now again but now it is looked at a lot different. Many mixed marriages and some beautiful children born who will pass with some not even knowing. I just read the other day that alway there will be a difference in the Genetics and DNA and can be much easier traced. But again. Race will not mean as much. Only certain health when it comes to Genetics.
-
Since there are no pictures of Sally Hemmings and the close familial relationship to Martha.. I do wondor if she looked like her half sister.. Jefferson had lots of opportunities with well educated women who were interesting in their own right.. Possibly he was reminded of his much loved Martha by the younger version.
Ah well. interesting book in many ways..
I have moved on to The Ballad of Tom Dooley by Sharon McCrumb.. It is a fiction account of a true story in the mountains of North Carolina..Thus far, there is not one single person in the book that is good or honest or fair.. Hmm. I like McCrumb, but I also like to feel something for the characters other than disgust.. Darn..
-
I've noticed that some particularly beautiful people can emerge from these mixed
backgrounds. Just think of all the beautiful Eurasians we've seen. Imagine...maybe
if all races gradually merged together, we'd have the original humanity from before
the famous 'Tower of Babel' scandal divided everyone. (Just kidding ;))
-
I've just started Zadie Smith's NW. In her novel, she talks about a very ethnic mixture of people who live in the northwest part of London (their postal code is NW). After reading the first chapter, I almost gave up. But I read a review of the book and an interview with her and understood what she was doing.
I loved this: On page 20, P. 20 Leahs' mother is babbling on the phone about her life and regrets. The author says "The story, once rationed, offered a few times a year, now burst through every phone call, including this one. Time is compressing for the mother, she has a short distance left to go. She means to squeeze the past into a thing small enough to take with her. It's the daughter's job to listen." (Wonderful -- just what I often do, boring my son)
An interesting book, once you get into it.
Marj
-
Babi, I became so upset at racial cruelties I saw as a teenager that I began daydreaming way back then in the nineteen forties about a scenario where all the babies born in this world would, for a period of ten years, disappear completely from their cradles almost immediately after birth and be replaced by a baby born within the same hour elsewhere on the globe. And peoples all over the world found they could do nothing about it (this was pre DNA and pre computers, etc.), so they loved the babies they got instead of the babies they birthed. And racial hatred disappeared all over the world and people loved one another and inter married and got to keep their own babies and, eventually
Everyone looked Hawaiian. All over the world.
-
One still has to think about Genetic when it comes to Mix races. Even now after all these years many Health problems remain in certain ethnics. Have Certain Cancer in Jewish Female Eastern Europe. African Race have others that Caucasians don't have. Seem that Caucasians showing more Alzheimer's. Asian race also have different things but they seem to be the race with the less problems. We have many that those races will not get.
Medical science has a long way to go in curing or knowing how to cure before we can stop worrying about that. In My opinion not gotten very far yet knowing
a whole lot about Cancer. Alzheimer's. they say will be 3 times more in the next 25 years. Lew Garrick decease, MS. are some that they don't know if could be Genetic as records not kept years ago.
We can't loose sleep about such things but the problems are there.
We are the only race that usually cannot keep our wisdom teeth as we age. Even our Jaws are different.
-
Alzheimers is generally an age problem.. Early onset is a different story.That has a genetic component. I was genuinely started to discover when I had the DNA done that I was totally northern European.. Ah well, blonde, blue eyed and very fair skinner.. not sure why I would have thought differently.. In genealogy a lot of families were doing DNA tests to see how interrelated we might be. It is interesting.
A
-
Very imaginative scenario, MARYPAGE. Tho' actually, I don't think I'd want everyone to look the same. Too boring. I'm fascinated by the endless variety of God's creation
True, JEANNE. I wonder if possibly more joining of races would resolve any of
those genetic problems. Different races might have the gene that would help protect
others from inherited illnesses. Marry into a race that rarely develops Alzheimer's
and maybe our kids would be safer? (Not that one would marry for that reason, of
course. :) )
-
Has anyone read any of John Green's books? He is featured by Barnes & Noble today in an email from them. His latest is THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, but he has also written:
Looking For Alaska
Paper Towns
An Abundance of Katherines
And he has been noticed by committees who give out awards for writing and he has been on the best seller list. His books are aimed for young adults. Just wondering if he is any good and if any of you have read any of his work.
-
Babi. Medical Science will have to get a lot smarter in figuring out Genetics. More things seem to be around now that were centuries ago. They do see that people in such as the Nordic areas. China, and places were no mixing as gone on that health is good. Even where interbreeding happened it was only certain things that would show up.
A evil man but remember Dr. Mengil er the German. He was working researching Genetic mixes. May have gotten somewhere had it been a different situation. People thought of him a crazy but had he been able to do his research the good way then a lot would have been found out I believe.
He was later living in Brazil, Still doctoring, and things are showing up in the village he was living in, with people that they think has come from things he was still doing.
-
Steph, Where did you have your DNA tested? I have been looking at the National Geographic Genome project & have been wanting to have mine done. It's fairly expensive & I am not sure if I would know how to read it. Has anyone had theirs tested there? If so, I would like your feed back. Thanks
Sally
-
It was done through one of my ancestor families and was free for me. They also included charts and how to read it.. Very interesting. I gave my husband the National Geographic one for his birthday back in 2009.. He was also pure northern European..
-
JEANNE, I was startled to read that "things are showing up in the village he was
living in, with people that they think has come from things he was still doing."
I've got this big red question mark hovering in my mind, now. I definitely want to
find out more about this.
-
MaryPage - Madeleine (my 14 year old) read The Fault in our Stars, which was hugely lauded here, but she didn't like it much. I think she thought it was a lot of hype about nothing.
Rosemary
-
JeanneP wrote: "remember Dr. Mengil er the German. He was working researching Genetic mixes. May have gotten somewhere had it been a different situation. People thought of him a crazy but had he been able to do his research the good way then a lot would have been found out I believe."
A good fictional book about Dr. Mengele is THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL by Ira Levin (Rosemary's Baby) where the fiendish Dr. Mengale has devised a horrifying project to clone Hitler-like males to start a Fourth Reich.
(made into a 1978 movie with Gregory Peck and Laurance Oliver)
Marj
-
Babi. Dr. Mengele they say is known for many other things that are now used today. Prior to the horrible things he got involved in. Even all this "Invetro conception" that is so popular today goes back that far. He was working on that it was said.
With this thing in the Small town where he had lived in Brazil they are thinking that what has been happening to cause some many women to be giving birth to Twins . Starting back in the 60s may be a way he was treating.(He was still doctoring). It was over half the births . Also so many people looking the same.
This is one thing that all the crazy things Hitler wanted. A race of Tall, Blond, Blue eyed intelligent beings. He thought could wipe out many of the deceases some children born with such as Downs .and many that now seem to be showing up more. (He was born with one). Through interbreeding I think. Believe that it was his mother and father had the same father.
Not much of that WW2 period will have come out in history. Some did in UK when I was growing up. Not even a mention in the USA.
Twins were his big research during the War. We would be surprise if we knew how much progress now done in the USA regarding female type things would go back to the Mengele research.
Had the US found him. I don't think they would have done more than bring him here. Maybe not under his name. They knew what he could do for Medical Science. They would not have destroyed him.
I would have liked to have studied Anthropology at one time. Still find it interesting.
-
Ok I apologize in advance for the severity of these remarks. If you have been to the National Holocaust Museum in DC and you manage to get to the third and last (I think) floor you step out of the boxcar into a room of horrors. If you look down in wells, which are about 3 feet or 4 feet tall and have been done that way to spare any child viewing what's inside, there is film in each of them of the good doctor's experiments. I will never forget as long as I live the expressions on the faces of the people in those films, and they did not even show the children. Children!!!!
There are no words for Dr. Mengele, none. Remember the Hippocratic Oath: First, do no harm. I can't believe we're even discussing that monster.
GO to the museum. Look at the real film and you won't sleep for months and you will not be interested in anything whatsoever he did.
-
I'm with you on this one, ginny. I don't see how ANYONE could possibly think he did "good" things.
-
Every thing has to be known. Good and Bad. So much is kept quiet and that is why horrible things keep on being done.
There were many horrible things done by others in that war and being done today but we are not aware of it having happened and still happening. But no. they let us know on TV, papers lots of things that mean nothing. Many Students questioned this last few years in Schools. Had no idea what the Holocaust was about. Some here in our schools did not even know who was fighting who in the 1st and 2nd war. But the could name every person in "Star Wars".
-
Oh thank heaven Ginny, I was getting ready to explode. I have been to the museum. I have read hundreds of books on the war and nowhere... absolutely nowhere was Mengele thought of anything but a monster. He did not care for who he killed or why,, just his research. I will do so looking, but I would bet that I will not find one thing that he did that had good results.. Visiting Dachau many years ago turned me into a fanatic about what was done in the name of research.. Oh ugh.. please please change the topic.
-
I found an article about the village in Brazil where Mengele spent quite a bit of
time. The percentage of births that were twin is way beyond normal averages. A
picture of all the current crop of twins was a remarkable sight. They all looked
healthy, and fair in appearance, which is also a bit odd considering this is Brazil.
Since Mengele's goal was to create that "race of tall, blond, blue-eyed" beings,
this does seem a strong indication that Mengele was pursuing that goal there.
(GINNY, I imply no approval or support whatsoever of anything Mengele did. The
man was indeed a monster.)
Sorry, STEPH. Consider the subject closed. I've satisfied my curiousity and am
quite satisfied to consign the man to oblivion.
-
Thank you, Rosemary. I was wondering because I have a lot of great granddaughters who are readers. If your daughter did not like him, that is good enough for me.
Ginny, I second everything you said. The man was a sick, sick monster, and the thought of history casting him in a favorable light made the contents of my stomach come up my throat into my mouth. He was not enlightened in any way and his ideas were those of an extremely perverted mentality.
-
I am taking Steph's advice and changing the subject. Several years ago, I started keeping track of what books I had read during the year. I read 75 books in 2012. None that I considered great; but my favorites for '12 were: On Agate Hill by Lee Smith, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Last Child by John Hart and several by a Texas writer Ben Rehder. What were your favorites for 2012?
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I read 40 books that I remembered to write down - more than that because I forgot several.
I read 3 by Colin Cotterill, about the coroner in Laos in the 1970's, and I enjoyed all three.
I also read the Grace and Favor Series by Jill Churchill and several of gth eDonna Leon mysteries set in Venice, again enjoying all.
And Parnassus on Wheels by Morley, a different book from the mysteries I usually read, and that was good also.
I tried and failed with several books, notably Ship of Fools - Not able to read anything too serious this year, I guess.
-
Salan! What a fun exercise you sent me on. I lost my list of books i'd read - and my tbr lists -when my palm pilot conked out on me recently. But i had written down many of what i'd read in a little notebook, so i looked thru it to see what i had marked in 2012. Then i had a brilliant :D idea! I went back thru the "fiction" and "mystery" discussions on SL for 2012! (its 11:30pm, will have to check the non-fiction at another time.....yawn) but what fun to see what i read and what other discussions we had in 2012! In those two categories i read 82 books!!??!! I've impressed myself! ;D ;D. It took a long time, but i could skim thru the pages quickly because i could immediately see my picture come up. I did it on my ipad, so i just scrolled quickly thru each page.
Thanks for the question. I'll come back tomorrow to tell you which ones i liked best.
Jean
-
hmm, the problem is that I don't keep track of books and so the ones read last January are a far distant memory.. I did read and like On Agate Hill. I love Lee Smith. I read several by Stewart O'Nan.. I really like his writing and am trying to track down everything he wrote. Oh I read Parnassis years ago and loved it, An all time favorite.
-
Steph, I read Parnassis on Wheels because of recommendations on Seniorlearn - I get a lot of my book ideas from the discussions here.
I track my books because I participate in a book challenge through another site. The challenge is set out at the very end of the year, and some participants actually pick their books for the challenge ahead of time, such planning! I usually just read and keep track, and then, towards the end of the year I assign books to meet the challenge topics and see what I have left and try to fill in. I am sorry to say, for 2012 my method did not work. I was short 3 books and just could not find titles or authors that worked with the categories. But it's always fun.
-
Here I am a native Texas and I never heard of Ben Rehder! What kind of books does he write, SALAN? Since you read several, he must be good.
I don't try to keep a record of the books I read. I do remember finding a new (to me) author of historical fiction of the Tudor era, C. J. Sansom. I read every one of
his series, which to date I believe is four. Excellent writer.
I wanted to try Stewart O'Nan, but my library doesn't have anything of his.
-
My favorite reads of 2012:
BRING UP THE BODIES by Hilary Mantel
WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE by Shirley Jackson
THE HUNTER by Richard Stark (Donald Westlake)
THE PLEASURE OF MY COMPANY by Steve Martin
GOD ON THE ROCKS by Jane Gardam
TRAIN DREAMS by Denis Johnson
PIGEON ENGLISH by Stephen Kelman
THE UNINVITED GUESTS by Sadie Jones
GARDENS OF WATER by Alan Drew
OUR MAN IN HAVANA by Graham Greene (I didn't care that much for the movie)
Nonfiction:
GRACE AND GRIT; MY FIGHT FOR EQUAL PAY AND FAIRNESS AT GOODYEAR by Lilly Ledbetter
UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand
I read 88 books in 2012, 13 of which were DNFs. (I usually give a book 100 pages before tossing it.)
This year I want to read an average of 3 books/week, including one fiction, one nonfiction, and one mystery (I love good mysteries). I'm going to try to have at least one of the three be from books I own but have not yet read)
Marj
-
I'd never heard of Ben Rehder either. But checking his page at Amazon, Inc., looks as it he writes good mysteries. All have gotten 4-1/2 or 5 stars at Amazon. I put his GONE THE NEXT on my TBR list. Thanks for mentioning him, Sally.
Marj
-
Goodness me, you are some amazing readers! Eighty books in one year!
I didn't manage anything like that, but here goes:
Best books I read in 2012: Let's Kill Uncle (Rohan O'Grady); Blue Murder at Kudu (Daniel Edmondson); Hound Dog Days (Harry Pearson); The Ambassador's Wife (Jake Needham)
Worst books I struggled through in 2012: T is for Terror (Gayle Wigglesworth); The Five People You Meet in Heaven (Mitch Albom); The Testament of Gideon Mack (James Robertson)
Rosemary
-
I've had my kindle for two years and have 385 books in my archives. thats more than one every two days, and doesn't include library books of which I've read plenty. I haven't read them all, but almost. Of course, there are a lot of mysteries which are really quick reads. And I am a fast reader. but still, I can't really believe I read that much. if I organized my reading, I might actually know something!
-
I promised my self that from the 1st day of 2013 I would keep a good record of both books and dvd that I read. Not done it yet. It has gotten now, specially since I retired that I read at least 3 books and I am finding myself ordering from the library books and DVD I have read or watched in years past.
Only takes me a few pages to realize it and put back in book bag. But I need to be more organized. Save dragging books back to library
Maybe I will do that today. Better do it before 7pm as will not get away from the TV until 10pm. PBS station.
-
Oh! good. I found a way. I picked up the 2013 Magazine at the Library the other day. Great listing of the best books voted for in 2011, 2012. I will use that list for ordering and then just cross it out making a note as to if liked or didn't finish.
My problem again is I like to read the Large Print books. Was getting that many where coming out this way but seems they have cut back.
Figuring that if people want easy to read they can use a READER.
Will see how this works out.
-
Oh Rosemary! Don't compare yourself with us retired folks whose children are off on their own and don't require much of our time. I can stay up half the night reading if i want to and adjust my next days activities to catch a nap. ;D
I have to write down the books i read in something small enough to drop in my jacket pocket - it keeps me from coming home from the library w/ three books i've already read!?! ;D :o
O.k., to answer Salan's question properly ......... My favorite books of the year are A Women's Place - Lynn Austin (4 women working in a munitions factory in WWII); Explosive Eighteen - Evanovich (i laughed and laughed, her best book in a while IMO) ; Fall of Giants; the Physician by Noah Gordon, my first by him (historical fiction- Middle Ages - man trying to get an education in medicine pretends to be a Jew in order to be trained by Jewish doc in Middle East); Whisper by Belva Plain ( upscale couple hides the fact that husband is a wife abuser) ; Brown-eyed Girl by Virginia Swift (women's studies prof in Wyoming solves mystery); Clara and Mr Tiffany, forgotten author, i'll get back to you ( story of a women who was probably responsible for many of the early Tiffany designs) fiction.Susan Vreeland
Jean
-
Oh, i just found this about The Physician on Amazon:
Read by millions in thirty-two countries, soon to be a major motion picture, and voted “one of the ten most-beloved books of all time........"
Also discovered it is the first of a trilogy, the second one is titled Shaman and his descendent leaves Scotland and comes to Boston. My library has it, another tbr! The third one is titled Matter of Choice. but in another place saw it titled as Choices
I don't know who did the voting on "one of the ten most beloved books of all time." i liked it, but i dont know if its in my top ten.
Jean
-
started to count and it became too complicated - some books are easy since I buy on Amazon and I do list most on Shelfari and Goodreads - but many quick reads fall through the cracks - the ones you pick up and stay up till 3: in the morning to finish or the ones you pick out at B&N or Book people and sit in the store with a cup of coffee and before you know it is night time outside and you have finished the book.
I really enjoyed reading Bleak House here on Senior Learn - not just because of all the imput but I became aware of just what a fine writer he is.
Favorite novels -
The Snow Child -
The Storyteller of Marrakesh: A Novel -
The Tragedy of Arthur: A Novel - Wow what a writer
The Night Circus -
As The Pig Turns (Agatha Raisin, No. 22) - Just love this series and cannot miss any, a quick few hour read but oh so much fun.
Books from which I learned a lot -
What Southern Women Know about Faith: Kitchen Table Stories and Back Porch Comfort - a couple of stories from a different perspective that were just what I needed to hear
Making Ideas Happen -
Molecular Gastronomy: Exploring the Science of Flavor (Arts and Traditions of the Table: Perspectives on Culinary History) -
Meister Eckhart, from Whom God Hid Nothing: Sermons, Writings, and Sayings -Blew me away.
The Cambridge Illustrated History of Germany (Cambridge Illustrated Histories) - This book alone set me off on a series of books about ancient tribes like the Lombard's and the Goths and the Merovingian's etc. At least 9 other books just for the first few chapters - not finished reading the book yet since each historical event prompts more questions and more to read like Religious Poverty and the Profit Economy in Medieval Europe. Fascinating stuff!
I hope I can sneak this in beyond the 10 - it is a different category she says and asks plaintively - books of poetry - my favorite - Joy Harjo's She Had Some Horses -
-
Babi, Ben Rehder's books are usually (but not always) comic mysteries with quirky characters. I had never read any of his books...thought they wouldn't appeal to me; but one of the charter members in my ftf book club recommended him for one of our selections. The books are well written and easy to read. A lot of them take place in Blanco Co, TX. I believe he lives in Austin. Barb, have you read any of his??
Thank everyone for their response. It's fun to see what books you enjoyed. I have read a number of them and enjoyed them, also.
Sally
-
Noah Gordon.. Oh me, I have read most of his books. An excellent author who does really really thorough research. Do look for his others..
I am impressed with the lists. I keep certain favorite authors in my tbr piles so that when I am in a really horrid mood, I can go and find something I know I will enjoy.. Clara and Mr. Tiffany was a favorite from last year.. Made me appreciate the Morse Museum, which is local and a huge respository of Tiffany. Best in the world..
-
Per JoanK, "And I am a fast reader. but still, I can't really believe I read that much. if I organized my reading, I might actually know something!" LOL, I just wish I did as well as you!
Thanks to everyone, my TBR llist has expanded. So many interesting books.
One book I want to read is Sam Harris' FREE WILL (a short book of some 90 pages). From a review: "Free Will is an illusion so convincing that people simply refuse to believe that we don’t have it. In Free Will, Sam Harris combines neuroscience and psychology to lay this illusion to rest at last. Like all of Harris’s books, this one will not only unsettle you but make you think deeply." This would probably make for a good book group discussion.
Marj
-
ROSEMARY, you really need to give up the idea you have to 'struggle through' bad books.
It's a waste of time you could be spending reading a good book. And it can be so satisfying
throwing one across the room when really, really irritated.
Sounds good, SALAN. I enjoy comic mysteries. BARB, I'd like to get my hands on that
"Meister Eckhart, From Whom God Hid Nothing". That's staking out a mighty big claim!
MARJ, I believe we do have free will. The catch is, we have to be willing to face the
consequences, and we usually are not. :-[
-
I agree, Babi, no one should struggle thru bad books. Life's too short. Spend time with the good/great ones. I like what Dorothy Parker said: "This is not a book to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force."
As to free will, I've often wondered whether we have it, altho' everyone seems to believe we do. That's why I want to read Sam Harris's book. Have you read it?
Marj
-
Yes, Salon - he seems to be a quarky as his books - he was a speaker on a panel of Texas authors a couple of years ago at the annual Book Festival - I believe he lives over near San Saba someplace but frequents Austin. I always give books as gifts or part of gifting during Christmas and for a couple of the men who are not big readers I usually send one of his books - they are light and fun filled with phrases we are used to hearing.
Babi some of Meister Eckhart's letters are online - I will try and find them - there are books I just cannot give up - I return to them to review passages and this is one of those books. His explanation of the soul and how it connects to God is so magnificent that he says, is not of our doing and that all we can do is say Thank You - That is why you see especially, among College Students Tshirts that say Thank You and then in tiny print Meister Eckhart.
His writings probably hit buttons for me since the church we attended when I was in 3rd to 8th grade was all about Adoration of the Eucharist with very little Bible reading - Masses were glorious with organ music, candles, incense, etc. and very short Homilies. There was nothing special about the long wooden building but everyone's skill was utilized to build and maintain the church and grounds. Each act of work was considered a form of adoration from ironing the alter cloth to mowing the lawn. And so it was easy for me to see the wonderment in the words of this 13th and 14th century Dominican.
-
Babi - you are so right! Two of those three 'struggle' books I listed were from the library book group, and since then I've had to read another one (The Savage Garden' by Mark Mills - AWFUL self-indulgent rubbish) - this is why I want to leave the group, and indeed I am not going to its meeting today. The Wigglesworth one was a Kindle freebie, and so bad that it was actually quite funny (and short) so I suppose I didn't really 'struggle' with that one - I quite enjoyed reading all the worst bits out to Madeleine!
By the way, might you be able to get Gavin & Stacy on Netflix?
Rosemary
-
Free Will.. Hmm, I wish I were sure we had it, but I suspect destiny,birth and many other factors are there as well.
I am in the middle of one of those weeks, you want to put away and never think of again.Thus far,, refrigerator is broken and a part ordered, but it has not come in.. Town water says I have a slow leak and I am testing every single source of water in the house.. sigh.. No idea what I will do when I find it, but I am testing..I have too many meetings, all with at least one human who simply cannot be nice to anyone.. Sigh. Another organization needs me to make a home visit for some people who want to adopt a corgi and I am really short of time, but they seem nice and are anxious, so somehow.. and at the end of the week, we will be scattering ashes.. My love, at last in water he loved and sailed on for so many years.
-
Haven't read it, MARJ, and really, I don't believe I want to. Mr. Harris is entitled to his
opinion, but I don't feel obliged to read all about it.
Thank you, BARB. I will be interested to read what you find. I intend, tho', to locate a
copy of his work and purchase it for my permanent library. I look forward to reading it.
Don't know, ROSEMARY. I can check and see. Often, tho', the British series do not have
the closed captioning I need. I'll see what I find.
-
I had a religious class in college (required, it was a Catholic college) where we read and discussed free will. I came to the conclusion that free will isn't free at all. In fact, there isn't really a choice; you choose Christ or you aren't choosing at all. I don't think that was well explained. I found the whole thing confusing, so that would account for my poor explanation.
I don't make lists of books I've read except to mark my inventory list whether read or not and if I liked it. Which reminds me. I must make an addition or two and update the thing. Most of the year was taken up by reading Scifi. I have done all of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom Series (John Carter, et.al.), John Scalzi's Redshirts (a lot of fun), and the Halo series based on the game. I was quite taken with the Halo series except for the second book. The Flood was a bit tedious, but it did introduce the reader to an important element to future books. I am still reading The Ripple Effect (nonfiction) which I put on hold for a while. It is now into an area of water use in which I am interested. Early last year I read a few mysteries including House of a Thousand Candles (forget the author's name) which I would liken to some of those old suspense thriller movies. You know the kind of thing - guy inherits an old mansion out in the middle of nowhere which he must inhabit for a whole year in order to receive the inheritance, strange goings on, secret passages, pretty girl, etc. Enjoyed it a lot.
-
House of a Thoursand Candles sounds fabulous, Frybabe. I believe you are the best read person I ever met! Thanks for that recommendation.
Free will, every time I hear that phrase I think of Dickens where the Ghost of Marley tells Scrooge what that chain he wears is:
I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it. Is its pattern strange to you?"
-
Wonderful quote, Ginny.
-
Now my small town library do have the DVDs of Gavin and Lacey. Surprised if it can't be gotten on Netflix. Now our library can get things on loan from most all of Illinois. If many ask for it they usually buy their own copies.
-
Great quote Ginny - As I understand Free Will it is not the opposite of control by another but rather, about per-destination versus Free Will and yet, we have various views used in Theology even among Christians as well as, the view of Free Will basic to the Law -
As much as we are learning about the brain that shows the hypothalamus as wanting more pleasure stimulation and by increasing dopamine we increase our pleasure in solving problems to pleasure of social interaction as well as, affecting a pleasure/reward center so that you have to wonder if the Law saying free will is basic to responsibility will be turned on its head. Those researching the brain so far seem to suggest much of our behavior is biological and those authors writing about habit are also suggesting health habits that increase dopamine affect our abilities, like the ability to focus.
Here is a nice pdf article on Free Will -
http://www.phc.edu/UserFiles/File/_Other%20Projects/Global%20Journal/8-2/JWMontgomery%20Free%20Will.pdf
And this is a great site that goes into free will versus predestination and how up to a third of this nation believes our destiny was set by God versus a free will.
http://www.indiana.edu/~rcapub/v29n1/will.shtml
-
Ah, Barb, you brought up a point I had forgotten about in the class, predestination vs. free will. It rings a bell somewhere. The interesting thing is I still have two books from my religion class(es) but neither one has free will in the title or in any of the chapter headings. I was going to try to reread that section. So, now, did I have another book that went missing or what? The free will discussion is practically the only thing I remember (vaguely, and probably because I found it hard to fathom) about the class. I am going to read your article. Maybe that will help.
-
Ah Steph, it sounds like you have a week that could be overwhelming, don't forget to take some time "to chill", as the kids say. Hope you can relax some next week.
My husband was a bio major when i met him in college in 1962. At that time he said he believed much of people's personalities, including sexual preference, were determined by brain chemistry. The older we get and the more science can look at the brain the more this seems to be true and free will has less and less to do with our behavior. Then if we add all our personal psychological needs, free will diminishes even more. Of course, we don't want to think about that being true and in most of our day-to-day activities it is nt true, which makes it easy for us to want to believe we have free will.
-
{{{{{Steph}}}}}}
-
Steph, what an emotional event you have coming up. I will be thinking of you this weekend.
-
Per those articles you posted on Free Will and predestination, Barb, it's beyond me how anyone can believe that stuff. But that's me. An atheist thru and thru.
Marj
-
;) :-* aren't you glad you live now where and when you can choose your beliefs rather than during Medieval Europe when politics and religion were all one and to live under the radar was not so easy. My grand has a new set of ideas and beliefs he is arguing - that Technology and the capacity of the brain that is more recently understood is the basis rather than any God - there are several Theologians exploring this possibility but as you know there are many theologies conflicting within one religion and especially within the Catholic religion.
-
"aren't you glad you live now where and when you can choose your beliefs rather than during Medieval Europe when politics and religion were all one and to live under the radar was not so easy?"
Absolutely! And you don't have to go back that far. I'm thankful I wasn't born in the Middle East where people believe it's okay to kill you if you don't believe as they do.
Marj
-
I really got a good laugh out of the Indiana Univ. prof. who apparently believes in Predestination, talking about the 400 year debate over predestination and self-determination. Reminded me of the group the Pope put together that spent years debating where unbaptized babies who died went -- heaven, hell, or some kind of limbo. And talking about Augustine who wasn't ready yet to stop sinning and said something like, "save me Lord, but not yet." And the pastor at Saddleback College who told the new members that God knew they would be there and also knew eveything even to the color of their tablecloth. How on earth can people keep a straight face when listening to that kind of stuff?
Marj
-
Formal written history has a way of isolating one viewpoint as if that was the only one - The Christian church has always built itself around the traditions and local folklore of the people that were being converted often by their ruler - Until Vatican II there were 52 rites to the church - that means 52 liturgies and views and holy days and ceremonies just like we have separate states - During Vatican II it was agreed that there would be a reduction to 26 rites. In common they have only dogma and even that is split by some of the rites - with only dogma in common that leaves room for many viewpoints. We have many in the church speaking from their understanding that journalists, so used to one leader think they are talking for the whole church or at least the church as they know it in the US.
We also have other Christians who have their particular theology - just as we have many learned philosophers or historians. The bigger split is between the Eastern Orthodox and Rome as compared to Catholic and Protestant which came from Christian Jews in the first and second century. Eastern Orthodox still disagree as a result of the Council of Trent that Jesus is both man and God. A 1200 year issue so that 400 years is nothing.
As to taking so long to agree to something this educated nation in America thinks is kindergarten - we forget this world wide church must work out how to meld the one law or dogma into not only every part of the world where folks have different advancement in education, different cultures that are celebrated as part of the spiritual life in local parishes with different ceremonies and values that determine good and bad - from Bush men in Borneo to a Sorbonne educated French elitist, ancestor to the French/Rome crown with folks like us liberal thinking Americans demanding as if the entire world is on the same plain.
We are not the only ones rebelling - many in France have left this voodoo politically run slow to change church, while whole swaths of Germany have recently broken ties with Rome - It is often difficult to see where the politics of the church end and the concern for a spiritual life begins.
Just as today there are strong opinions on gun control - often the views are dictated by where folks live and their understanding of individual liberties - well the same thing in the church - we have had many a crooked or outrageous congressmen - well so does the church among the Curia - I think we have this idea that the church is supposed to only attract perfect clergy that have no human faults - that is like saying Santa Claus brings our gifts - a childhood wish -
As to why those of us who post on Senior Learn and who find religion and or any view of a God important - Even those of us of the same church affiliation would most likely have our own reason and way of practice and understanding and probably even different education in the religion. For me, I can do a pretty good job of sharing history and how the Christian church affected nations, education, history and bound folks together - I can also share my willingness to learn and grow and accept there are conflicting theologies on many subjects from the past and the present.
I do know Hans Kung, a respected theologian and philosopher, who after examining many religions questioned if the Catholic Church was relevant - (He was one of two of the youngest priests theologians that served the Cardinals during Vatican II along with the young man who is pope today) - no fly by night but seriously thinking following Matthew Fox, who left the church for another - bottom line he explains himself in two books - Why I am still a Christian written in 2005 and in 2010 he wrote What I believe.
I've shared I grew up attending Catholic schools - one with the Benedictine's and the other with the Carmelites - both orders require many years of education before ordination - Back in the 1940s and 50s it was 15 years for the Benedictines and 18 years for the Carmelites. In spite of all that I still left the church as a young wife and mother - I continued to read and study but it is only in the past years that I have become closer to the church and see its value. However, I do pick where I go to Mass carefully and choose the Catholic University in Austin because there is a more thinking educated attitude in the Sunday homilies. Most University churches are not a parish church therefore, the local Bishop has no jurisdiction - their head so to speak is the Abbot in their main monastery.
Sorry this is so long but you asked a big question - Part of your very question is uppermost on my mind for a very different reason - there is new theology that suggests a new explanation of God that I want to find out about - My sister was a Dominican and is a recognized philosopher specializing in women philosophers through out history. She has recommended some current women theologians work for me to read - but further, like you, I wonder - I do not understand the Christian Right and how they think as they do - and so my plan is to read -
Why We Believe What We Believe: Uncovering Our Biological Need for Meaning, Spirituality, and Truth by A pioneer of neurotheology, Dr. Andrew Newberg and co-author Mark Waldman the World's leading experts on spirituality and the brain.
Why God Won't Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief again, by Dr. Andrew Newberg and Eugene D'Aquili, a psychiatrist and anthropologist who studied the effects of religious and mystical experience on the brain and Vince Rause, author of several books, his first Miracle in the Andes, 72 Days in the Mountains and My Long Walk Home.
The Need for Roots: Prelude to a Declaration of Duties Towards Mankind by Simone Weil, a French philosopher, Christian mystic, and social activist.
Myth & Christianity: An Inquiry Into The Possibility Of Religion Without Myth by Karl Theodor Jaspers a German psychiatrist and philosopher who had a strong influence on modern theology and co-author Rudolf Karl Bultmann a German Lutheran theologian and New Testament scholar who was one of the major figures of 20th century biblical studies and a prominent voice in liberal Christianity.
Why not saturate your curiosity by joining me and we can compare notes. I've already ordered, Why God Won't Go Away...
-
During Viet Nam, I had a crisis of conscience and converted to Quaker, I simply could not believe that war is useful in any way.. Sending young men and women to die while old men pontificate in congress.. So I feel remote from most of the discussion.. Simply find predestination as foolishness, but I know that lots believe in it. my theory is you should be able to believe whatever helps you deal with your life.. In my case, the calm anddeliberate distancing of the quakers makes me happy..
-
Thanks BarbStAubrey for posting those two links on free will and predestination. I needed a good laugh. To me these debates are much ado about nothing.
-
Marjifay, I have read most, if not all, of Sam Harris's books. I still have some, and some I have passed on to granddaughters.
I so do not hold with most of the old theologies and dogmas. Oh, the fallacy of dogma! But I still remember a book I read eons ago, oh, what WAS the name of it? I think it was back in the nineteen forties and that it was called something like The World, The Flesh, and Father Smith. In it, a Presbyterian pastor was explaining to the Catholic priest why his flock believed in predestination. And he said it was like you were standing on a mountaintop and you could see a train coming around a mountain across the valley from the left, and one coming around that same mountain from the right. And you could SEE that they were going to meet and crash, and you could do absolutely nothing about it. And he said that was how it was with God and us mortals.
Well you know, I've always kind of felt he had something there!
Anyway, Barbara, the basic thing about the new Christianity now prevalent here in the United States (and definitely not in the rest of the world) that makes it differ from the Christianity I was raised in is in the matter of being saved. I have been following closely, or at least DID follow closely, as I'm getting too ancient to care as much now that my main activity seems to be keeping this ancient bag of bones alive (counting out those damn pills!), the rise and now slow decline of the Fundamentalists with fascination since the spring of 1977 when they came into my county Republican Caucus and took it over. Amazing stuff.
And I conclude that I was taught that one day I will have to stand in front of God, barefoot and in my little white nightgown, as it were, and answer for all of my misdeeds. There they would be, right on the bare boards in front of me, and I would not be able to hide. Even every fib I ever told as a child. And I would be told that it was good that I fed the sick, visited the dying, comforted the grieving, and respected my elders; but how about my sins of omission when I let an opportunity to give comfort go by?
But if you have been "Born Again" you are saved. It does not matter how many sins you commit after that; you ARE saved! I cannot imagine this way of things.
I used to monitor the religious channels on TV; watching them for hours on end. I was most startled when I heard Jimmy Swaggart tell an audience of millions that Mother Theresa would not go to Heaven unless she chose Our Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour!
I jumped up from my chair and yelled at the TV: "You Idiot! She's Married to Him!"
Well, we mortals come up with more useless stuff. IMHO we should be studying on how to end our constant killing of our own species. We should learn how to cooperate and get along.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Interesting list of books, Barb. I've put a couple on my TBR list, including Why God Won't Go Away.
A couple of my recommendations: (I have a page full, but these are to the point and not long-winded):
Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris
Jesus Interrupted; Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible by Bart D. Ehrman
Marj
-
Certainly responsibility is based on freedom of choice. If I am not allowed to discipline
a troublemaker, I cannot be held responsible for his undisciplined actions. There is a
physical source of our pleasure, as you point out, BARB, but there is also a mind capable
of thought and decision. IMO, it depends on which is the 'boss' in our lives. The body and
it's wants, or the mind and it's choices?
To me, 'predestination' would mean I really have no choice or control over anything. Yet how many times do you see in the scriptures, "Choose ye..."? If I have no choice, than nothing that happens can be my fault, or 'sin'.
-
Marjifay, I have a set of lectures from The Teaching Company that are called From Jesus to Constantine and are given by Professor Bart D. Ehrman at UNC at Chapel Hill. He got his Ph.D. in Divinity from Princeton and is Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Chapel Hill. I have at least a couple of his books around here, as well. There are 24 lectures in my set of DVDs.
-
MaryPage, don't you love the Teaching Co.? We have lots of their courses.
-
Yes, I DO love them. And I have shown an excess of zeal and purchased way too many of them, and now force myself to throw away the catalogs without looking at them and ignore the emails offering sales until such a time as I actually catch up and WATCH and STUDY all of these more than 30 I have yet to take up.
What an old silly I am. But enthusiastic!
-
MaryPage, I must join your "Old Silly Club". I have ordered a multitude of Teaching Company/Great Courses programs. I have Art, Religion, Literature, Writing, WWI and WWII and other History. I dare not count the hours I need to remain amongst the living to take in all these wonderful programs. Have several of Bart Erhman's. Of course, you know that I am the same way about BOOKS, (yes, that's capitalized!) my great love, books. Will never finish reading all of the ones I have on hand either.
-
Thanks, Mary Page. I did not know Dr. Ehrman had lectured for The Teaching Company. Will look for them.
I've often been tempted to purchase some of the Teaching Company's lecture courses, but have never done so. Just got one of their catalogs in the mail, and love to look thru it.
Marj
-
I don't think John has ever bought one for full price...he just waits until they go on sale. ::)
-
Yes, read Jesus Interrupted; Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible by Bart D. Ehrman back some time ago - and yes, there are so many discrepancies that we can point to that make us think, how in the world can anyone believe this stuff - but again, every Christian does not take to their heart every aspect of Christianity. I just think we have to respect everyone's spiritual life -
Dogma is simply Law and like living and caring for our family and neighbor we seldom bang up against something that brings the Law into question. There are many laws on the books that we individually do not agree with - but then how many of us have been sued - Do you have a hitching post in front of your house - a law still on the books in many states - and like it or not while in our vehicle we have to obey laws that we sometimes are ticketed for - Knowing the history of how the law came about helps whether it is local Laws or Church laws called Dogma.
With Dogma only affecting those who live in that community which I understand is a great number - like over half the world population - no one is asking anyone not a part of this community to adapt Dogma to replace any international or in the US national law - if someone has suggested you are not acceptable because of your belief that is more about them than you - I do believe we can respect others to take care of their own spirituality just as I do believe respect can be afforded to those who do not agree on any issue but for sure who they place their trust with for their spiritual growth.
I am sorry my long winded posts are not to your liking - I do the best I can as I am sure you do your best - no one is suggesting pithy posts are something to comment on. We disagree on how we express ourselves both in posts and in our spiritual life - that is fine we simply disagree.
-
;) :D I think it is funny we are discussing religion in the Fiction discussion - maybe - who knows - however, I have yet to see a business graph for a balanced life or a 'make change in the New Year' circle graph that does not include among its 6 or 7 areas a section for improving your spiritual life - ah so we each improve in our own way... even Tolkien explored spirituality in his fiction novels the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings.
-
Barb, that's the great thing about books - you never know where they'll lead you! :D
-
[ (The Savage Garden' by Mark Mills - AWFUL self-indulgent rubbish)
Rosemary
[/quote]
Rosemary, our group read The Savage Garden a couple years ago, and was well-received by almost all. In fact, I
was the one who recommended it I think it was in our Mystery Club, rather than the general club. I thoroughly enjoyed it myself. What was the self-indulgent you referred to?
-
Oh me.. I think discussing religion is a slippery slope for sure... People feel so differently about it.. I sort of back away from all the discussions.. After my husband died, I got a lot of very nice people who truly did not realize or know my husband.. Speaking of where he was and how he was was offensive in many ways.. He truly did not believe in any of it and was quite adamant about it.. The last words I spoke when they took away all of the machines.. was " I know you don't believe, but just in case, you better wait for me" and I think in a small secret place that he looks over me as a pure spirit..
-
He's in your heart, Steph - and will always be there for you.
-
I never get into the subject of Religion. Have many people around me who try to preach as to why I should be a church goer etc. Get into the Christmas spirit. Pray for me over the smallest thing.
I just say one thing. "God and I have a good understanding" and leave it at that.
-
Did someone on here, or on "The Library" board, or Seniors and Friends post about "Book Movement"? Do you have a book group you used or just individually? I went there and registered. I wanted to enter to win a book, but they seem to want only book club members to enter, and you have to show the names and emails of your book group members. I am hesitant to do that. Some feedback please if you subscribe to that one?
-
Tome, I think it is a site mostly for people who manage book clubs rather than individuals.
-
Barb posted, "I am sorry my long winded posts are not to your liking - I do the best I can as I am sure you do your best - no one is suggesting pithy posts are something to comment on. We disagree on how we express ourselves both in posts and in our spiritual life - that is fine we simply disagree."
Barb, if you were speaking to me, I did not mean you were long-winded. I was talking about books that were long-winded.
Marj
-
Whoops I see - it is really easy to misunderstand when writing is our only communication - tone of voice and body language says more than we realize and we were coming from different directions on the topic - alls well ;)
-
I remember on the old Senior Net,, some of the discussions got soooo rude and offensive. I am sure that the people involved were not that awful in person. Politics got toxic as did religion and womens rights..
-
Oh, you are so right about that, BARB. In fact, body language can sometimes convey one's
opinion very clearly, without a word spoken. And a simple change of tone can totally
change the meaning of a word or phrase.
-
Personally, I simply adore, eat up in fact, hearing each and every individual's opinion when they are intelligent enough, as all I have encountered in here certainly are, to back up those opinions with reference to how they came by them. It matters not to me if one or more is 180° opposite me; I truly enjoy the give and take.
But name calling and personal attacks send me scuttling off forever and ever. I strongly dislike rude, crude and unrefined. If you cannot tell someone what you think without attacking the person you are telling, you were not raised to be a Lady. Period.
Oh, and my reference to that statement? All of my great grandmothers, grandmothers, great aunts, aunts, mother and stepmother, and various others. My teachers taught us you show true intelligence best if you can debate without attack. Hard to do sometimes, but much, much more civilized than every political or religious forum I have ever tried, drat it!
Barbara, I wondered why on earth you thought someone in here thought you had too much to say. My Dear Friend, it is closer to truth that you do not go on long enough. Now, next time you feel offense has been given, I challenge you to read again the post that hurts. And if someone does attack you, I will stand right behind you and come to your defense.
-
Interesting topic about the length of posts. One would think as readers we would love to read posts but I've had people tell me they never read mine, they are too long.
I hate that because I'm not capable of making short ones. hhaahaa So I put mine in green so they are more easily skipped. After all, at this age, I'm used to talking to myself.
I have tried, tho, and I do try to leave lots of white space, in the vain hope that helps, but the way we write is who we are. How I envy people who can keep it succinct, and with a few words say exactly what they mean. :)
There's not going to be any attacking going on , on this website. OUR readers are too intelligent. :)
(And just look: 4 paragraphs to say that). :)
-
I like the variety of posts, and if I haven't much time, or feel like skimming one, then no one has to know. Another day, I might wish there is more to read.
The problem with discussing religion is that there might be ten people who are respecting others' opinions, but it only takes one being rude and disrespectful to turn the whole discussion sour. That's why I usually skip such discussions.
-
OVer in Sand F. we don't have problems as they don't seem to get into Religion at all. However it did get a little one sided before the Elections. I got in but got out pretty fast. Still read them once in awhile but still to one sided. A few other subjects come up once in awhile.
I have not been told to Leave the Country for awhile......
-
Not seen any of the Switched at Birth on TV. (I don't have Cable). It is at the Library on DVD but must be new as they are not loaning it to our library from the big one other side of Town. Will tell ours and they will buy it. Lots of names waiting at the other library. Thats reason will not loan.
However ours does have all the Seasons for "Brothers and Sisters " and so ordered them.
-
Bye the way. That is one Handsome French Man playing in Switched at birth. He was on TV talk show this morning.
-
What is switched at birth?? A real TV show or another tiresome real life stuff.
-
NOT one of those reality shows, Steph. You could not PAY me to watch one of those!
No, this is a show that was new a year or two ago and was written to be family-friendly. In fact, it has been shown only on the ABC FAMILY channel, and you can probably catch it on ON DEMAND.
I am tiring of it now, but the story was new and fresh and delightful at first. The acting is quite marvelous. Two baby girls born the same day in the same hospital get switched at birth. And no one knows until they turn 15 and one of them, the one whose family is rich and who goes to a posh private school, is studying genes in her Biology class and blood types and all that and discovers her blood type does not match her families. All hell breaks loose from that point, and the other girl, poor and deaf, is found and adored (well, the actress IS adorable!) and that little family (the father left when she was 3 because he did not believe she was his daughter, but that his wife had cheated on him) moves in over the rich families garages. There are a number of deaf characters, as the poor girl goes to a school for the deaf. Marlee Matlin, the Academy Award winner, and Lea Thompson are quite outstanding. Well, everyone is great, actually; but the writers are running out of steam now. However, I adored the first couple of seasons, and you might well also. A lot of love shown and very little violence, sex or cursing. I hate those 3 things, but one just cannot completely get away from them these days.
-
MARYPAGE, the mandate I used with my kids was "rude, crude, and socially unacceptable".
They were amused, but accepted it as a good guideline.
;D I talk to myself, too, GINNY, mostly because that is the only voice I can still 'hear'.
But I wouldn't call that last post four paragraphs. It's more like four brief statements,
all intelligent, good-humored and 'succinct'.
We all have our own style, just as we each have our own personality. Viva!
-
:) Babi, you're a bright light with always something worth reading to say.
-
There was another "Switched at Birth" several years ago -- I don't know if it's a true story or not, but two girls, switched at a very small hospital. Then one of the children had a heart condition, and like the current show, the mixup was discovered through the blood tests done prior to her surgery. And I think the mother of one of the girls had died, and she and her father wanted to stay together. Does anyone remember that show?
-
That was not a show. That was a true life documentary. That really happened.
This is a television series. Totally fiction, but quite superior to most TV.
-
Good grief you can't trust anyone - I guess the thing to do is before the baby leaves the room take the footprint and then retake it as you leave the hospital. this kind of stuff really riles up my disgust and anger with those who we put so much faith in that will take care of us when we are the most vulnerable.
-
Oh, GINNY, I'm blushing! :-*
-
Babi, you always have wise things to say on books and life..
Switched at Birth. I do remember the true story.Was in all the papers and tv..
I may look at the other.. I order things on Netflix and maybe they have it.
-
Been years since I read any books by Barbara Taylor Bradford. Loved her first one " A Women of Substance" As I am from the same Area in UK as she was. She used all the true names of streets, busineses, Was very true to life back in the early 1900s.but then she started putting out to many. I think she now has over 28 books printed. Seems she wrote better before she came to the USA. Got rich.
-
Iread a Woman of Substance and maybe two others by Bradford. But she got very predictable.. On the other hand, I loved Maeve Binchy,but she was not that original, but somehow made you care about her characters. She loved to use the same people , sometimes as the focus, sometimes as simply another person in the book.. That was fun.
-
I agree I liked reading books written by Maeve Binchy and the other I also like is Rosamunde Pilcher and another I am finding tells a good story is Patrick Taylor his Irish Doctor series.
-
I just picked up "Women of Substance" thinking would read again. However it is sort of worn out, Dirty looking. Surprises me for a library book. Had a lot of wear and tear. Wonder why they haven't replaced it.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
-
Jeanne Tight budgets is probably the culprit but at least you know it is well read and there are lots of folks who enjoyed the story and you are sharing in that experience.
-
They generally don't replace library books unless they are checked out a lot.. Since our Friends of Library has used book sales, we give our librarians first pick on new books as they come in... They take quite a few of them and it helps keep their buying down. They also take all of the DVD's we get and many of the cd's as well. Almost all of the childrens books.. Our childrens librarian uses them in many ways..We have a lot of people who seem to get every single best seller in hardback and then donate it to us when they finish reading.Always amazing the number of best sellers.
-
The only thing is, this one even has some of the pages Scotch taped. Has written on there. Torn and dirty. I have read the book years ago. This is more of a soft back were the other was hard back.
Think will just ask them to see if another one available.
they have a book sale about every 2 months and I know they would not even put this book in it. Could be a mistake it being still out there
-
Yes, the book sounds as if somehow it got left behind.. I am reading Dearie, The Julia Child biography.. and Heads in Bed ( I think Ginny had mentioned it. I am enjoying it up to a point). So no fiction, but may add in one, since Dearie is slow going. Good, but wordy.
-
In another book group they were describing some books they wanted to read. It occurred to me that there are some descriptions of books that make me yawn and turn me off instantly:
"charming book"
"lovely little book"
"coming of age story"
Do you have descriptions that turn you off?
Marj
-
'coming of age story' is a turn-off for me as well. I really don't want to read about teenage
angst anymore. "Steamy" is another cue to me for 'forget it'. And any topic about which
I have already seen dozens of books and/or films, and am sincerely tired of it. Or, of
course, any subject in which I have absolutely no interest.
-
Oh me, yesterday I picked up another Stewart O'Nan.. Snow Angels.. Spent the day off and on reading it. Not a long book..But a good one. So different, but then he is one of those authors, who does not revisit, but goes ahead. I liked it, even though I got the cold shudders at the end.. Understood it, but lamented. Still I liked it. He is one of those authors , that I am searching for every book he has ever written..
-
Re: our discussion about "free will", the sample audio book today from LearnoutLoud is "Willpower:our greatest strength" These authors say we have strong will to do as we do, apparently......
http://www.learnoutloud.com/Audio-Books/Self-Development/Goals/Willpower/45294?utm_source=FROTD&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Free%2BResource%20of%20the%20Day
The free audio book today is "Iron Will" from the early 20th century, i believe.
http://www.learnoutloud.com/Free-Audio-Video/Business/Strategy/Iron-Will/37599?utm_source=FROTD&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Free%2BResource%20of%20the%20Day
Jean
-
Descriptions that turn me off...."coming of age," "steam of consciousness," "shows / describes the human condition." As Babi said, I taught in a high school for 30+ years...I've had all the teenage angst I can stomach up close and personal; I don't care to read the meanderings of someone's warped mind, or read about what I see on the tv news nightly or read in a newspaper.
I'm too old to waste my time being depressed by what, for me, should be pure enjoyment and entertainment. ::)
-
Started reading"Free Will" last night as it is a small book. Lost interest real quick. Sort of like Jane. I skip a lot of what is in the paper anymore. Don't listen to most of the News, its depressing. (That is all they seem to want to report on.). Tired of hearing about and them showing Starving people. MOst women pregnant and have lots of children hanging on them
I still believe if in all countries birth control would be one of the first things taught along with the 3 Rs then lots of the problems could be taken care of. I never see them asking for donations in order to supply or teach that. Someone now asking so can buy Uniforms and open schools for children in Africa.
-
stream of consciousnesss.. Not that is a turnoff for me.. It tends to be disjointed, undisciplined and not my cup of tea. I have picked a few charities.. Second Harvest Food bank locally is a good one. They buy food in bulk and then distribute it to others,, small payments.. I think my money goes further than the smaller individual charities that cook and serve food. Then I give to a Corgi Aid, that helps homeless corgi and corgi types get well enough to be adopted. I also volunteer a the library,, the Sunshine Corgi Rescue and last year, I started making loans to Kiva, which is interesting..
-
Hear, Hear!, JANE. I'm with you on that 100%.
I agree, JEANNE. Unfortunately, external birth controls are generally out of the
reach of the poor, while timely abstinence is not popular with the men...to say
the least.
-
Steph, what is "Kiva"? We support three local charities - the local food bank, Chattanooga Room in the Inn (women's shelter), and the Community Kitchen (local support and shelter for the homeless).
-
:D :D Jane as a former high school teacher also, i agree!!!
-
Jane--former high school teacher? No wonder you're so patient with me when I goof up. :)
-
;)
-
Kiva is interesting. An old friend has been doing it for some years. Google it.. It is small loans to people all over the world to start up small industry of various types. 25.00 is the minimum. Then they pay you back and you can reloan the money over and over.. You can be very specific about what you want to loan the money for..They send you updates as you get paid back.. A good many of them need a lot of small loans to start. My Kiva loan is a woman in Mongolia in a small town. She wanted to start a store selling clothing.. She has paid me two small amounts thus far.. I really like helping people start small at home type businesses.
-
I've heard of such projects, STEPH, and think it is a great idea. Helping people become
independent and self-supporting is a major step forward. And as a former businesswoman
yourself, this idea would be especially appealing to you.
Another outreach similar to it, which I have donated to whenevery I could, is sending
people in poverty areas such things as seeds, animals, and building water wells. With
such resources, they can feed and support themselves. These are the kind of goals that
seem to me to be the first step forward. Once they are not starving, the second priority
imo would be education.
-
I love that kind of ideas, too, Steph and Babi.
-
Steph: I'm very interested in those loans. I started to give one through a website that I got from "Half the Sky." But they asked for my computer password, and I didn't want to give it, so backed out. Did you have any trouble?
-
I'm starting "Shaman" the second in the Cole trilogy by Noah Gordon. The first 50 pages have been good.
Jean
-
Try the Kiva website. I have a friend who has been doing this for some years and has had no problems. but no one asked for my password, so I would be careful about that for sure.
I loved looking at all of the people who were looking for small amounts. They put your money together with other loaners to make up the amount.. Unless of course you want to finance the whole thing, which you can do as well.
Yes, I have done the seeds and animals.. I like Samaratans Purse
-
WorldVision.org is another good one.
-
I generally buy something like chickens in the name of my grandchildren.. My grandson loves the idea and wanted to name the chickens.. but I told him, they would belong to another little boy and that seemed to make him content.
-
We once bought an Oxfam goat in the name of my husband's extremely wealthy and spoilt nephews. The youngest - and most spoilt - one didn't get it at all (even though he was at school by then, not a baby) and kept demanding "But where's MY goat?" (My sister-in-law actually told us once, with pride, that these boys 'count their presents and know who hasn't sent one.')
I wanted my husband to order them an Oxfam chemical toilet the following year, but he chickened out ;D
-
Rosemarykaye - :D :D :D Well done!
-
:D I'm with you, ROSEMARY! It's a shame, though, to see kids spoiled like that, especially
when it's pretty clear the parent(s) are at fault, and haven't a clue. I wonder how their
mother would react if you were so obliging as to give her son a goat? ::)
-
Good for you, Rosemarykaye.
-
Translate please: Oxfam?
-
http://www.oxfam.org/
-
Sorry - Oxfam is a charity that works in the third world. It's very well known here, and it was originally founded in Oxford in response to a threatened famine in Greece in the 1940s. These days it works internationally and has charity shops in most high streets. It also has a huge mail order business and you can buy 'gifts' like goats, etc whereby the goat goes to people who need one, and the person here gets a card saying that you've done that in place of giving them a present. I once bought a cataract operation for a third world person and gave the card to my mother, who had just had hers done courtesy of the National Health Service. She thought it was a great idea.
Rosemary
-
Oxfam. One of the first places I go to when in UK. Great one in the Village were my family live. Lots of wealthy people in the area and so can find good things. Last there I picked up Old beer Steins that my grandson collects. For myself a Silver tea service set. Had wanted one for ages. Just like the ones used in the big Hotels. Like new. My daughter was with me this time and thought it was a new clothing store. The clothing all hanging like it is one. In fact I have decided that next trip I am not going to bother with big luggage. Just a few thing and then hit the Oxfam for what I need. On leaving will just wash and give them back to the store.
The part I hate now on traveling is the baggage problem. Cost way to much in the US. Spent about 70 each way last flight I took. If want that on Intl. I can buy at Oxfam for less. and not have to carry.
-
Sounds like agood idea if you know where stores are where you are going.Otherwise it wont work though. I have not been overseas in the last year, but last year, there was no extra charge on overseas flights as long as you were under the 50 pound limit.. I bought a new extra light suitcase and it worked fine.
-
A cataract operation! What a brilliant idea, ROSEMARY. I don't think I've ever run across that option. Of course there are many health clinics, etc. that one can donate to, but I love the idea of being able to give your mother such a thoughtful gift.
Another great idea, JEANNE. What an imaginative solution to the luggage problem. I no longer attempt to travel, but I've only seen one airline advertising that they still transport luggage the old way. I don't know what routes that particular airline uses, tho'. I know we can get it here, but I'm not sure whether they have overseas flights.
-
As I always use my Family as a Home Base when in the UK. another way of doing luggage now is that one can mail it from here to the address you are going. What is the Big company. I usually use United Parcel here on my packages. I do believe that they do it also.
I didn't realize that until I saw a young man in there sending his suitcase by them into Europe.
Now I hear that lots of people doing it just traveling in the States. That is were the price of checking luggage is the Highest.
Airlines now making more profit on that than on the Airline tickets.
-
We fly Southwest whenever we can - no charge for one bag, if it's under the weight limit.
-
The few times I used Southwest, I ended up in a middle seat, since you could not at that point reserve a specific seat.. So I don't use them any more.
I am plugging along with Dearie.. The author is one of those.. every breath they take sort of authors, so I skim along, especially with parts that I have read about elsewhere. Still I like it.
-
Steph, you still can't reserve a specific seat, but when you check in online 24 hours ahead of your flight, you get a boarding number, and you choose your seat when you get on the plane. We usually manage to get in the first group to board, and almost always get aisle seats. As with most things, it's what works for "you". ::)
-
Don't see any way of using Southwest Airlines from this area of Illinois.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Most of the time when using the plane, I am going overseas, so Southwest is not an option. Going north from here, I tend to take the train,, a favorite of mine.
-
I love train trips, too, Steph - haven't been on one in the US since I was a kid.
-
I can still get nostalgic when I remember the trains. I rarely see them, but the sound of
train whistle is one of the most nostalgia evoking sounds in the world.
-
I live in Florida, so it is easy to take the train almost everywhere.. I always use it when going north as long as the train goes there. Privacy comfort get a little compartment, take my ipad for books and also a small portable cd player to play books to listen to.. A lovely way to travel. Wish there were more choices in where to go on the trains. Europe and Canada are wonderful train places as well.
-
Wish there were more choices in where to go on the trains.
You and me both, Steph. I haven't been on a train since travelling in Switzerland almost 25 years ago, and I loved every minute of that. I'd love to take that train that goes West across Canada.
Pride and Prejudice is 200 years old. Here's what being said about it today.
Pride and Prejudice (http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/jan/26/pride-prejudice-200th-anniversary?CMP=twt_gu)
-
Be sure to pick one with good tracks. We took the City of New Orleans from Chicago to N.O. last April. Tracks got very bad about 100 miles south of Chicago, and were a mess from there on south to N.O. We never did get into the dining room...they wouldn't let us regular train passengers in until all the ones in the cabins were served, so some people stood for over 2 hours waiting to get in...and then got cold food. We went with the "snack bar" and then brought food back on the train with us from NO for the trip back to Chicago. The muffalettas from NO were much better than anything offered on the train, believe me. It sounds so romantic...in practice, not so much.
jane
-
"The author is one of those.. every breath they take sort of authors," I like that phrase. It describes perfectly the book I'm wading through at the minute.
-
What are you reading JoanK - with that statement you really have me curious - it is not a description I have heard and want to have an example.
-
Jane. The Train"City of NewOrleans" was a good train for Years. I used it from Champaign to City of NO. a few times and always to chicago . Was A mess last time I used it. The toilets were all broken. Had been all the way from N.O. so you can imagine what it was like. Then it was going to turn around In Chicago and head back down. I will take the Old Illini up to Chicago now. Also have another one started on the Route along with 3 new bus services .
-
Never been on that train.. I do long distance, so always have a cabin.. The north bound from Florida up are all fine.. Stewards are very very caring..Food excellent. Service good.. We did a Chicago to Seattle in 2009 and that was enormous fun.. The trans Canada is a magic ride. We did it years ago and loved it.. I want to go to Alaska and take the train to Denali.. Trying to figure if alone would be practical or not.
-
What a shame to hear that the City of New Orleans (train) and tracks have deteriorated so much. The song by that name is one of my favorites.
-
Joan...I'm also curious about the author you mention and what kind of book that is.
"every breath they take" ??
The Denali trip was delightful...we took it from Denali back to Anchorage. It was like a "blast from the past"...white tablecloths, etc. A very pleasant couple of hours and delicious desserts.
-
Pride and Prejudice is 200 years old. Here's what being said about it today.
Pride and Prejudice (http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/jan/26/pride-prejudice-200th-anniversary?CMP=twt_gu)
Pedln, thanks for a very interesting article, with all of the funny and insightful descriptions of characters by different authors.
-
Our local museum in Orlando is doing a glass show. Lots of Chihuli, but a lot of other glass artists I had never heard of.. Some are really spectacular. some a bit odd..to put it mildly. One person works with small pieces of glass on a wall , all lit and the glass is treated with a variety of minerals, etc, different colors, lines,, very very spectacular. Probably not a good choice for a house, but works well in a museum.. Spent the afternoon there yesterday and loved it. Once again, wished I was rich enough to own even a small Chihuli piece..They are up to 6500.00 now.
-
You should see the glass exhibit in our Aquarium - in conjunction with jellyfish. It's spectacular.
-
My Favourite Train was one that we took to Montreal, Canads from Chicago. We were sailing to UK out of Montreal. Cabin slept 4. a sleeper. Bathroom.
I would like to take the one Canadian train going from Toronto out to California and also one up into Alaska.
Love trains. Grew up using them in UK and Europe. Not crazy about one from Paris to South of France. Also a Sleeper but only thing was your people riding in the carriage will be sleeping in same room. 2 rows of seats make into 6 beds. I like the private room ones. One seat in the day and bed at night. Own Toilet. Traveling alone. Trains to me are the safest.
-
Jane ""every breath they take" isn't my phrase: who said it here. I've already forgotten what book I was reading, it was very forgetable.
-
As far as I know, there is no train from the US to Alaska.. Would be fun though.
-
Thanks, Joan...I just didn't understand what it meant...so was looking for clarification. I find that sometimes authors seem to get so...well..."full of themselves"...that they come across to me as egotistical bores. It was drilled into me in writing classes that the purpose of the written word was to communicate. Long rambling groups of words that aren't complete thoughts, that don't convey a message in a clear, concise way are not what I call good writing. My writing prof was big on knowing your audience and writing for that audience. If whatever we turned in wasn't clear and concise and appropriate for the group audience he'd targeted, the writing was returned as unacceptable.
jane
-
I would love to own a Chihuli piece, too!
And how I would love to see just one of his exhibits. I mean, I would love to see them all, but just one before I die would be loverly.
Granddaughter Kim in Oklahoma City sent me a wonderful all-color-photos book titled: CHIHULY 365 DAYS for Christmas. It is wonderful to look at and gasp and ooh and aah over. I am a died in the wool glass lover, and particularly colored glass. But what he does is just unimaginable and looks impossible. What is more, he has not actually blown since something like 1979. He thinks up the work and draws it and instructs his blowers and, LO! It is done!
Kim is lucky because Oklahoma City has one of the few permanent exhibits of his work world wide. There are lots of moving shows going on all over this planet at any one time, but only something like 8 permanent exhibits. Sigh!
-
MaryPage, we've traveled to several cities (Nashville, Knoxville, Atlanta) just to see Chihuly exhibits. They are fantastic. Click here (http://www.chihuly.com/current-and-upcoming.aspx) for a link to the exhibition schedule on his web site. There may be one coming close enough for you to see.
-
Steph.
No, you have to pick up a Canadian Line that goes out of West coast Canada. Most probably one going from East coast also. Ontario most probably.
Most of the US trains. Get you to Seattle and then a Bus takes you over the border. This bus in in the train ticket. Works sort of like the UK System. There you get a ticket which takes in Trains, buses and Ferries over to Continent all in one.
-
The Canadian Ferry system is great, too. And you're likely to see some great scenery. We won't now, but one trip we always thought would be a good one would be to take the ferry from Vancouver or Seattle as a foot passenger, getting off at various stops to stay for a day or two, then getting back on the ferry to go to the next stop that interests you. If you don't have a vehicle, it's much cheaper, and you could probably get a cabin for overnights.
-
I always wished I had taken the boat that goes along the coast of Newfoundland, stopping at all the little bay ports, some of them inaccessible (or they were then) by road. The departures used to be announced on the local radio station and the stops sounded magical (probably a lot more magical than they actually were...)
Farley Mowat's wife Claire wrote a book about it:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Outport-People-Claire-Mowat/dp/155263647X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1359488058&sr=1-1
I sent a copy to my mother-in-law when we still lived there. She said reading it made her realise why I was so miserable out there!
Rosemary
-
MaryZ, I did something similar, only in Alaska, with a group from church several years ago. We had flown into Sitka to do summer maintenance at Sheldon Jackson College (for 2 weeks) and then took the ferries to Wrangell, Petersburg, and Ketchican. One of the trips was an overnight. I was in a small cabin with upper and lower bunk beds, but we saw that many of the passengers just spread out sleeping bags in the main lounge of the ferry. Meals were available. And there were also lecturers and entertainers talking about things Alaskan. We were definitely "on foot," although I think our lodging host from Wrangell? Petersburg? drove us to the beach to see the petrographs.
-
I like that in the US if traveling by train that one can have 2 stop offs prior to the end of your trip.
Few years ago I used Lux Air going to Germany. Went from Chicago and it let us stop off in Iceland and then pick up the flight the next day. I wonder if they still do that. Airline travel not as good as it use to be.
I liked to take them from here to Europe like the one above. Stay in Luxembourg for a few days. go into Germany and pick up again to UK. All on same ticket.
-
ah yes, now I understand. I have taken trains from Chicago to Seattle, but knew it stopped there for the north.. I have taken trains from Vancouver, but never found anything about a train to the north.. only east bound . I always wanted to do the Alaskan ferries. They go to some neat places.. As I remember the petrographs were in Wrangell..
-
I'm still enjoying Shaman by Noah Gordon, although he's giving me the reality of the hatred against Native Americans and now the Know-Nothing Party who hated everybody - especially immigrants, Catholics, Blacks, Irish, Italians........gee, this sounds familiar!?!
Jean
-
I think the most overworked description of a book is "astonishing". How much can we be astonished?
A group of us tourists to the tiny island of Isla Mujeres in Mexico are supporting students by payin their college tuitions. The first graduate two years ago is now and elementary school teacher. The second year, an accountant. This June five students will graduate in various fields. These kids come from tiny tarpaper houses or makeshift dwellings. some with no electircity or funning water. They are exptremely motiated and it has been a pleasure to see them progress. My current student Gabriela, is studyin to be a pre-school tacher and dreams of havin her won nursery school someday. My daughter and her husband are sponsoring Miguel, an enineering student.
Now, I am oing back to Isla Mujeres next month for vacation. I need a beac book. I want to read Hilary Mantel's new book "bring Up the Bodies, but somehow, it doesn't soujnd very "beach fook"
And my daughter is urgin g me to read "Far From the Tree" about parnes coping with disbloed children. that sounds a little profounf for the beach too. Wish I hadn't read "uncommon Reader" and Bridget Jones's Diary"already. Anybody know any book like that in tone and sength?
-
bellemere I read a couple of books written by Mavis Cheek - light and yet with a concept to chew on
http://www.mavischeek.co.uk/
I read Patrick Parker's Progress and Pause Between Acts - I thought Pause... was more fun but both were enjoyable and I do want to read a couple more of her books.
Another that was interesting - not as fun but light compared to many The Tower, The Zoo, and the Tortoise lots of history is worked into the story about all those and every ghost that inhabited the Tower.
-
Bellemere - have you read "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day", "I Capture the Castle", "Summer's Lease" or "Miss Garnett's Angel"? I think all of those would be good for the beach - the first three are lighter than the last one.
Rosemary
-
Mabel. Sound familiar to me. Wonder why?????
-
Mavis Cheek books sound good but I don't find any in LP. Looks to be more in Paperback.
-
Summer's Lease sounds familiar. I thought it was a movie, but no, it was a Masterpiece Theater Mini Series back in 1989. I do not remember seeing it. I know I haven't read the book.
-
The book is by John Mortimer, who was a very good writer of easy to read - but satisfying - fiction.
-
Yes, I know. I have both book and DVDs of his Rumpole of the Bailey.
-
Summers's Lease. Good DVD. John Gielgud. Renting a house in Italy.
Think I may get it and watch again.
-
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a day was a popular movie a few years ago - here is a youtube excerpt
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBJfuVpH7h8
-
Yes, Miss Pettigrew was made into a film, but I didn't think it was nearly as good as the book (whereas I thought they did a pretty good job filming I Capture the Castle.)
Mortimer also wrote a good novel about the decline of British society - Paradise Postponed. Sounds heavy, but in his hands it isn't, it's a great read.
Miss Garnett's Angel is set in Venice; I loved it, but it is more serious than the other books I mentioned.
Rosemary
-
they did a movie on I Capture the Castle. I did love that book.. Had such an air about it. I will have to check Netflix.. Beach Books.. if you have not tried Maeve Binchy.. she would be good. A nice fat book about mostly very nice people..any of them, but Circle of Friends is particularly laid back.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
thanks for all the recommendations. got my list made out and just to balance all the wonderful Anglophile humor, I added David Sedaris: when YOu Are Engulfed in Flames. Will see what I can find in Nook downloads or large print paper \backs.
I have just been declared legally blind. Today, a social worker is coming to explain some of the things I am entitled to. Turning in myh driver's license after 62 years was really tough. Now I am Miss Daisy and Husband has to get a little black cap. I still have a great deal of useful vision, but my condition is a deteration of central vision due to macular degeneration. So reading, my second life, can get more difficule, and using a computer requires a magnifier, and even then, can be tough to read. Some twent-somethings have also decided that cream colored letters on a pale blue background are to be used for onscreen texts instead of strong contrast black on white. Grrrrrr!
I know my futre lies with audio books, so I am re-reading some of my wonderful books before that stage.: V.S. Naipaul, John Cheever, Alain deBotton, Alice McDermott, Frederic Morton, Rebecca West, and the wondeerful historian,
Barbara Tuchman. fon
t know how many I will et through.
This from William Wordsworth:
"What tho the radiance that was so bright
Be taken now forever from my sight,
Though nothing can recall the hour
Of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower,
We will not grieve but rather find
Strength in what remains behind."
Intimations on Immortality, Wordsworth
-
BELLE, I am so sorry to hear of the change you are facing. I have often thought that I was fortunate to have
lost my hearing rather than my sight, since so many things I love to do depend on sight. To me, your loss
seems the harder to bear. It is fortunate, tho', that there are now so many options to allow you to enjoy your
favorite books by simply listening. Thank goodness you will retain some 'useful vision'; while your husband is
driving 'Miss Daisy', you can still enjoy the scenery. :)
-
Bellemere, I'm sorry about your vision changes. Do you know that you can change the colors you see on your computer screen. I don't know what operating system you are using. Here is information about Windows XP at http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/access_cpanel_overview.mspx?mfr=true
High Contrast is designed for people who have vision impairment. High contrast color schemes can make the screen easier to view for some users by heightening screen contrast with alternative color combinations. Some of the schemes also change font sizes for easier reading.
There is information about changing the page and font colors for the Internet Explorer browser at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Internet-Explorer-9-accessibility-options
-
Just had viit from fery informatie social worker. She is setting up appointments with a a computer consultaning engineer to come to the house and gie my guidance about adaptin my present computer or purchasing a new one in the nest year or s. Also an rehab person to help "organize kitchen " " (hahaha) and help with cooking and household tips. I am eleigible for the loan of adigital and free audiobooks, from their catalog. Hope it's rt reading maine, special for low vision \I am still reading everything but very small print. and I love my Nook.
I also can have the local newspaper read to me every day if I want, over a special radio. So, I can't despair. I a I have Windows m
sure many of you have problems and are finding ways to deal with them. At least I am getting a lot of help.
I will try the sugested link. My operating system is Windows 7 with a magnifier and special adaptations, but not anything to improve contrast. Hopefully the computer engineer visiting next month will help.
eanwile I have a vacation to look forward to after just haveing my gall baladder removed , by a Robot yet
Call me the Bride of Frankenstein.
-
Bellemere, I'm so sorry about your vision problems, but love your great attitude. I, too, hate the new "style" of white/light letters on dark (or not dark enough) background. I just skip those things and go on to something else. I have found that if you highlight ("select") the passage you want to read, it'll change the colors to what will sometimes be easier to read. Or I can copy-and-paste it onto a notebook or word page, it'll show up in black-on-white and be easier to read. I know you'll find others ways to cope.
-
Bellemere, I am so sorry to hear that your vision has deteriorated so much. Your social worker will have some or all of these links for you to try, but here they are anyway.
Don't forget that you can, if you don't have already, get voice recognition software to use instead of typing in messages and documents.
Talking books:
http://www.afb.org/section.aspx?sectionid=42&topicid=182&documentid=2096
Library of Congress: I thought they had large print books, but I guess not - audio and braille.
http://www.loc.gov/nls/
Amazon to the rescue? Link to Large Print Store at top right of page.
http://www.amazon.com/Visually-Impaired-Books/b?ie=UTF8&node=14264821
Bookshare looks interesting but they require proof of disability and you may need special software (something that reads DAISY format) to view the books. Anyone familiar with this group?
https://www.bookshare.org/
I noticed that many state libraries have web pages to their visually impaired programs.
That should get you started.
-
Bellemere I am sorry - loss is hard but the loss of sight ouch - thank goodness there are services to make the transition easier and thank goodness you have a driver to make life less confining. I can see how the nook would be an asset with the large letters it allows - organizing a kitchen I would never have thought of but now it makes sense - praying this transition is a comfort and you continue to fill yourself with the books and travel that are important to you.
-
My husband recorded talking books in Florida,. so I know that you can request particular titles if you have interests that are specific. He recorded several cookbooks and at least two books on growing roses..
Splendor in the Grass. Does anyone else remember that movie.. Ah,, so romantic and tragic for us in the 50's.. I am sure the current crop of teens would laugh and laugh and laugh.
-
Belle, my deepest and sincere sympathy with your sight situation. I, too, have had my hearing go, but can still see. Not as I would wish to see, and yes, those tiny letters and/or white on pastels or black drive me right up the wall.
I have many friends and one relative with the macular degeneration. I am just so sorry.
And I applaud your list. I am still fervently of the belief Rebecca West's Grey Falcon and Black Lamb is the best book ever written about Yugoslavia and one of the best travel books EVER.
-
Bellemere, I'm so sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis, and can only wish for you that the progression will be very slow. As many have said, your attitude is wonderful, outstanding, and except for driving, I have no doubt that you will continue to do most of what you wish.
-
Steph, I loved Splendor in the Grass. Cried my eyes out...so romantic. No doubt I wouldn't have the same reaction today. Some things are better not being revisited. I also loved "Love Story".
Sally
-
BelleMere,, I am so very sorry.. Being a widow, the idea of not driving is terrifying. I do not like in a place where there is public transportation.. Would have to go to an assisted living center, since they are the only places I know that have their own little buses.. Some of them have independent living as well.
I loved a lot of movies I saw in my teens and 20's..Nowadays trying to stay away from violence is hard..I wondor what our grandchildren will be like with all the violent games and movies..
-
I liked Rebecca West very much, but I had never heard of "Grey Falcon and Black Lamb",
MARYPAGE. Thanks for mentioning it.
I hear you, STEPH. I am so fortunate that my younger daughter lives with me. Otherwise, I
would be in precisely that predicament now. Her own health isn't great, and the day may come when
I will find it necessary to swap my space and privacy for a narrow bed and half a room, shared with
a stranger. However, with any luck, I won't last that long. :)
-
I bought Rebecca West's (nonfiction) Black Lamb and Grey Falcon after reading Robert Kaplan's very interesting book about the Balkan region of Europe, BALKAN GHOSTS, which he recommended. However I've yet to read it as it's length is 1100+ pages. One of these days....
Marj
-
It is a very easy and interesting book to read, and does not seem nearly as long as it is. The history is mind-blowing. It was written pre World War Two, and will make you want to go on and read other books about what happened there during and after that war. I have probably given it as a gift a dozen or more times.
-
Rebecca West is an interesting author.. I read it many years ago, but her premise was sound.
Did I say I finished The Red Tent and my Learning Co. series is here. Not for the next two days, but hopefully by the end of the week, I can start it.
-
I was interested in reading the Rebecca West book and checked to see if my library had it.
(They didn't.) But after reading that it is 1100+ pages long, I think I'll let it slide.
The "Pillars of the Earth" that I'm reading now is quite long, but it's not a library book
and I'm taking my time, savoring it slowly. My only complaint...one of the characters is
so horrible he must be demented, and I'm surprised someone hasn't killed him already. I
would, and consider it the equivalent of shooting a rabid dog.
-
I really liked Pillars of the Earth. Wasn't that whole Hamleigh family the pitts? Have you seen the BBC TV mini-series of it, Babi? Very good. Matthew Macfadyen was wonderful as Prior Philip, as he was in the BBC mini-series of Little Dorrit where he played Arthur. I wasn't able to get thru Dickens' book of Little Dorrit, but loved the mini-series.
Marj
-
Thank so much for the support and sugestions.
I also have had Rebecca West's Black Lamb Grey Falcon on mhy to read list for a lon time, somewhat intimdated by its length. but I just finished Catherine the Great, almost that long. Maybe audeio boods will have it. My latest re-read in hardcover books from long ago is The Great Huner, by Cecil Woodham Smith, a heart wrenching account of the Famine Years in Ireland. Unbelievable portrayal of man's inhumanity to man, the more so because it is written in a scholarly manner, not sensationalism. When she describes a lineup of 26 ships in the St. Lawrence River , filled with starving plague ridden Irish emigres awaiting entrance to Canada, it made me shudder. Maybe one of the reasons I do not have a warm fuy feeling about the English aristocreacy. Queen Elizabeth's apoloy last year was long, long overdue. So you can uess I am enjoying the chauffeur on Downton Abby.
Now I am doubling up: an novel by a new young writer, (under 40) by Daniel Alarcon, on my Nook, and some of my Graham Green favoirites, The Power and the Glory and The Human FActor in print. I am going to load up my Nook for vacation with Far From theTree and one or two of the light works hou hafe all suggested.
I am so lookin forward to that Mexican sunshine!
-
I love my Florida sunshine, but disliked Mexico intensely.Wish I hadn't, but there it is, one of the very few countries that I will not go back.
I am getting there with Dearie.. The author is a nitpicker, but I do love Julia,and am now when she is coming into her own..
Busy week, but I read before bed.
-
Yes, I read The Great Hunger some years ago, and the one thing that stands out from the experience is that you will never, ever look at this world the same way again. Our awfuls are so much MORE awful than our imaginations can imagine.
-
Beyond belief, MARJ. Regan Hamleigh is as vicious as her son, and she has the brains he
doesn't. I haven't seen the mini-series, but it has CC, I will probably want to see it
after I've finished the book. But tell me....I hope the scenes of William Hamleigh's cruelties
are not graphically portrayed in the series? I really wouldn't want to see that.
-
I read Pillars of The Earth and then watched the mini-series with both horror and fascination. My horror was the usual disgust that they simply cannot make the movies follow the books. Once I got calmed down about that, with a "so what did I expect?" kind of attitude, I decided to enjoy the mini-series as a "sort of like the book" parallel story. That worked for me.
So then only last year I finally read World Without End, because I knew the mini-series was coming. Then, because I cannot access the channel that played the series without spending a lot of extra money, I waited and bought the series. Again, and this time I was ready for it, they have changed simply heaps and heaps from the book. Again, I enjoyed the mini-series as a different telling of the stories in the book.
In both cases, the books were far, far superior to the films.
-
In both cases, the books were far, far superior to the films. I agree, MaryPage.
-
I think what they probably say is "based on the book", rather than reproducing the book. In any case, I'm sure it was done with the author's okay.
-
Most authors don't care as long as someone throws money at them.. I could not get over how bad One for the Money was..Good book, but the lead was so wrong as to be hysterical.. Interview with a vampire was another one that ruined the book, but Tom Cruise and his ego think he can do anything. Bah.
-
I don't know how much, if any, control the author has once he/she has signed to allow the book to be a movie. It's sort of like authors who've sold all rights to a publisher...and the publisher can print/reprint (and often portray as a new work) when it's not...and the author has no say and no royalties.
I guess it all depends on what the contract spells out. Authors may be so thrilled a movie is being made they don't realize what they've signed away.
-
I thought the BBC mini-series of Little Dorrit was better than the book!
I don't mind if the movie of a book is not the same as the book. They are two different media and I don't expect them to be identical, as long as they are both good. I'm always interested in how the director interprets the book.
MaryPage, don't you belong to Netflix? They have just about every TV mini-series, so you wouldn't have to buy the films. Only $8/month, as you probably know. I feel I get my money's worth way over what I pay for the service.
Marj
-
No, I have no desire whatsoever to belong to Netflex. I want complete control over what I want to see and when I want to see it. And owning the DVDs means I can watch again and again and entertain visiting friends and relatives with them and loan them out to family and so on and on. Each of us to our own thing.
An author can refuse to sell their book or books for filming without retaining right of approval over the script. J.K. Rowling had the right to stop anything they tried to do with the Harry Potter movies, and that is why they were so very close to the books. Follett made it obvious in his remarks in the "special features" section of the DVDs of his books that he did NOT retain control.
I rather expect you must get less money up front if you have a say in what is done. But then again, if you get a percentage of the income from the films, it should be a LOT bigger if your fan base is happy with the results than it would be if they are disappointed.
-
I am reading a little change from Mystery or Murder at the moment. Weather cold so need cheering up.
Quite enjoying Marcia Willett's "A week in Winter".Pretty old. 2002 but a good Read in Bed book.
-
I think JK Rowling is definitely not as money-mad as some successful authors. Of course she has made millions, so is hardly having to worry about the grocery bills, but she has in fact dropped off the UK 'billionaires' list, as she has given so much to charity - I appreciate that that is easier to do when you have so much, but it's amazing how many v rich people seem to panic about preserving their assets to such an extent that this consumes their waking hours.
I had clients once who had made a killing selling the husband's company. He was very laid back about it, but the wife was completely paranoid, obsessed with the idea that everyone was trying to get their money, and even refused to pay the standard fee for the work I had done for them (as I was not a partner in the firm, it didn't make any financial difference to me, but it certainly coloured my view of her.) It was weird, because unlike JK Rowling she had not come from poverty at all, but she just seemed to spend all her time gloating over (his) money. I don't think she was very happy, didn't seem to have many friends.
Rosemary
-
Stephen King had enormous control over his books and still does.. Robert Parker also maintained a lot of say.. It all depends on what you want or are willing to do.. I fault Janet Evanovich for One for the Money..She thought it would be fun.. Katherine Hegl is simply not a good actress at all.
-
Maryz - i know you are watching the TU / LSU game, so am i. It made me wonder - did one of Pat Summit's assisstant coaches get her job?
-
You're right, Jean - we're right here. Pat's 20+ year assistant (and former player) Holly Warlick was named head coach. She was "acting head coach" last season. It was a good choice. Pat's still at all the games and most of the practices - with the title of "Head Coach Emeritus".
-
I wish I liked basketball. I did in high school and college, but on tv.. no.. and the few pro games I have been to were not my cup of tea. Lots of babies, rolling on the floor and acting out for the crowd.
-
Steph, I'm don't really watch the games on TV, either. Women's basketball is different from the men's - same rules, but a different attitude toward the game. It's not all about the power, etc. - more strategy and plays involved. This is the only sport I really pay any attention to.
-
Girl's basketball is a big thing in the midwest. When my parents moved to southern Iowa, which I hated, I went to a dinkey high school in my freshman year. I had to play basketball, not because I wanted to, but because they were so short-handed they needed every girl. I played one game in their tournament, not knowing the rules or even caring who won. Of course I was fouled out very soon. Have disliked the game ever since. Only time I've watched basketball is when the Harlem Globe Trotters were giving an exhibition. Happily, my parents sent me for the rest of my high school years to a big school in the county seat, where I made friends with non-basketball players.
Marj.
-
Marj, I had to laugh at your post. Our 6'4" grandson got his height very early. He went to a very small high school (70 in his graduating class), so he had to play basketball, too. He really didn't like it either - MUCH preferred soccer - and still does.
-
I like to watch "live" basketball, but don't seek to watch it on TV. When we moved to Puerto Rico back in the 70's it was fun to watch -- and the games were played outside. I don't know what they did when it rained.
Marj -- you were playing 6-player girls rules? These last posts sent me googling to see when Iowa and Oklahoma finally switched to 5 player -- not until the mid 1990's. Wow. Made it hard for girls there to get athletic scholarships out of state.
-
Rosemary. The Obsession over money has become a big thing now on both sides of the Atlantic. I have seen families fall apart when lots left or some in family and friendships begin to make lot of it.. That is why Embezzling has become a big thing now. People seem to think money helps with everything.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I must not have seen girls basketball in many many years, since the only game I remember would be the six player, very static game. Iknow that my Alma Mater, U. of Del.. has a star female who everyone is going to the games to watch.
Senior learn is being complicated today... Library wont let me reply.Will try again later.
-
The Harlem Globetrotters were amazing, weren't they, MARJ? I'm not a sports
fan, but I loved watching them doing their magic with that basketball. I played basketball
one year in high school. Had one proud moment when, blocked into a corner, I thought
"why not", spun around and made a basket from that back corner. YAY!
Money is a highly convenient thing, I must say. It can be a curse, tho', when
it destroys families and friendships. It occurs to me, tho', reading Jeanne's
post, that the access provided by computers must have a lot to do with the
rise in embezzling. Seems as tho' every advance has it's downside.
-
Babi, the Harlem Globetrotters are still going strong (different players, of course :D). They did a show here a couple of weeks ago.
-
I am still enjoying Shaman by Noah Gordon, altho slowly. He gives the reader so much to think about. He has addressed the Dred Scott case, harboring runaway slaves, the distress of Native Americans as they are harassed by Euro-Americans moving to the "frontier" - in this case Indiana/Illinois, teaching a deaf child on that frontier, and of course, medical practices - the protagonist is a doctor. The writing covers most of the current events in a superficial way, but just bringing them to the readers attention made me think more deeply about those events.
My constant philosophical question as i have read/studied history for 55+ years is "how is it possible for human beings to treat other human beings so horribly, painfully, uncaringly? " i understand the fear of the unknown and wanting to make everyone else think/believe the way i do in order to have control over my environment, but the extremes humanity has gone to, escape my understanding.
-
Ditto your second paragraph. Except change the 55 to 70+.
-
That does seem to be the 64 million dollar question doesn't it - the closest I came was because they can - but that does not explain the inner core that allows us as a people to treat others in ways we can not imagine - It defiantly has to be that you have no concept of the 'other' sharing a connection to God that is a shared Universal power regardless of how we choose to venerate our god or gods.
-
It seems to me that there must be people who are inhuman and amoral by their nature, their environment, their training, etc.
-
just questioning I wonder if immoral is learned though - when you think of the birth of a child - then there is so much studied now about the brain - and something about an inherited part of our brain from ancient man - is this all a mix up in the brain but how can some of the for want of a better word techniques of cruelty be thought of - Just simple who in the world ever thought up water boarding which is mild compared to some horrors. But still who and how do they think of these things.
-
Do you think that Human Being now treat other humans differently ?If one reads back far enough and them come forward. It doesn't seem to have changed much to me. Always been pretty awful. Just that the world population has gotten so high. Also we hear about thing going on all over the world more.
Now I think the things that have happened in the Last hundred years have really gone far. Cruelty lot worse. Greed much higher. We seem to be going backwards now.
-
I'm not sure, but I think if you read history, torture, cruelty, horrors of one kind or another have been with us forever. I went to see the movie Les Mis and had to leave the theatre twice. I cannot read or watch horror/cruelty. But, I know it's existed since probably the beginning of time.
jane
-
yes torture has always been horrific but how do they think of these things - I understand it is because someone want something from either the individual or the individual is in the way of what they want - which says it is all about power - the power to get what you want - OK so war is about power - for one group to get what they want regardless if it is to protect or justify a way of life it is still one wanting to get rid of the other's influence so they can continue perusing what they want. But when you hear and read about some of the Atrocities where does that come from.
I had no idea till fairly recently that drawn and quarted meant that you were tied to four horses and pulled apart in four directions - my god and then we hear about slow torture etc etc. where how do people come up with this stuff.
-
They are still stoning women, publicly, in the Middle East and Central Asia if they are simply ACCUSED of adultery.
In instances where a man is named as having committed adultery with her, nothing is done to him.
Bottom line, I think a lot of men get a deep thrill out of killing, and particularly a deep sexual thrill out of killing a woman. I am completely serious here, and not trying to be provocative. I totally believe that what I am saying is true.
And you know what, there is just not a whole lot we can do about it until people start talking about it publicly and doctors come forth and admit this is the way it is and a tremendous public SHAME for our species behaving in this animalistic way takes over. We must first SHAME those who indulge these feelings. Not the shame of holy men or women praying over them or with them, but a very public shame that says this is not acceptable behavior and our society will NOT condone it any longer.
From reading reviews, I get the impression there are a lot of books about the Viet Nam war and the war in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan that tell the ghastly truth about killing frenzies carried out by our servicemen in those wars. I do not choose to read these books, as they render me unable to sleep or having nightmares when I do. That is too much for this frail 83 year old body. But the reading is out there for those who remain unconvinced.
It is all so sad. So not what I want to believe of our species. Yet we each and all make a dreadful mistake if we refuse to believe the bad news and only cling to the hopes we carry. Unless we look full on at the Truth, we cannot solve our problems; not a single solitary one of them. Denial is the way we live.
-
I believe it is all about control. I was watching Call The Midwife last week, and one of the nuns had the line:
"where there is anger, there is fear"
I think many men are terrified of women, and many people are terrified of anything that is different. People are obsessed with control, but I'm afraid i do see it as mainly a male domain - from possession of the TV remote control, to the stoning of women, and other groups.
Rosemary
-
Oh Rosemary, that is such a true thing.. Anger and fear are tied so closely. Like Mary Page, I cannot do horror and pain any more. I am very very careful about movies and books now. I have read books on mental health that seem to believe that some people are born or develop a distance from humanity.They simply do not relate to anyone except themselves.. They actually like to inflict pain because it pleases them.. My only wonderment in this ... is ... are they human at all.. I don't believe in executions, but I do believe there are some people who need to be locked away. They cannot function without causing pain and death to others and should not be mixed I n with humanity. The original prisons were solitary confinement types and I suspect this is where a certain portion of humanity belongs.
-
I know the Globetrotters are still with us, MARY, but I'm just not as enthralled with them as
I was with the original group. How quickly we become accustomed to what was once an amazing
wonder.
Humanity does seem to have a way of 'dehumanizing' those who are different, don't they, JEAN?
It they can do that, then they have no need to be 'humane' towards them. They can do whatever
they please, whatever benefits them, without the guilt they should feel. Some people seem to
find it necessary so that they can feel superior in some way. It is horrible.
As JANE points out, cruelty and horrors have been with us forever, but I notice they tend to
emerge more clearly in times of war. Official permission to hate and hurt the enemy seems to
cause these twisted minds and souls to surface more openly.
-
Has anyone read Mariatu Kamara’s Bite of the Mango? I just heard of this book recently, about a young girl held by the “boy soldiers” of Sierra Leone. I don’t know if I can read it anymore than I can bring myself to read Ismael Beah’s A Long Way Gone. Yet my understanding is they are both books about young people overcoming cruelty and adversity in spite of tremendous odds in modern-day times.
-
Steph.
I have a different way of thinking. If someone take a person's life then theirs should also end. Specially now where so many children are being killed. Some by family members. Women's boy friends. etc. Why should the murderers sit in comfy prisons. Very few do any work. they are fed 3 meals a day. Read the other day that in our Prison here in town it is costing 58 dollars a day to keep them there.
This 17 year old who killed his grandparents and cousin. he got 25 years. Do the Math at $58 a day. And think of how many murderers on in our Prisons. Now if not 100% proven than hold off. But on 90% of the ones caught they are guilty.
Lots more are being done now. If they started putting them to death I don't think there would be as many. It isn't that they are Mentally off as People say. It is just that they are mean and will not ever change
If a dog attaches and bites it is destroyed right away.
When one reads about the Holocaust and how many died in that and then you read that less than a dozen where put to death for the crimes the did. Still amazes me.
Just the other day they found more bodies of young men in Chicago who had been murdered and buried by that one guy there. He got life and was quite content doing his Art work in Prison. But finely someone did kill him in there. He should have died long before that.
-
the only part that bothers me about that way of thinking is it makes us as a society no better than them - we kill what is inconvenient - I think we could save a lot of money if we could put a hold on the owners of prisons who spend their profit by wining and dining Congress to get more laws passed that will affect certain segments of society that do not have the money to properly defend themselves and therefore will fill their jails for a profit to them while we foot the bill.
I do not like the use of drugs any more than most but I do not like alcoholics driving and walking our streets either - however, our jails are filled with folks who use drugs with no plan to rehabilitate and as you say at $50+ dollars a day we could be building youth centers and better schools so they do not see a hopeless life filled with drugs. As to the dealers - jail time does not stop their operation - if they could make that kind of money working they would have an alternate career path.
Tackling both the profit center for prison owners, their influence with Congress and get the users out of jail would be a huge inroad to a better society - we can take care of the murderers later - there are so many other kinds of abusive behavior that even if convicted the abusers are back home in a few years - Most folks do not want to hear about either the victims unless it is over the top or give any understanding to victims taking care of themselves and fighting back - so it is a complicated circle.
-
I am opposed to killing. Period.
NO killing. It must be taught to be wrong. It must be universally perceived to be wrong.
Most of the brutality comes from people who have been raised with brutality and never learned anything else. It does not seem fair that a child be born into Life who will learn nothing but brutality and then practice it. And then have their life snuffed out because they did what they were taught.
Face it, with myself and the people I know, I have never been shot at, never known a murderer, never known a person who was murdered (excepting 3 small neighborhood children who were killed by a mother who suffered post partum depression and her husband and family did not pay attention. Her baby was 6 weeks old.) and never known of any type of crime. I worked with an embezzler once, but that was workplace, she was not a friend. Seriously, from birth to 83 years of age, I have never, ever been exposed to personal experience of criminals or crime. So would you not conclude culture and class have a lot of influence? How could you NOT conclude this?
I do not approve of the death penalty. I think it makes us as bad, if not worse, than the criminal. I believe in redemption and contrition. I do not believe in putting a monetary price on a person's life. If we, as a society, cannot learn to PREVENT terrible crimes as a community effort, than we must share the cost of closing ourselves off from the criminal; of shunning the criminal from proper society. But to kill, that makes us barbarians.
I will grant that we must defend ourselves when attacked, as was the case in World War II. IMO, there has been no justifiable war fought by the U.S. since World War II with the single exception of the Bosnian War, where, I believe, we were part of the United Nations Task Force.
-
yes Mary Page, I am opposed to any and all killing and any and all war.. But that doesn't stop it.. Actually we were once friends with a seemingly nice couple with four daughters ( young). They moved away and so did we, but a few years later, she found us in Florida.She had all four daughters in tow and was fleeing. She found out from some nasty pictures of one of her daughters, that her husband took horrid pictures of them and posted them in magazines that dealt in that and when she questioned her children, she found two of the girls had been molested.She went toi the police ( this was mid 70's) and they did not believe her, so she ran.. I know where she lives and under what name, but she has never ever wanted to be found.. She only stayed with us a few days and went on.. I also knew two suicides.. All of these people looked absolutely normal.. So sometimes you know horror and do not realize it.
I stopped with Taft, the Patchett. An early book, stream of consciousness and I just could not get interested.
-
I'd not heard of either of those books, Pedln, altho' neither are new. Both get good reviews at Amazon. I've put A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah on my TBR list.
Marj
-
I can sympathize with your anger, JEANNE, though I don't really think our prisons
could be considered 'comfy'. It is my understanding, though, that it was shown,
statistically, that the death penalty did not curb the crime of murder at all. You
would think it would, but apparently not.
I don't know what the answer is, except that I feel if we could get to the root
causes of whatever turns people into murderers, we might be more sucessful intervening
at that level.
-
It's been found to cost more to execute a prisoner than to do a life sentence.
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/costs-death-penalty
Financial Facts About the Death Penalty
California
Assessment of Costs by Judge Arthur Alarcon and Prof. Paula Mitchell (2011, updated 2012)
The authors concluded that the cost of the death penalty in California has totaled over $4 billion since 1978:
$1.94 billion--Pre-Trial and Trial Costs
$925 million--Automatic Appeals and State Habeas Corpus Petitions
$775 million--Federal Habeas Corpus Appeals
$1 billion--Costs of Incarceration
The authors calculated that, if the Governor commuted the sentences of those remaining on death row to life without parole, it would result in an immediate savings of $170 million per year, with a savings of $5 billion over the next 20 years.
Lots more info at that link for other states.
-
I still have a hard time with the American system. They know the person did the murder for sure. Some caught in the act and yet, they take years before that person is put to death if that sentence has been given. Texas will still put more than any other State.
Most states don't have the Death Penalty. Yet even in Texas I have seen over 5 years go by before it is carried out.
Why is all this money spent on Trials over and over when the fact of guilt are pr oven. Parents waiting when their child has been Raped and murdered. That's cruel.
Maybe I grew up in UK when hanging was still being done. Fact the Hangman for England lived in my town. Owned a pub. His Grandfather , Father had the position before him. I remember my Grandmother talking about how the town people could still watch the Public hangings That was in the Late 1920s. You had a trial, found guilty and hung within a week. Rape also came under this rule.
Last I heard him do was to 2 US black service men in Early 40s for Rape of a Local girl. Also he was the Hangman that went to Germany to handle the Hanging of the Nazi's who were found guilty. This in 1946/7
No longer hanging in UK. But still nowhere near the murder done there like here in US where there seems to be getting more and more.
Over 600 killing in Chicago this past year. 9 this past weekend. I don't say all those put to death because drugs are the main thing. (But not all). The man who won the lottery for instance that they just found out was poisoned). That was greed.
They are still searching for this Ex Police that has already killed 3.. He is not insane. Just mad because he lost his Job. Doubt they get him alive but if they do it will take years and lots of money spent trying him. Why! he admits he did it and says he will get more. I do notice that now they are making it that when cornered these people are killing themselves. Good. Saves the State money.
Most people would not be against Capital punishment in this country if legalized again. Young men are given a gun in the Military. Sent out with orders to kill the enemy on sight. They do it. Don't even know who that person is. Just get the 1st shot in. Proven having done the murder and Capital punishment would not bother them also. Can't be soft hearted in one way and hard in another.
Been a long time since America has ever seen war in this country eye to eye. Most other countries have. Seeing people killed in front of you makes one not quite so soft thinking. Look in the eyes of parents,families who have lost to murder make them less sympathetic.
My Opinion only. We are allowed remember.
-
Not on topic, but just read that Pope Benedict is retiring. Last time I saw him on TV (I guess at Christmas) I noticed how very infirm he looked,and was very worried. A pope has not retired since Pope Gregory in 1400+ something.
-
Yep, Gregory in the fifteenth century and Celestine before that in the 13th century and then one of his namesakes, a Benedict in the eleventh century sold his papacy to his godfather, then he change his mind and tried to get it back - he ended up being excommunicated. Then there were a few who the kings disposed of - fun and games at the Vatican.
I still think this is politics - they had him on such a tight string - one of his early statements about the sex abuse did not go down well - within days it was scrubbed from every news outlet and from then on everything written that left his apartment had to be reviewed by the Sec. of State who later appointed 6 others from the Curia so that he would be covered at all times - I still think the deal with the Butler was a set up - he never looked perturbed - I think it was a way for him to get stuff out and the Butler took the fall - if you notice just over a year later the Pope got him out of jail.
My feeling is he was not going to get the Curia to reform itself which is what Pope Paul said would happen when he took that off the table during Vatican II and without reform there is no appropriate action in keeping with the twenty first century much less twentieth century science - Getting old, why should he keep the status quo as he lives out his years. We shall see if there are enough liberal Cardinals to outvote the conservative Cardinals serving in the Curia.
-
The curia is a closed system.. not going to change..
Almost finished Dearie.. The authors are the kind that tell you everytime someone breathed hard. So I know a lot of things about Julia that are unnecessary, but a lot of it has been fun.
-
For the fans of all things nautical, here is a nautical adventure I just downloaded to add to my pile of reading. Looks interesting. http://manybooks.net/titles/collingwoodh2106721067.html
-
Now that is truly startling, JANE. It had never occurred to me that the long process
of appeal would be a part of the costs of the death penalty. I really don't think that
the pre-trial and trial costs should be included though, since those would a part of
any criminal charges, irrespective of outcome.
It does seem to drag out, JEANNE. Nevertheless, mistakes have been made, as we all
know. Better to give them every possible chance to exonerate themselves, than to execute
the innocent.
BARB, who are these 'they' that have the Pope on a 'tight string'. The Pope can be
advised, but he can't be commanded. Where did you find the information that everything
leaving the Pope's apartment had to be reviewed, and I suppose okayed, but someone else?
You may be right; I just like to know the source of these claims.
-
Everything I have seen in these last few days tells me this pope has congestive heart failure, and of course he must resign. No choice there. He has a hard time breathing and is probably on oxygen when not in public. He cannot walk more than a couple of feet at a time, and, if I have guessed right, soon will not be able to walk at all. He would also, with this diagnosis, have a lot of anxiety, for the condition just worsens. I am not a doctor, but have seen a lot of this in my 83 years, and I feel strongly I am most likely guessing correctly.
By Max Fisher , Updated: February 11, 2013
In the past 1000 years, only four other popes have resigned. Here are their unusual stories, which are also an indication of just how much the church has changed.
Pope Benedict IX, in 1045: At age 33 and about 10 years into his tumultuous term, the Rome-born pope resigned so that he could get married – and to collect some cash from his godfather, also Roman, who paid Benedict IX to step down so that he might replace him, according to British historian Reginald L. Poole’s definitive and much-cited history of the 11th century.
Pope Gregory VI, in 1046: The same man who had bribed and replaced his godson ended up leaving the office himself only a year later, according to Poole’s account. The trouble began when Benedict IX failed to secure the bride he’d resigned for, leading him to change his mind and return to the Vatican. Both popes remained in the city, both claiming to rule the Catholic church, for several months. That fall, the increasingly despondent clergy called on the German Emperor Henry III, of the Holy Roman Empire, to invade Rome and remove them both. When Henry III arrived, he treated Gregory VI as the rightful pope but urged him to stand before a council of fellow church leaders. The bishops urged Gregory VI to resign for bribing his way into office. Though the fresh new pope argued that he had done nothing wrong in buying the papacy, he stepped down anyway.
Pope Celestine V, in 1294: After only five months in office, the somber Sicilian pope formally decreed that popes now had the right to resign, which he immediately used. according to a report in the Guardian. He wrote, referring to himself in the third person, that he had resigned out of “the desire for humility, for a purer life, for a stainless conscience, the deficiencies of his own physical strength, his ignorance, the perverseness of the people, his longing for the tranquility of his former life.” He became a hermit, but two years later was dragged out of solitude by his successor, who locked him up in an Italian castle. Celestine died 10 months later.
Pope Gregory XII, in 1415: The elderly Venetian had held the office for 10 years, but he was not the only pope. For decades, the Western Schism had left Europe with two popes, one in Rome and one in the French city of Avignon, according to Britannica. The schism’s causes were political rather than theological: the pope had tremendous power over European politics, which had led its kings to become gradually more aggressive in manipulating the church’s leaders. Gregory XII resigned so that a special council in Constance, which is today a German city, could excommunicate the Avignon-based pope and start fresh with a new, single leader of the Catholic church.
Pope Benedict XVI, in 2013: Citing health reasons from old age, he announced today that he will step down on Feb. 28.
-
Babi both in the Catholic Reporter and a seminar that was available online from Boston a year or so ago. They being the more conservative members of the Curia who have the power to make things happen - there is the same battle between the conservatives and the liberals in Church politics as there is in our Congress. The US and Europe being more Liberal but the largest number of Catholics are now in Africa and South America where conservative views abound.
I was pleased during last nights PBS News that Monsignor Hilgartner reminded everyone that the pope gets involved politically because the pope is a world leader, because the Vatican is a country. And so looking at this as a political move is appropriate - the talk among some of us here is since he has appointed more than half the cardinals that will be voting was he able to switch the center of power away from the heavy Italian centered Curia where most of the cardinals with power are Italian.
-
This Pope has never interested me except for two facts,, one he was in the Nazi Youth ( I know.. lots of excuses, he still was) and two, he has been involved in protecting priests who were child molesters. Both things put me off being impressed by him.
-
(http://brittarnhildshouseinthewoods.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341bf74c53ef017d410407c7970c-350wi)
-
The roses are lovely. I try hard to ignore Valentines day except for sending my grands a valentine.. With Tim gone, it is bittersweet..
-
JeanneP wrote: "Texas will still put more to death than any other State.
Yet even in Texas I have seen over 5 years go by before it is carried out."
Those idiots in Texas would put you to death for looking crosseyed at a Republican. I remember when working in Human Resources and interviewing a young man for a job, that he said he'd just got out of 10 years in prison in Texas for using marijuana.
I'd bet you'd like the U.S. system of appeals if one of your children were falsely accused of a crime. Look how many people have been released from prison recently when it was proven by DNA that they hadn't committed the crime for which they were accused.
Marj
-
I agree with you about the need for the system of appeals, MARJ, and for the same reason. Still, as a
native-born Texan, I must insist that we are not all idiots.
-
You are most definitely exempted from that group of Texas idiots, Babi! (LOL)
Marj
-
As another native born Texan, we are definitely not all idiots.
-
My daddy, a Virginian through and through, was born in San Antonio by virtue of his daddy being posted there as an army doctor at the time. My second husband, to whom I was married for 34 years before he died of colon cancer, was likewise born in San Antonio, though again it was an accident and he was raised in Big D. So I have a lot of Texas inlaw kin, all of whom, strike that, most of whom I adored (most are gone now). I also have some blood of my blood Texan kin. My paternal/grandmaternal great grandfather was General Luther R. Hare, a Texas hero. of whom was written the book A Texan With Custer. My political kin was a Hare from Sherman, Texas who was one of the first Congressmen from Texas. I count Texas as one of my own.
And hey, y'all, your politics down there at present are KRA - ZEE. Nuts. Someone is eating too many worms straight out of Tequila bottles. Or sumpen. I am delighted, however, with those Castro twins from San Antonio. Castro! Who knew! When the one who is a mayor grins, I go all glooey. As if he would notice this 83+ year old crone! I was a huge fan of Ann Richards and, it goes without saying, Molly Ivins. And I was all the way with LBJ, but I was upset by Viet Nam. I was also disappointed he chose not to run again.
So you present day Texans must see how conflicted I am. Son Chip, age almost 49, still holds the Cowboys number one in his heart, and ergo he hates the Redskins, one of our two local teams; the Ravens, whom he tolerates, being the other.
No, not ALL Texans are cuckoo. But ya just gotta admit, the ones who're running the circus these days are beyond redemption. Scheesch!
-
Oh there has always been a circus at the State Capitol and in a few County Courthouses as well - what would folks have to talk about if it was all nice and proper and fair. ;)
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
My Daughter married into a True Long time Texas Family. She has lived there so long she fits right in. Never argue with A Texas I found out. You can't win. They all seem to be really proud of State if born there. Don't get that in some States. Does seem to be a big Republican State.
-
When my great, great grandfather, Silas Hare, represented Texas in the 50rh and 51st Congress of the United States, it was a Democrat state. In fact, for most of my lifetime it has been a democrat state. It turned Republican after the Dixiecrats left the Democratic Party because Lydon Johnson and the Democrats went for the Civil Rights Laws. It has always seemed so weird to me that the Republican Party, the party, after all, of Abraham Lincoln, wound up being the one that represented racial hatred of the African American. That deep seated hatred is what makes them so full of bile for President Obama. Pity.
-
Molly Ivans... Ann Richards. Two heroines of mine.While putting away books for the book sale today, ran across "Shrub".. Mollys hysterical take on George Bush.. I just stood and laughed when I saw it.. Everyone just watched..Since I was in the room with way too many conservatives,, they were not amused, when I said why I was laughing. OH well.
-
I guess it took a Texan to the bone to skewer another Texan. Actually, come to think on it, W. is not near the Texan she was. He was born in Connecticut and raised in the NorthEastern U.S. She was born in California and raised in Texas. Totally.
I have half a shelf of Ivin books. She is pure tonic, she is! Was.
-
I liked the book "Molly Ivens Can't Say That, Can She?"....which, of course, she could - and did!
-
It has always seemed so weird to me that the Republican Party, the party, after all, of Abraham Lincoln, wound up being the one that represented racial hatred of the African American. That deep seated hatred is what makes them so full of bile for President Obama. Pity.
MaryPage, you are certainly entitled to your opinion but I must respectfully disagree with the way Republican Party is portrayed as racist. I certainly am not and don't support anyone who is (qualify that with that I know of). I did not vote for Obama because he is black, but because I didn't and don't think he is qualified (BTW, I wasn't fond of McCain either, but for other reasons). I would not hesitate to vote for anyone who is black and/or a woman, if I think he or she is qualified. If Hilary had won the convention, I would have voted for her. This is about as much as you will get out of me on this subject as I don't generally discuss my political opinions unless someone wants to bring up a book or such about the history of how the Republican Party came to acquire such a link and should it apply to today's party, the Political Talk discussion group may like to discuss it. I will say that the Republican Party are such weenies when it comes to defending/countering themselves when accosted with such accusations.
-
There are still a few liberals in Texas. Check out The Texas Observer (http://www.texasobserver.org/). This newspaper has been around for a long time. My 50+ year-old niece was named for the wife of one of the early editors.
-
I really cannot be proud of either of her major parties in the US and feel that the party system is now failing all of us. I would love to see Congress give up party designations and vote their consciences, but it is not going to happen. Easier to let your party leaders think for you, but sad..That is what is different about us and our ancestors..The founders of our country were original thinkers and would never have done this. Sad.
-
Steph, did I understand you to say that Quakers don't vote? I didn't know that.
-
I don't believe that the Amish Vote. I never see them mentioned in the election times. Use to be that the American Indians never got to vote either. Wonder if that is still the same.
I think it is past time for things to be being done for them. (All they do is give them a certain amount of money and nothing else.
As large as our Univ. of Ill. is I have only known as 2 Indians getting a grant to attend.
-
Technically, Native Americans received the right to vote in 1870 when the Fifteenth Amendment was passed, opening voting up to citizens regardless of "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." However, it wasn't until 1924, with the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act-in which Congress granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the United States-that Native Americans began exercising their right to vote. Even so, Native Americans participated at the polls on a very limited basis, since state law governed suffrage, and many states prohibited them from voting. In 1948, the Arizona Supreme Court struck down a provision of its state constitution that prohibited Indians from voting. Other states followed suit, and in 1962 New Mexico became the last state to fully enfranchise Native Americans. Like African Americans, Native Americans became the brunt of unfair voting mechanisms, such as poll taxes and literacy tests. With the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, Native American voting rights were strengthened.
-
For the ones living on the Reservations I can see them not even bothering about Politics. Things never change for them. I have seen it and feel it is awful they way they have been treated and still are. I think that the African Americans do much better.
-
No, I meant quakers do not vote on church affairs. Generally they are good citizens and participate in elections. They are keenly interested in public affairs.. I hate to admit it, but Richard Nixon came from quaker stock.. Even though he certainly did not act like a quaker, ever.
Interesting about native americans, I did not realize about the voting.. Their reservations are so different from each other. Our large one in Florida is run by a man who uses it to dodge alimony,child support and any other law he does not feel like doing. Terrible person..
Our west they are very different from each other. New Mexico , they were very personal places and I suspect that local politics does not interest them.. I was appalled by the reservation by Custers Battlefield.. Expensive gas..a restaurant that served food that they should have been ashamed of themselves. Noone to wait on anyone.. An rv park that had bad water, no sanitation and obeyed no laws.. We did not even check in, but left.. Horrible..
-
Members of the 39 Indian tribes that call Oklahoma home are active at ALL levels of civic and social actvities and should NOT be "painted with the same brush". Please don't stereotype.
-
I finished "Round Robin" by Jennifer Chiaverini, the second of the Elm Creek Quilters series. I think any quilter will enjoy this book.
There are many more comments about particular blocks/designs of patches in this book than the previous ones i've read in the series. I am not a quilter, but my mother was and i understand the descriptions, but readers not associated with quilting may get irritated with this. There are a lot of family relationship issues in the story which are interesting, but each chapter moves to another family, FIVE or more of them. It makes the story choppy, but i looked forward to their resolutions. Yes, the issues got resolved, but does EVERY family have estrangements? I think Chiaverini would have done better by delving into 3 or 4 issues instead of making every character's life a drama.) i will continue reading her.
-
My computer gave the ghost now I get to do new passwords, learn a new
system. complain complain, complain.
Have any of you read Roses? I did and loved it the second book is out now called Tumbleweeds and I can't put it down.
What are you reading today? I hope it is a New or Old Fiction book.
-
This isn't a fiction book, but our March book selection is The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe, in which the author talks about a number of books that he and his mother read together when she was enduring treatments for pancreatic cancer. This sounds downbeat, but it isn't, and the book has a lot to say about a lot of books, which should make for a lively discussion.
If you want to join, it starts here:
http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=3730.0 (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=3730.0)
-
Callie, I was not stereotyping, simply commenting on what I know in Florida and saw on our travels.. Some tribes are better than others on managing their lives and do enter politics, etc. Others not so.. and the Florida tribe is simply a group of Indians, that decided to become one tribe..
-
Mabel, (Jean), that's a good question you ask in your post on the quilting book: It makes the story choppy, but i looked forward to their resolutions. Yes, the issues got resolved, but does EVERY family have estrangements?
I wonder, too. I like talking about the IDEAS that you find in books. Some of them can be quite profound. I hit a veritable well of them in the Harold Fry book yesterday, that woman has a lot of profundity masked by the symbolic walk he's taking. I'm almost through with the book and even tho I've heard critisicm of the ending, she could have stopped it here and it would have been enough.
I wonder sometimes about what we demand IN a book, after we invest our time in it. I would say yes every family does have estrangements, there are plenty in Harold Fry, some of the everyday variety and some more serious. In fact it's a plot line in Harold Fry, and I really like the enlightenment everybody in the book is getting when they see old photos: maybe the way they thought WASN'T the right way. Particularly poignant as relations around an only son.
Does anybody know of any family anywhere without an estrangement somewhere along the line?
(However I have to say if I were reading a book which branched off without warning into 5 new characters a minute, I'd have to pause, I guess my short little attention span is not up to 5 new characters a page). :) Still chafing over the PBS in the US deliberately shortening the first season of Downton Abbey in the US. Short little attention span my foot. hahahaa
-
Jean, I enjoy those Jennifer Chiaverini books - I too am not a quilter but my mother is, and I have visited quilting exhibitions with her.
I think that,in the next of her books that I have, 'The Runaway Quilt', Chiaverini brings in stuff about the slaves in the South and the routes they had when escaping to the North - 'the Underground Railroad'; that looks interesting to me.
Rosemary
-
Ginny asks ---
but does EVERY family have estrangements?
They sure do in the book I intend to finish today -- found on my TBR list --
Maine by Courtney Sullivan -- a multi-generational saga of a dysfunctional family in which many of the members do not like each other.
I don't know how it got on my TBR list -- maybe someone here, maybe a review. I'm enjoying the book, but doubt everything will get resolved in the few pages I have left.
Then it's on to more of The Shoemaker's Wife for my f2f group.
And I'll ditto PatH about The End of Your Life Book Club. It outshines anything else I've read in a long time.
-
Rachel has a facebook page devoted to her book and she sent these questions to another reading group that discussed the book - very different discussion - one day but the folks are from Norway, Vienna, Scotland, Britain, California, Italy, Virginia, India, Illinois, and Texas - here are the questions she sent for us to consider with the link to her facebook page.
Harold’s journey is both physical and metaphorical. He is not the only character in the novel to go on a journey and Rachel Joyce has said that writing the book was in itself a journey. What other literary journeys does this novel call to mind?
Harold says he is not a religious man but his journey is called a pilgrimage and it is undoubtedly a leap of faith. How much and how consciously do you feel Rachel Joyce draws on Christian tenets and/or other belief systems in the novel?
Harold is a man with many flaws. Despite, or perhaps because of this, do you see him as an archetypal Englishman? Or is he an Everyman?
When we first meet Harold and Maureen, at the breakfast table, they seem in different worlds. To what extent did you see Maureen as the cause of Harold’s departure?
The mental health of several characters is called into question in the novel. Depression, Alzheimer’s and addiction are all diseases that touch many of us and yet mental illness remains to a great extent taboo in our society. How is Rachel Joyce using this? Do you find it effective?
Harold and Maureen are married but both are lonely. The couple Harold meets at Buckfast Abbey travel together but have also lost sight of what holds them together. What makes a marriage happy? How much is romantic happiness about being a pair and how much about other people and interests?
At the start of the book both Harold and Maureen have allowed friends to fall by the wayside. This story is about how we all connect with one another. What makes someone a true friend and how does Rachel Joyce represent friendship?
Regret is an emotion that plays a key part in the novel. Do you think Rachel Joyce sees it as a positive or negative force?
Is Harold’s relationship with David the inevitable result of Harold’s own upbringing?
Rachel Joyce writes beautifully about the English countryside – but how crucial to the telling of her story is the actual landscape she describes? How would it change the novel if it was set in Scotland, perhaps, or France, or...?
The sea provides bookends for the novel and plays a vivid part in Harold’s memories. Is this significant?
How does Rachel Joyce use food and the sharing of food in the novel?
How much are Harold’s responses to his fellow pilgrims dictated by his past?
Was the ending of the novel a shock or the inevitable conclusion?
Who saves who in this novel?
Has The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry inspired you to do something out of the ordinary – take a journey? Renew contact with someone? Look at strangers with a new perspective? Do share your response at: www.facebook.com/unlikelypilgrimageofharoldfry
-
I read Gone Girl and I forget if it ws Pedlin or Steph saying they did not enjoy the book. I plain just didn't like it. I don't see anything that would put it on the best sellers list.
-
"Gone Girl" was a total "thumbs down" for me. I not only didn't like it, I hated it, and am still scratching my head about why it is still on the NYT best seller list, I think #3. Those folks at NYT book reviewers are something else!
-
I am reading Gone Girl now and darned if I can figure the best sellers list either. Not a single redeeming character.. I am going to keep going, but just now I am not sure why.. Maybe that I really wonder if he ever tells the truth about anything and don't understand her at all..
-
hahahaa I loved it! Absolutely loved it and may read it again. Shows you how different we are. I thought the writing was wonderful, so clever.
Barbara, thank you for that list of questions to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, another controversial book. They are interesting. I read them before I finished it and to me they seem to do a "Harold" on what to me are the most important issues in the book. I find that interesting. Mental illness, Alzheimers? I'm not sure I read the same book. (However as we can see that often happens to me. hahahaaa)
It's no wonder our book clubs are so famous, we discuss the heart of the matter, and it's perfectly OK to have an opinion, good or bad.
-
Rosemary - "The Runaway Quilt" is a good read. "Round Robin" was my 8th book of hers even though it is the second in the series. Maybe JC wanted to give us the story of each of the characters early in the series, thus all the stories of each character's family.
-
I really liked Gone Girl. I marvelled at the imagination of the author in creating the female character who disappeared on her wedding anniversary, leading everyone to believe her husband had killed her. I liked the way it was told in alternating chapters, first by the husband narrating his story, and then by the wife (from her diary), giving you just a hint of what really happened -- and frantically turning pages to find out what's going to happen. Fascinating read. I'll read more of her books.
Marj
-
Maybe I just did not get into the book enough. It was just that I could not understand anyone walking to see a person who was dying. Not possible. One wants to get there fast. Bus,train, Maybe taking time and walking back would have made more sense to me. Could have done all his thinking about his life and where he wanted it to go after his friends passing.
-
That's actually a good point, Jeanne. And one he was asked. I would be interested to hear what those of you who finished it think?
But I think that he truly believed that she would stay alive till he got there. Give her something to live for. He felt he owed her. No matter how long it took. And in that, it's a gift from him. If the author had stopped with this premise she'd have written the inspirational book of the year. But she didn't.
And he has to do penance. For reasons not known in the beginning. So to me it's like those who climb the stairs of Scala Santa in Rome on their knees. Except he's not a religious man. So he's walking instead in a pilgrimage. That's one take on it. The book has a lot of surprises in it, not all of them pleasant.
Makes you think of Canterbury Tales a little bit, or it did me.
-
Now y'all have me really flummoxed!
I have had Gone Girl on my Wish List with Barnes & Noble, waiting for the paperback to come out this spring. With my badly knobbled hands full of arthritis, I find the hardbacks so difficult to hold to read, even though I prop them up on pillows. And I dare not put a hardback I am reading in my tote to take to medical appointments and other places I visit frequently; just too heavy to add to what I carry about in my handbag. So I find these days I always have the patience to wait for the paperback. And yes, for those who may ask, I find the paperback less weighty and easier to manipulate than my iPad or an electronic reader.
So it comes out in a couple of months. Should I buy it? Will I like it? Or will it be a complete bust for me?
Decisions! Decisions!
In the meantime, I have MORE than enough on hand to read. There are an overabundance of books in this house I want ever so much to read, and never will get to in this lifetime.
-
MaryPage, my vote would say, check it out at the library! I spent good money on it in hard cover, and was so disappointed! Read my previous comments. Some here said it was great, they loved it...I would use the supreme court wording, IMHO, "it has no redeeming social value"! But that's just me. How dare I go against the intellectually superior reviewers at NYT?
-
As an aside, I loaned the book to a dear friend who is one of the most discerning readers I have ever known. She said she reached page 21, and wished to throw the book against the wall. Had it been her personal copy, I'm sure she would have. When it comes back to me, I shall donate it to my Library Friend Book Sale.
-
Tomereader wrote (re Gone Girl) "IMHO, "it has no redeeming social value"!
I don't read mysteries for their "redeeming social value" (LOL). I do like them to be well written (and I think Gone Girl was), but I read them mostly for the plot, interesting characters (even if unlikable), and to find out who dunnit, as an easy read between more demanding fiction and nonfiction.
Marj
-
I agree, Marj.
I never argue with discerning readers, particularly those who want to throw a book against the wall by page 21. I can only think of one that I wanted to do that with (and did), but I finished it: The Liar's Club. And unlike Gone Girl it's not fiction, it's real. No I take that back, there were two. Mercifully I have forgotten the name of the second but not the subject.
It's amazing the buttons Gone Girl pushes. I thought, and still think, it was brilliant, I really do. :)
-
Iwould guess that brilliant writing is not that appealing to me any more.. I truly find as I age, I want at least one character, even a minor one that I can identify with.. Gone Girls has two perfectly terrible humans, who seem to delight in punishing each other. How sad..
I got it free as a volunteer at the book sale since I found it finding it first. I have promised to hand it on to the next volunteer who wants to read it.We had four others sign up, so we will pass it on to each one.
-
What DO you recommend, Steph? What's the best new book you've read this year?
-
Talk about different people Ginny and I totaly in disagrement hehehe
-
Light reading: Patricia Briggs #4 in Alpha and Omega series..."Fair Play"
Most compelling: current book.... The Household Guide to Dying by Debra Adelaide.
She is a household hints writer... and is dying of cancer, fairly young.. This is the fictional story of the journey.. I am savoring her descriptions.. and thoughts.. The grief and love and how she is trying to set out a path for her husband and two young daughters, which of course you cannot do.
-
mark
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Gone Girl sounds either like "The book you love to HATE" or the Book you love to LOVE. No in between. Judy, it wasn't me who said boo about it. The only thing I know is that it's been on just about every "Best" list for 2012 that's come out in print.
Tomereader, I checked out J Franzen's Freedom from the Library and loved the first section. But it was so heavy and hard to read in bed that I paid good money to download the Kindle version. And then I hated the rest of the book. Couldn't stand the characters. Not nice people. Son and DIL both liked the book.
Darned if I didn't get that timed out message again. But I foxed them, did a "copy" before posting.
-
Has anyone read any of Kent Haruf's books - Plainsong, Eventide? He's just come out with a new one after a decade since he last published. The new one is called Benediction - some of the characters appeared in the earlier two. I'm really interested to hear about those...
Also, we are looking for a good Fiction title for group discussion in April. Please stop in the Suggestion box (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=309.msg184856#new) with your ideas...
-
Pedlin, don't think I was the one mentioning J. Franzen's "Freedom" as I have never read one of his books. Must have been someone else here.
-
I have read one of Kent Haruf's books, it was the first one I believe.
-
Tomereader -- Re: Franzen -- I was actually responding to your comment about "check it out from the library" and "spending good money" for a book you found disappointing, because I had a similar experience.
In our upcoming March discussion book, The End of Your Life Book Club, Will Schwalbe and his mother share their thoughts on many books and it's very easy to get caught up in the appeal of them. Which is fine as long as one doesn't start buying them all . . . .
(Just got another timed out message)
-
Yesterday I could not get into senior learn until afternoon.. Just flat out insisted it was not there.
-
I also had problems with it yesterday Steph. Seems to be OK today.
Rosemary
-
"Darned if I didn't get that timed out message again. But I foxed them, did a "copy" before posting."
Me too Pedln. Technology is wonderful most if the time, very frustrating when not working like we expect.
-
There have been some problems with the server, which are going to be solved by an upgrade. Things should be fixed soon.
-
What did you think of Kent Haruf's Plainsong, Tomereader? I just read that if you liked Ivan Doig's books, you'll like Haruf. I did.
I think I'm going to pick up Plainsong at the library, and see what Haruf is all about before I even think about his new book just out.
His stories are set in the little town of Holt in Eastern Colorado - where he grew up. Last week I read a glowing review of his latest book, Benedictions. All of the reviews were big welcomes to his return after a 10 year hiatus. I was attracted to the titles of the two previous books...Plainsong and Eventide...which is why I asked if anyone read them. .Read more about Haruf's books here -
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/profiles/article/54801-a-lot-of-living-kent-haruf.html
He got my attention when he said -he "considers William Faulkner the author who perhaps has most influenced him, saying that he likes “to read some Faulkner, Hemingway, or Chekhov before sitting down to write anything.”
-
"he (Haruf) considers William Faulkner the author who perhaps has most influenced him, saying that he likes “to read some Faulkner, Hemingway, or Chekhov before sitting down to write anything.”
Maybe that's why I couldn't get interested in Haruf's Plainsong. I am not a fan of Faulkner or especially Hemingway. But hearing Haruf discussed here, I'm getting curious to read it. Think I'll nominate it for the SrLearn's April read.
Marj
-
"he (Haruf) considers William Faulkner the author who perhaps has most influenced him, saying that he likes “to read some Faulkner, Hemingway, or Chekhov before sitting down to write anything.”
Maybe that's why I couldn't get interested in Haruf's Plainsong. I am not a fan of Faulkner or especially Hemingway. But hearing Haruf discussed here, I'm getting curious to read it. Think I'll nominate it for the SrLearn's April read.
Marj
-
I have a horrid cold, so did not listen to my course yesterday. I get foggy when I am sick, so did not want to ruin my enjoyment of the course. Picked up a chic vampire story.. witches, vampires and fashion ( sigh), but I really don't have to think in this type of book..
I also have a Netflix of the Best Marigold Hotel to watch..
-
I'm not a fan of Hemingway, either, but the Haruf books do sound good. I'm
embarassed to admit that tho' I've seen many films from Faulkner plays, I've
never read them.
I really don't have to think in this type of book..
I know
what you mean, STEPH. Some books are perfect to just keep you entertained
until you get sleepy. :)
-
Two new books out which look really interesting, to me. The new issue of People Magazine has a perfectly wonderful article on Maeve Benchy's last book A Week in Winter which she finished just days before her death last July, was it? The description alone is perfectly marvelous. I have never read one of her books, and I think I'll start with that one, has anybody read it and does it live up to the praise?
Does anybody know how Maeve is pronounced? (Another one I never got straight is Ngaio Marsh). She was a New Zealander and I thought she wrote good mysteries. Have no idea how that name is pronounced, and I did not know how pretty she was.
The second new book out that looks good to me is Peter Mayle's The Marseilles Caper, which came out in 2012. I really enjoy Peter Mayle. He's light but he's smart and literate and enjoyable, he's got that sense of humor pervading his books. I liked his Chasing Cezanne so much; it was a departure for him from his Provence books.
Seeing it at the Barnes and Noble store here reminded me I've not read his A Vintage Caper, which apparently Marseille is a continuation of. It's about wine and the Bordeaux region, it's just fun and light and...enjoyable. I like the occasional light read about these people living these unbelievable lives of luxury and wealth and million dollar bottles of vinegar.
So far it's a delight. Of course it's got its share of negative reviews, sigh sigh, but then again, what doesn't, really? Somebody will always feel snarky about a particular book. Maybe it deserves them, who knows? I like finding out for myself. :)
-
I'm still enjoying Shaman by Noah Gordon, the second book in the Dr Robt J. Cole series.
It's historical fiction. The first book was set in the 12th century in Europe when the first Robert J. Cole became a physician. This one is in the U. S. where a descendent Dr R. J. Cole has fled the Scottish political scene and ends up in frontier Ohio. In my reading he has just left the Civil War, having been wounded. His son, Robert Jefferson Cole, (Shaman) became deaf as a result of a childhood fever but insists on studying medicine nonetheless. Gordon has done a good job of giving us the "underdog" story of the time - he talks of Native Americans, Robert J. has a minor role in the Underground r.r., is a pacifist and an atheist, he talks of the deaf son's difficulties, and he includes the Jewish community.
I recommend it to those who like historical fiction. It's taking me a while to read it since i always have 4 or 5 books on the nightstand, alternating them based on my mood and this is a long one.
-
Ngaio is pronounced "NayOh". I think Maeve would be Mayve.
-
And here I thought it was NUH - GUY - OH
AND MAY - FVFF
I do not know how to put my picture in my profile. Is there anyone in here who does know how who I could email my photo to and they could do it for me? Any volunteers?
marypage29@comcast.net
-
I just finished the latest Maeve Binchy A Week in Winter and enjoyed it very much. I have read all of her books and always liked her writing - very calm and restful. This one was like most of her books, a gathering of strangers who spend time together in in an Irish setting. We learn about their pasts, what brought them together, and the influence they may or may not have on each other.
Mary
-
If you're looking for something a bit different, you might want to read THE DINNER by Herman Koch (Dutch author). Wow! If you're looking for a nice pleasant read, forget it! Two brothers and their wives meet at a swank restaurant for dinner and to discuss what their teenage sons have done. I liked the author's wry sense of humor, but as the story continues it becomes not only suspenseful but rather strange as you learn what is going on in the mind of the narrating brother. Scary, the lengths to which some people will go to preserve their comfortable way of life. It certainly kept my attention to the end.
Marj
-
I'm having trouble posting.
-
There must be a glitch in the system again. I had lots of trouble logging on.
-
Now it seems to be all right again.
-
I have Maeve Binchy's A WEEK IN WINTER on hold at the library. It must be very popular, as I am still 7th on the list. I need something calm and restful after reading The Dinner.
Marj
-
I like Binchy ( except for the lake one) and will read this one at some point. My cold is still with me. bed by 8:30 pm and slept through until 5:45am.. That's after sleeping about half of yesterday. but that's my solution to being sick. Wake, walk and feed dogs, eat something and then back to sleep.
-
Always the best way with a cold, STEPH. The old 'tried and true' formula: Rest and drink plenty of liquids. Oh, and extra Vit. C, too. If you didn't need the sleep, you wouldn't be
able to.
-
Rest and feel better, Steph.
-
I do feel better, only slept half the day and did not go to bed until the normal time.. So the cold is lifting.. Need a hair cut.. I wish I liked hairdressers, but I hate the fussing with my hair. Just not my thing.. I loved pedicures,, but hate massages and dislike the fussing with my hair. Sort of weird, but there it is..
-
On Sunday my friend and I are going to Stobo Castle at Peebles, which is a spa. Never been before, had a gift token to cover (part of) the cost of 2 nights. We are both so looking forward to it - I'm sure some people go to these places all the time, but for us it's a real treat. Not getting hair done, Steph, but having a massage, facial and a hand treatment - will spend rest of the time in the pool or just lounging about with books.
Rosemary
-
I had a day at a local spa some years back. My favorite turned out to be the facial. It was sooooo relaxing and peaceful.
-
I like facials as well, I think it is the starkers under the sheet that throws me..Getting naked with a stranger is not a goal of mine.. Did get a good haircut from a walk in place.. I love it, but watch the girl will be gone when I try the place again.
My older son gave his wife and I a spa day right after Tim died. We were at a casino inBiloxi and the hotel has a wonderful spa.. Some really interesting stuff.. I did like that one..
-
I have a granddaughter, My Judith, who owns her own spa in St. Louis, Missouri. She is extremely successful and has just had her first baby, at age 37. A little boy born 12/12/12, and my 22nd great grandchild. Judith's spa is called the (j3) Studio.
http://www.j3-studio.com/
-
Currently booked through mid March; she's very successful.
-
Ginny, Maeve is pronounced MAVE, as in 'rave' or 'save'.
My husband wanted to call one of our daughters Grainne, which I believe is pronounced GRONYA. I said no, but there are some lovely Irish names.
Rosemary
-
Names are so strange in so many different ways.. Some names fit people and some are never too appropriate... I have a friend whose name is Tammy.. At 70, she says she wishes it were something else..
-
Thank you all for the pronunciation of the names Ngaio and Maeve, aren't they pretty. Love that Grainne story, Rosemary! Thank goodness we didn't go with my first choice for our oldest (and I'm sure he thanks us too): Alistair. I know it's a perfectly good name but in America I am pretty sure he'd be called Alice, and he'd have hated it. I liked it. And after all it would have had that alliterative effect. Of course, again that would have been AA not particularly good either.
Names are so interesting. My grandmother's name was Arsinoe, which is famous in antiquity but which she absolutely hated. Here it was pronounced ar SIGN a. She said she'd haunt me if I named another poor child that after her. hahahaa Happily I had boys, so that did not arise.
(That SPA trip looks to die for, Rosemary, what a place!!)
I'm still enjoying Pater Mayle's A Vintage Caper, they had something very like it on one of those home programs yesterday, Million Dollar Rooms or something like that, where these houses have their own real wine cellars. I think I'll get further in the mood and watch Sideways again with Paul Giamatti. (There's a movie people love or hate. :)
And speaking of Gone Girl, hahaha, (love or hate) we may have, on CNN's sister station HLN daily, a real life Gone Girl, currently in court in the Jodie Arias murder trial.
-
My dear mother-in-law's (born 1907) name was Oneta Mable. Oneta was the name of an Indian Princess in a popular novel around the turn of the 20th century. I've come across the name dating from that time period several times. She hated the name, and always went by "Nita". I used to tease her and threaten to name one of our girls after her. She'd always threaten to disinherit us if we did. All in fun, of course.
-
Two unusual female family names in my family have been Irone and Eula. I had aunts with those names, and they were both named for aunts of theirs. EYE-ROAN, not Irene. And YOU-LAH. I dislike both names, but dearly loved the aunts who had them.
-
My cousin's wife is named Eula - definitely unusual.
-
My family has Stephen Paine Hill Clute .. My Dad was 2, his grandfather was 1, my brother was 3 and his son is 4.. Whew..
Yes, The Arias case sounds a bit like Gone Girl.
Oh Babi, I will miss you so much.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Back from two weeks in Mexico, and Steph , we must see different Mexicos. Mine is the Yucatan, peaceful, warm , and friendly people. I know that is not the cast throughout this unfortunate country.
Read "Far From the Tree" by Solomon, a nonfiction work advocating for children that have some disability. Very scholarly and quite disturbing in some ways; i.ie, the number of autistic children murdered by their parents. Chilling. Also read a binchey, love her books, everthing settles down so nicely. Have also been looking at younger authors, under 40. enjoy Karen Russell, any of you in Florida would like Swamplandia. And Daniel alarcon, a little more difficult, , in Lost Radio City. Joshua Ferris, in then We Came to the End, and the sort stories of Tessa Hadley.
what in the world is this new march book, The End of the World Book Club? Conjures up a picture of a bunch of morbid old people discussing their own wnds. Will try to read an excerpt before joining in.
A good book on that subject was Julian Barnes, Nothing to be Afraid Of "
-
It's not like that at all, bellemere. As the author takes his mother to chemotherapy appointments, they use their time waiting around to form a two person book club, in part discussing the books they are reading or have read, in part using them as a tool to discuss their lives and feelings and family history. Since the family is bookish and well-read, and composed of interesting and accomplished people, this makes for a good read, and gives us a chance to talk both about the family and the many books mentioned.
In spite of the subject matter, I don't find the book gloomy or painful. Do join us, bellemere, we'd love to have you.
-
Just read Sophie Divry's "The Library of Unrequited Love" - it's a translation from the French, more of a short novella really, about a librarian in a provincial library. She's been there for a long time, and is full of resentments, obsessions, sadness - but her observations on life, and especially on the meaning of culture, are wonderful. Excellent translation by Sian Reynolds.
Anyone else read it?
http://www.quercusbooks.co.uk/book/The-Library-of-Unrequited-Love-by-Sophie-Divry-ISBN_9781780870526#.UTMgEFpNz_E
Rosemary
-
I never got to the Yucatan, but the tourist parts I got to, I disliked.. The casual cruelty in the cities amazed me.. The machine guns on the police men..just not a nice place for me. Different strokes.. as they say. I live in a peaceful comfortable place, so I would guess that when I travel, I prefer cities,, museums, etc. Never been a lounger around.. and don't sit by swimming pools, etc.
-
A friend just loaned me a Jennifer Chiaverini book, not a "quilt" book, titled Mary Lincoln's Dressmaker." Elizabeth Keckley was a real person, but, of course, this is fiction. EK bought her and her son's freedom from slavery and had become a dressmaker to many prominent women in Washington D. C. in 1860. Both of those actions tell us what an amazing woman she was. She was the designer and maker of dresses for Varina Davis, Jefferson Davis' wife before Mary Lincoln came to town. (I find it ironic that that the president of the seceding states was probably named for Thomas Jefferson.)
About 100 pages into the book, i find it is typical JC well-written prose. She uses many of the current events of the time in the story. EK's son was the son of a white man and is light enough in complexion to be able to pass as white and is therefore able to join the Union army. JC gives us a good accounting of the anxiety of any mother whose child is in combat.
At this point i would highly recommend it. Here is a Wikipedia article about EK and the Amazon page about the book.......
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Keckley
In following a link from the wiki article i see that EK's autobiography "Behind the Scenes", is available as an ebook for free from Goggle Books and from Amazon. Just scroll down the article to "references". Also, the second book on the "reference" list is available as an ebook for free, "Mrs Lincoln and Mrs Keckly".
http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Lincolns-Dressmaker-Jennifer-Chiaverini/dp/0525953612
-
Ordered "behind the Scenes" on kindle.
-
The Library of Unrequited Love does not seem to have been published in the US. Well----maybe. I found an Amazon page that has a look inside for the Kindle edition, BUT there is no way to order it and no information about if or when it will/was available. I started reading the look inside pages, though. I am not sure I can handle what appears to be a 96 page soliloquy.
In the exerpt she mentions Jean-Paul Satre's book Existentialism is Humanism. Never could get the hang of Existentialism. One of my professors in college was something of an Existentialist, so our reading included a book about it. I have Sartre's Being and Nothingness. I've had it for a long time. Never read it.
-
Mary Lincolns Dressmarker sounds interesting. Will try to look it up.. I have never quite understood Existentialism.. Not sure I care any more..I had a cousin who was truly into that sort of philosophy..
Central Florida still cold.. windy.. I dislike the cold wind and the dogs are genuinely upset.. They are so close to the ground, I expect it is truly uncomfortable for them.
-
Lookin back over the"manes " discussion, I thought of how many little Mayan Indiean irls I met in Mexico with names like Karen, Marilyn, Barbara, and Brittainy! And in a land of millions of Marias, the name Mary is becoming popular.
You can almost guess a woman's age by the name she was given at birth. Just before my 56 year old dauhter was born, there was a flock of Robins. And in her year, , loads of Lindas. The Jennifers came soon after and then a lot of K's: Kimberleys, Kellys, Karens. The old Mararets became "Megan" and there was a rash of Gaelic Caitlins, (the Irish pronunciation of Cathleen) along with her brothrs Sean and Brendan.Then a hue wave of Lisas, and Now come the law firms: Taylor, Madison, Courtney and Brooke. Those are the girls. The latest craze seems to be Sophia. Means wisdom. Maybe a good quality to hope for in a female.
-
Joan was very popular in my age group. I found out recently that Joan of Arc was canonized a few years before I was born, so she was in peoples mind.
FRY: I just don't GET existentialism, and I've tried.
-
Found the Book."Casual Vacancies" by J.K Rowling. Here first book for grownups I believe. Library just got it in.
If you use a library often check and see if they are now using this new Program Software. Called "Zinio" You can get in by registering with you Library card. and it has most of all the Magazines still being printed or just now on E-Record.
You can then read them on your regular computer like they do on the IPAD. Readers etc.
Pretty good one.
-
It is nice to see that ZInio is making magazines available online through the library
. I will be curious to see which publishers have signed on.
-
I grew up in the country in a very small town. As a Stephanie, I was the one and only for miles and miles. First other Stephanie I met as a freshman in college.There were two of us in the entire university and we lived in the same hall on the same floor.. Only she was Stefany.. and called Steffy.. A good friend of my family loved my name and named their daughter that..Now there are all sorts of Stephanies.. A young friend has a Sophia, but she is 17 , so she was ahead of the curve.. How about all the Ethans, Jasons, etc. Name are funny.. I have a Kaitlyn and Connor as grandchildren. Both pretty names and a brand new Great Niece, who is Anna Catherine..which I like.
-
(I find it ironic that that the president of the seceding states was probably named for Thomas Jefferson.)
Jean, that's an interesting point. I'd never caught that.
Steph, your grandniece and I share the same name, mine after my grandmother. Her last name was Jacobson, but she was listed in the family bible as Anna Catherine Stephansdaughter. Her youngest sibling was named Elvina, as she was the 11th child.
That grandmother picked names typical of the generation for her daughters, my mother Ruby and aunts Violet, Eleda, and Iva. You don't hear of many Rubys nowadays, but my youngest granddaughter is Ruby. I'm assuming she's the only one in her kindergarten class.
Bellemere, I was unaware that Megan came from the name Margaret. My BIL and SIL said that the priest questioned their choice of names when they christened their youngest child. "What kind of a name is that?" "On, she was a saint, Father, an Irish saint." They really didn't know whether Megan was a saint or not.
I've not read any Jennifer Chiaverini books, but have heard of Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker, and would like to read it.
-
One faction of our younger generation has gone to what i call"old-fashioned" names: Charlotte, Felix, Hazel, Nora. Another faction is doing Chloe - a rather popular name now, Kayla, Lauren, Kaitlyn, Cameron, lots of Irish names, Remi, Elke, Zoe. And Bruce Willis' new dgt is Mabel! I was named for an aunt who died just prior to my birth, but was never called Mabel by anyone. One of my son's friends have dgts London and Sydney! ???
-
Megan is Welsh, and I certainly have seen it used in a lot of books taking place in Ireland. And it does come from Margaret, so there's your Saint!
-
Goodness. I am reading the J.K rowling book. "Casual Vacancy" Such language never read a book with so much bad stuff and talks of sex. The F word on every page.Never figured she would do that. Story not bad . Don't know if would make it without all the bad words and talk in it. Suppose that is the way lots of people do talk. Specially the young now. Will see how far I get.
-
JeanneP I didn't care for it - not bad but not good - to me it had just too many plots and subplots - but then if you are writing about a community I guess every household has a story.
-
Thanks for warning me, Jeanne. Have had it on my Wish List to purchase when it comes out in paperback. Have just deleted it from that list. Cannot stand potty mouths. I DO understand it is a generational thing and that my granddaughters think nothing of it. But I not only cannot bear to read or hear it, I cannot bear being constantly reminded that polite society is gone and almost forgotten.
-
My granddaughter had Rowlings book on her Christmas book list. So it was one of the ones I got.. Should ask her if she liked it.. I decided it did not sound good to me.. I will stick to Harry..
-
I hope you have had a chance to VOTE FOR the APRIL Book Club selection (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=309.msg186285#new)... the poll just opened yesterday - and already, there's a three way tie! It's really important to read the descriptions in the title links before stepping into the voting booth!
-
Have been slogging through Olive Kitteridge and finally just gave it up.. It won all sorts of prizes, but I just could not get into it. For one thing I dislike short stories mostly.
-
I read Olive Kitteridge, Steph, but I had a hard time liking some of the characters.
-
One of the very few books I could not finish and did not enjoy.
-
Yes, with the exception of Olives husband, who I liked, the rest were blah..and Olive was sort of a pain. Oh well. nothing ventured..
-
I agree about Olive Kitteridge. I did not like it at all. Like you, Steph, I usually do not care for short stories; but read this because of all the good things I read about it. I did finish; but am sorry I wasted my time on it.
Sally
-
I haven't read Olive Kitteridge but see that it's a collection of short stories that are "connected" to each other. Those of you who usually don't like short stories, is it the connected stories (the ones that have the same characters or other connections) that you don't like or is it something else about a short story that doesn't appeal to you? I like the genre of both short stories and novels (depending on the topic and writing, of course) and am interested to hear several of you saying that you don't care for short stories. I'm curious to learn what it is about the short story that isn't appealing.
-
I like short stories, and some of the most memorable writing I have ever read has been in this format. The Lottery. Who could EVER forget that? A Dissertation Upon Roast Pig. The Gift Of The Magi. Oh, so many more.
But I, too, do not like to sit down and read a collection of short stories; be they by one author or many. Why?
Well, for one thing, I like to really get into a book these days. Have it last me a while and pull me into its world. Short stories tend to be too abrupt. You start off, and WHOOPS, the story is done and you are left dismayed most of the time. Some happy or hilarious endings, but too, too few of these. Most of the time you are appalled and upset.
Feelings I avoid these days, as I can feel them nibble, nibble, nibble away at my physical well being and shove me ever closer to my demise.
I think this describes why I, why we, do not relish short stories these days.
-
You start off, and WHOOPS, the story is done and you are left dismayed most of the time. Some happy or hilarious endings, but too, too few of these. Most of the time you are appalled and upset.
You nailed it, marypage. Especially "dismayed".
I think this describes why I, do not relish short stories these days.[/b][/color]
[/quote]
-
I do like short stories done well by an author who brings us bits and pieces of lives especially if there is a message of sorts but even if just a glimpse into a life but with characters that I can enjoy and even if unusual circumstances at least a story line that if not happy brings me hope - or if horror there is an explanation if not a comeuppance but this group of stories were about dull experiences by dull people that at times gave me the willies - nothing I can put my finger on just now since I attempted this book I guess a year ago - just after it was all the rage - as I say it was one of only a very few books I never completed I'd as soon read Proust as to read this.
-
If only Proust had written short stories!
-
If only Proust had written short stories!
HAH!
One of his sentences is as long as a short story.
-
Thanks very much to those of you who've indicated why you do or don't read short stories. Some do have "surprise" endings. I vividly remember THE LOTTERY by Shirley Jackson and AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE by Ambrose Bierce.
-
Now, I never read that second one. At least, I am not remembering it.
-
Both are available to read online.
THE LOTTERY is at http://sites.middlebury.edu/individualandthesociety/files/2010/09/jackson_lottery.pdf
AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE is at
http://www.ambrosebierce.org/evans.html
or
http://fiction.eserver.org/short/occurrence_at_owl_creek.html
-
JoanK and Pat, LOL re Proust and short stories :-)
-
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is pretty memorable. I recommend it.
Thanks for the links, Marcie, maybe I'll go there and reread the two stories.
-
There is an annotated critical edition of "An Occurrence..." at http://www.ambrosebierce.org/evans.html
It's interesting that both stories have been adapted for tv/film.
-
When I'm busy and don't have much time for reading, a short story can keep my interest and come to an end in a reasonable time. I especially enjoy mystery stories, because I think the author really has to work hard to develop the plot in such a short work.
-
One of my complaints about many short stories is that since they have to set up and describe a situation, show a problem, and then resolve it, all in not very many pages, they tend to sound rather alike, formulaic. It's certainly not true of all, including the ones just mentioned.
Once I got unexpectedly stuck in a medical waiting room for three hours, my reading material being a book of short stories by David Guterson (author of Snow Falling on Cedars). The first one or two were really great, but as time dragged on they were more and more alike, and saying pretty much the same thing, and by the time I got out of there, 2/3 through the book, I never wanted to read another of his, and haven't.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
-
Shirley Jackson had her light side too. The Night We All Had Grippe is hilarious. If you haven't read it, try it here:
http://storyoftheweek.loa.org/2011/05/night-we-all-had-grippe.html (http://storyoftheweek.loa.org/2011/05/night-we-all-had-grippe.html)
It starts out like a logic puzzle (which it is in a way) but it's very funny and quite short.
-
I have the same problems as most of you with short stories.
The ones I have read have inevitably been depressing, there never seems to be a proper ending, and I can hardly remember any of them.
My Open University writing course was mad keen on them, presumably because the tutors didn't want to have to mark anything longer. I also recall attending a writing group in Canada years ago at which we were all required to write one of the wretched things - the one that the tutor liked best (and the tutor was, for once, a really lovely lady and published author) was read out, and I did try to like it, but it just seemed to fizzle out - it was about someone having a miscarriage (we were all at the baby-having stage then) and yes, it was depressing!
The only short story I have very much enjoyed is by Georgina Hammick, and even then I've forgotten its title. It's a conversation between an elderly woman and her son, and it's all about what she calls things, like rooms (is it a 'drawing room' or a 'lounge'?) her cleaning lady (ie you call the cleaner "mrs Todd" , never by her first name even though you've known her 15 years) - I suppose it's partly all about British class attitudes, but I thought it was very cleverly done. Found it now, it's called The Dying Room:
http://chrismart.luporz.com/Materials/UOD/LEVEL_6/Creative%20Practice%203/LA/readings/18.%20The%20Dying%20Room.html
Other than that one, I don't think I'd bother. Even the Persephone (a publisher whose reprints I usually gobble up with joy) reprint of a collection called The Casino by Margaret Bonham left me cold.
Rosemary
-
I like mystery short stories and tend to keep one book of them in the car. Sometimes I have to wait for things and that is a good solution.. But the Kitteridge was just depressing types, all connected by her of course..
-
I'm enjoying this discussion of short stories, and like you, MaryPage, while I might want to read one or two by an author, I don't want to read continuously a whole book of short stories by one author. Olive Kitteridge is a good example. I didn't finish the book either. Short story collections make good "car books" for those times when you're stuck waiting someplace. I have an Alice Munro collection there right now.
But some stories are memorable, like the ones you all have mentioned here -- Gift of the Magi, The Lottery, etc.
One of my favorites is "The First Confession" by Flannery O'Connor, about a little boy who is petrified of making his first confession. Another one is "The Day of the Last Rock Fight" by Joseph Whitehall, teenage angst, but also a bit of mystery.
There's one I'd like to re-read because I don't remember the ending. Read it years ago in a collective anthology. What happens is that a motorcycle gang takes over a hotel. Does that ring a bell for anyone?
-
Pedln, I too am enjoying the discussion of short stories. I don't know what the motorcycle gang story is. Could it be "The Cyclists' Raid" by Frank Rooney? The film, "The Wild One," with Marlon Brando was based on the story.
I've always been attracted to Flannery O'Connor stories. I believe that "The First Confession" is written by Frank O'Connor. Easy to type Flannery instead of Frank, especially since both have written numerous short stories and share a Catholic background.
I don't think that I've read "The Day of the Last Rock Fight" by Joseph Whitehill. Somehow the title reminds me of the short story, "All Summer in a Day" by Ray Bradbury, which has a "surprise" ending.
-
Marcie, thank you. You are so right. Frank O'Connor, not Flannery. And I should have caught that as I have his collection of short stories sitting on my bookshelf. Years ago one of my neighbors, a professor of English at our local U, and a great story teller to boot, entertained us at dinner with Frank's story.
Frank Rooney's "The Cyclists' Raid" may be the story I'm thinking of, but I can't find access to the whole story on line. It was published in Harpers Magazine in 1951. Supposedly it is based on or coame about because of some extreme motorcycle activities in Hollister, CA.
The link below was listed today in my weekly Sunday Books email from the Seattle Times.
Cellphone Fiction (http://seattletimes.com/html/books/2020466817_cellphonefictionxml.html)
-
That's an interesting article, pedln, and timely to our discussion!
-
The short story authors I have read and enjoyed - among many are John Grisham, Robert Penn Warren, Carson McCullers, Eudora Welty, William Faulkner, Truman Capote, Alice Walker, Somerset Maughan, Kipling, Conrad, Dahl, Wodehouse, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Maupassant, Washington Irving, Alexander McCall Smith, Anthony Trollope - and I could go on and on but nowhere near this list would I put Olive Kitteridge.
-
Bobbi Mason , who is a southern writer does short stories , but they are mostly about the same woman at various stages of her life. I have read at least two collections and for some reason liked them.. I also have a book just now, that is Studies of Sherlock, that are takeoffs on the Sherlock canon. Have not read it, but saw it the other day.
-
I haven't read many short stories in a long time. Most of them have been the likes of Ray Bradbury, Arther C. Clark, Isaac Asimov, and Mark Twain. The last shorties I read were one by H. Piper Beam's, and one of C. K. Chesterton.
An Occurance at Owl Creek is on my TBR list ever since I discovered inspired on of the Twilight Zone episodes. Looking it up, I've discovered it had inspired several movies and other TV episodes as well.
I ran across this website which lists tons of short stories. It even does a "Short Story of the Day".
http://www.americanliterature.com/short-stories
-
Do not care how good the writing, if a story causes me greatly disturbed emotions these days, just flat out do not like it. For that reason, am sorry I read An Occurance At Owl Creek. Am so very old and so very tired of the violence man does to man and of all of the billions and billions with lives full of heartache and heartbreak.
Now, if someone could please write down how all of this could be fixed and mankind could live happy, smiling, rewarding lifetimes, THAT happily ever after short story I would read.
No more downers! I'll pick out the uppers (all the licorice jelly beans, please!) and y'all can have the rest.
-
I'll have to re-read Bierce's An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. It's been such a long time since I read it that I don't remember it. I like his Devil's Dictionary.
Marj
-
Bierce's stories tend to be somewhat morbid, though. Not something to read when you need cheering.
MaryPage, I'll gladly give you all my licorice jelly beans if you give me your tangerine ones. ;)
-
PAT, I have a pound of jelly beans from a five and ten cents store from 1941. No tangerines. I mean, you are welcome to them, but there aren't any IN here!
Memories!
I live with them these days.
-
MaryPage is going to have to share her licorice jelly beans with me! Did you know that at Halloween you can get a bag of all black jelly beans?!?!?!
-
Thanks, Frybabe, for that link. A reminder that there are good short stories out there.
Marcie, I've never read Bradbury's All Summer in a Day, but many years ago I saw the film version and loved it. It's now available on U-Tube (see link below), but for those of us who need captions, it's the usual U-Tube gibberish.
Text -- All Summer in a Day (http://www.wssb.org/content/classrooms/tate/content/freshman/all%20summer%20in%20a%20day/story.htm)
U-Tube -- All Summer in a Day (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MydN-3mstak)
-
I used to love Bradbury, but for some reason have lost all interest in Fantasy in my old age. Not the teeniest bit of interest in that direction.
-
Short stories are a good introduction to writers whose long works seem too daunting. Tolstoy, Thomas Mann, Henry James, James Joyce all wrote great short stories.
I was only half kidding about Proust and short stories. The first hundred pages of "Remembrance of Things Past" are great. if only he'd stopped there (if only I'd stopped there!!!)
-
Didn't we have a short story discussion group a while back? I kind of remember we started out with The Ransom of Red Chief.
When I was high school age, or there abouts, I was into reading essays rather than short stories.
-
I dropped by with this news this morning, none of these are short stories...
We have a THREE-WAY TIE For April Bookclub Discussion
Run-Off Vote HERE (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KDCVZTZ) (link to vote)
(NOTE THAT ALL OF THESE TITLES ARE LINKED TO REVIEWS)
All Quiet on the Western Front (http://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Western-Front-Erich-Remarque/dp/0449213943) by Erich Remarque
The Monk (http://www.eclipse.co.uk/sweetdespise/recom/reviews/ml_tm.html) by Matthew Lewis
The Moonstone (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6138.The_Moonstone) by Wilkie Collins
-
Why oh why does Daylight savings time make me soooo tired. I go to bed tired,I wake up tired. I nap... I drag around..Boo.
-
It's got me out of whack too, Steph, especially my stomach. At least the cats are letting me sleep a little longer. They haven't figured it out yet
I'm going to have to take a little time deciding. Very tough choices this time.
-
Oh ginny,, a book to make you laugh and a novel to boot.. An oldie, that maybe you have not read. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith.. I guarantee many laughs and smiles of joy.
-
Oh I second that Steph - it's one of my very favourite books.
Rosemary
-
As I grow older, I retreat sometimes to rereading books that I have always loved. It cheers me up and is reliable..Silly but there it is.
I was cut off from the world yesterday. My cable,computer hookup and house phone all went out.. Out side lines and since I live in a townhouse with six units. All of us got cut off.
-
Stephanie, I think you're thinking of Barbara, but that looks so good I ordered it, too. Love the cover alone.
Oh and Summer's Lease by John Mortimer has finally come, it looks wonderful. I get the best recommendations here!
-
Who ever wanted laughter and joy should read the book.. Cassandra is a favorite character of mine. The book was too short and I would have loved to go on and on with that family. Funny how sometimes the characters in a much loved book were so much fun and you never got to know more of them.
An old favorite of mine is The Cheerleader by Ruth Doan Macdougal.. Her Snowy was me when in school and it really struck a few nerves.. The book has been a coming of age story for many females. She finally broke down and wrote the rest of the story. Two more books on Snowy ( I have read one and the other is on a rare book list and not reprinted) and then wrote a book each on Snowys best friends. At the end you know the whole story of the three girls..
-
Steph. Is Cassandra the name of the book. Who wrote it? I can't find it anywhere.
-
Whoops had the wrong discussion but I think I found them - I have been moaning and groaning about wanting to read books that are more than just cheerful but give you at least a outloud chuckle if not an eruption of a belly laugh that is hard to stop.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette: A Novel - by Maria Semple
Mrs Queen Takes the Train: A Novel - by William Kuhn
Angelmaker - by Nick Harkaway
The Twelve Chairs (Northwestern World Classic) - by Ilya Ilf
Conference at Cold Comfort Farm (Vintage Classics) - by Stella Gibbons
Spiritual Quest of Francis Wagstaffe - by Toby Forward and David Johnson
Freshwater: A Comedy - by Virginia Woolf
The 50 Funniest American Writers: An Anthology of Humor from Mark Twain to The Onion - by Andy Borowitz
Of course there is Wodehouse and more of Stella Gibbons but I read them all - even did Mark Twain - just needed a few belly laughs that seem to come out of improbable situations included in a novel.
-
Suds In Your Eye by Mary Lasswell was one of the funniest books I ever read in my life. And I, too, read and roared over every Wodehouse.
-
No, Cassandra is the heroine of I Capture the Castle.. by Dodie Smith.. an old tried and true favorite to be uplifting and funny.. Laugh out loud.. Janet Evanovich.. mostly the original Plums.
-
Virginia Woolf wrote a funny book? Wow!
-
Virginia Woolf wrote a funny book? Wow!
Actually, Orlando has funny bits in it too, but you wouldn't read it just for the laughs.
-
I have read her, but cannot really imagine her as funny.. Weird,, yes, sad,, always, but funny. Hmmm.
As always when I move, I look at the books and honestly truly try to weed them down, but truth is.. I never seem to get that far.
-
If you're looking for a light and airy book the new Alexander Mcall Smith's continuation of the adventures of Mma Ramotswe, "The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection" is a hoot and a half.
Also very humorous, but sometimes a bit sad , Nor a Ephron's last book: "I Worry About My Neck".
A good collection of short stories is by Annie Proulx: "Close Range".The movie Brokeback Mountain arose out of one of those stories.
Thanks so much for the list of humorous books. I'm always looking for one but seldom finding them.
-
I loved Nora's last book.. I worry about my neck.. although my neck is the least of my worries.. Still it was funny and true all at once.
Just finished "Her last Death" bu Susanna Sonnenberg. What a strange memoir.. Brutal in the telling.. makes you wonder how it could possibly be true.. Oh well. Not the kind of life, I would want at all.
-
I agree, Jude, about Annie Proulx's short stories. I didn't care to see the movie Brokeback Mountain, but really enjoyed the story by her from which the movie was made.
Marj
-
I thought the movie Brokeback Mountain extremely well done.
-
I did too. It was worth seeing.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
We are happy to announce that Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=3772.0) has been selected for the Book Club Online discussion. We will begin on April 15 and continue through the month of May. This is a delightful classic, believed to be the first detective/mystery novel. We hope you drop in now and say hello, select your chair...
-
Did I mention that I was reading 'Thursdays in the Park' by Hilary Boyd, which has been heralded as a romance for 'mature' people?
Well I finished it - but only just. It really deteriorated as it went on, the plot was flimsy, the heroine increasingly irritating, and the ending - well, it made me want to throw the book across the room (except it was on my Kindle, so luckily I restrained myself...)
I know romantic fiction is all fantasy, but this just stretched the limits too far - I think to be satisfying, this genre always needs to retain a little bit of 'it could happen to me', but by half way through this one I knew it couldn't happen to ANYONE. It's had a fair few 5* reviews on Amazon, but also plenty of bad ones. I decided not to review it there as I'm increasingly aware that writers read these things avidly and I don't want to ruin anyone's day - but I'll certainly not be reading her next novel (which is already out._
Rosemary
-
I am always so far behind on movies. Do them mostly through Netflix.. Our local movie will not publish their times in the paper.. You can call, but you get ads like crazy and then finally... the times or you can drop by the theatre. Wish they would spend a bit of money and publish their times. Annoying.
-
Steph, can you look for the times on the theater's web site? We go to the movie very seldom, but that's what I do.
RosemaryKaye, it is tough when you can't physically throw a book :D, but I've been known to stop reading when I really hate where the book is going.
-
Rosemary, I find it disappointing when I spend time with a book and then end up finding it a disappointing read. Usually, I don't finish such a book.
Julia Spencer Fleming's third book, OUT OF THE DEEP I CRY was such a book for me. I got so bored with the book's plodding on and on that I skipped to the end to see who did it. I guess I just wasn't in the mood for this book and lost patience with it after reading two really great books, ROUND HOUSE by Louise Erdrich, and SUSPECT by Robert Crais, both excellent stories and writing.
Marj
-
I like Julia Spencer-Fleming, but some of hers are better than others, for sure.
-
the theatre chains web sites are nation and don't have the local movies at all.Silly.. Bah..
I love Julia Spencer-Fleming, but feel that Louise Erdrich is tedious sometimes. I like her, but in small doses.
-
Moviefone. You can put in your area, and it will show local theatres, click theatre of choice and it will indicate what is showing and showtimes.
Try It!
-
I find so much consolation and peace in my heart from reading Julia Spencer-Fleming, and I am so grateful to SOMEONE in here or in Mysteries who recommended her to me, else I might never have read her at all.
I just finished ONE WAS A SOLDIER, the 7th and last so far of her Reverend Clare Fergusson series. Never have I read anyone describe the development of a romance and deep love as she has done with this series. I also love Clare's caregiving instincts, her abilities as a counselor and her deep spirituality and true devotion to the ministry.
-
I'm close to finishing Mrs Lincoln's Dressmaker. It's been an enjoyable read. There is more about Mary Todd Lincoln than about Elizabeth Keckley, the dressmaker. She includes much of the history from the White House perspective and does a good job at the history. A good historical fiction book.
-
Steph, our chains are nat'l, too (Carmike, etc.). When I google "movies chattanooga", one of the choices is fandango.com. It takes me to a page with movie times in Chattanooga at all theaters. I don't know that we have any truly local movie houses. Oh, well - I guess it's different in different locales.
-
Our local movie is EPIC. which is a national chain.. So no idea why they don't use any local advertising.Will try the two suggestions, since I like movies and have really stopped going.. had a lovely afternoon yesterday.. Went and played Bunco for a local fundraiser.. 48 women and I laughed a lot.. Amazing how different players act in so many different ways. It is only the third time I have played bunco.. Pure luck game.. but loved the company. Sunday afternoons for me are long long long..
-
It's great to laugh with a bunch of folks. Good day, Steph! And I hope one of the online places can help you with the movie times.
-
I spent a good deal of yesterday with the home inspector in the home that I am buying. Very instructive.. I feel like I know a good bit about the appliances and where mechanical things are there..
-
Do you have a moving date? Will your boys be coming to help?
-
I am getting the two sons on two different weekends. I want them to take down my pot racks, take down all of the high stuff and PACK UP THE GARAGE. Since I don't honestly know what to take in there and what to give away. I am really weeding out things.. Mover is scheduled for the 26 of April.. So I am working hard.
-
You are bound to give something away and it will be one of the first things you need at the new house. Never fails.
-
I have had a horrendous two months; but hopefully I am back and on the road to recovery. I developed an infection in my jaw bone that would not clear up. After many trips to dentist, oral surgeon and many rounds of antibiotics; they finally did a ct scan and discovered that the infection had killed part of my jaw bone. The bone was dissolving and the shards of bone were keeping the infection going. I had surgery the last of Feb and had to have a titanium jaw (partial) put in. I am still swollen, sore and partially numb; but sooooo much better! I saw the oral surgeon on Mon. and he says I am doing well, and it will just take time for the healing to complete. Thank goodness for my sister in law who lives about 12 miles from me. I was weak and on pain meds, so couldn't drive myself, etc. It was the first time in my life I felt so helpless...
made me start thinking about moving closer to my daughter but she lives in Dallas, and I really don't want to live in a city.
I didn't do much reading; but am ready to get started again. I have downloaded Moonstone and hope to join that discussion. I had read The End of You Life Book Club and planned to participate in that session, but.....
Sally
-
What an ordeal, Sally! I'm so sorry, but isn't it amazing what medical science can do now. So glad your SIL was nearby to help out. I don't blame you for not wanting to live in the city, but I guess time will tell for you. Lots of love and hugs from all of us.
-
Oh Sally, you poor thing. It does indeed sound absolutely horrendous, and I do hope things continue to improve. Thank goodness you had your sister-in-law to help with some things.
Very best wishes,
Rosemary
-
What a nasty turn Sally. I am glad you are on the road to recovery.
-
Sally!! What an awful freak thing, how on earth did it start? I had an abscessed tooth before I knew it and it took 3 more months of antibiotics to cure it. If I had read your story before it happened I'd have been scared to death.
I am SO sorry, I know that hurt and I hope that you are much better now, did it start from a tooth?
{{{{HUGS}}}}} I hope you are right as rain soon!
-
Call for the Official Books Get Well Chicken Soup!!
(http://seniorlearn.org/latin/graphics/chickenssoup75.GIF)
-
Oh Sally, I am so very sorry. You have had a siege.. Glad you are better and will hope for you that you will be back to normal very soon.. A platinum jawbone?? Hmm, does it set off the things at the airport??
-
Oh Sally! How ghastly for you. Sooo glad you are having a happy ending. We had missed you dreadfully. Bobbing balloons and dancing a jig that you are back.
-
Oh my Sally. What a trial! I'm sooo glad you're back.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
-
Ginny, Yes, it started with an abcessed tooth back in October. 3 months of antibiotics, extraction of two teeth, more antibiotics, & finally the ct scan and surgery. Steph, it's titanium, not platinum (although, platinum sounds classier!). I don't know about airport scanning...I will have to find out about that. I am still swollen & sore; but it's much better than it was.
Thank everyone for your best wishes for my recovery.
Sally
-
Titanium is wonderful stuff. I am allergic to a good many metals and have to be careful with eye glasses that touch my face and jewelry, but I got titanium nose guards for my glasses and I have stopped turnin green upon occasion.
-
I understand, Steph. George also must use Titanium glasses. In his case, he isn't so much allergic (although he is allergic to a lot of things) as that lesser materials corrode to fast.
-
Sally, what an experience. How awful for you. I'm glad things are improving and that you are on the road to recovery. Hang in there. We're all pulling for you.
-
Hope you are feeling better each day, Sally.
-
Sally, it is amazing what the human body can do.. I am sure you will be better day by day.. Don't rush it.
-
At long last, Project Gutenberg has completed their conversion of The Kingdom of Slender Swords by Hallie Erminie Rives. I read it long ago (still have the book). As I remember it, it is primarily a romance set in Japan. It has been begging to be reread. The book was published in 1910. http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42427
-
Here are some books that I recently read & comments on them: The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani--just so-so imo, A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy. It had been a while since I read Binchy & I enjoyed the book; but felt like it was a collection of connected short stories, Edwin of the Iron Shoes by Marcia Muller (someone here recommended it for a light mystery). I enjoyed it. Mrs Presumed Dead by Simon Brett. I found it a little tedious, plus I bought it used from Amazon & someone had marked it up so badly with juvenile comments written it that I almost couldn't finish it.
I am currently reading The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton, and Poison Flower by Thomas Perry. Both are good so far.
What are you enjoying reading?
Sally
-
I like Thomas Perry, so will look for Poison Flower.. With the move I am really not reading that much.. I have a book by James Lee Burkes daughter who writes mysteries but have barely gotten into it. I have read others of hers and like her. She writes from a female point of view and it is fun.Bedbook is Studies in Sherlock and is short stories written for the book all in the version of the Holmes canon.
-
I've only read one book by Thomas Perry -- SILENCE. I loved the husband and wife assassin team who were so much into ballroom dancing. Great suspenseful story with good characterization. I'll have to read Poison Flower.
Marj
-
I think I did a "thumbs down" on here or Srs&Friends about the latest Thomas Perry, Poison Flower. He was one of my favorite authors, and in this he finally got back to his Jane Whitefield character,which I loved, but really mucked this one up. I wouldn't recommend it, most of it is beyond belief, and is sacrilege to the Jane character (IMHO). But...take your chances.
-
Different strokes for different folks. I really enjoyed The Shoemaker's Wife, especially the New York settings, particularly those involving the opera. Delightful NY history.
Am currently reading Daniel Silva's A Fallen Angel. My only problem with it -- I like it -- but am usually reading in bed at night and wish I were by my computer so I could look at some of the works of art that are mentioned. The book is a Gabriel Allon, set in Rome.
We have now finished with The End of Your Life Book Club, and there are so many from there that I want to read. Definitely Karen Connelly's The Lizard Cage, don't know if I have the courage to start Ishmael Beah's Long Way Gone.
-
Daniel Silva.. I do love his books and have the latest, but with all of the commotion, I have not started it. I know I just cannot put them down and I am so busy with the packing.
-
Daniel Silva is another author I haven't read yet, but have started acquiring them for my huge TBR pile. Sigh!
-
Steph, Are you moving to another town, or just another house in your same town? Are you downsizing a lot?
Sally
-
I own The Secret Keeper, but am way behind in catching up on reading the books I have, so have it way down in the stacks. Will be interested to hear how you like it. I move up books someone raves about.
-
Silvas hero Gabriel Allon is spectacular.. I have never liked spy stories, but I love all of his books.. Gruesome in parts, but somehow it doesn't bother me.
-
We "women of a certain age" :) have all seen pictures of Jackie Kennedy in her wedding dress, but didn't know that it was designed and made by an African-American woman from Alabama who designed and made dresses for the Auchincloss family for a decade. I just read Mrs Lincoln's Dressmaker, the story of Elizabeth Keckley's life almost exactly 100 yrs before Ann Lowe and i recommend it.
I also read today this story about Nellie Taft's decades long campaign to get the Japanese cherry trees to line the basin in D.C., and the unnamed women who saved them when the Jefferson Memorial was being built and Lady Bird Johnson's expanding them. If you've ever appreciated their beauty, you'll enjoy reading how they are a result of women's energies.
http://blogs.archives.gov/prologue/?p=11922
http://saintssistersandsluts.com/nellie-taft-eliza-scidmore-and-japanese-cherry-trees/
-
I do want to read the Mrs. Lincoln thing, but am still working on getting it.. Ah Jackie.. fashion heroine to so many of us young brides..
-
I'm not sure where someone mentioned Paula Cohen's "Jane Austin in........." books, but i picked up "....in Bocca." For some reason i thought they wre mysteries, but so far this one is just a nice story about three retired women who have ended up in "Bocca Festa" in Fla. one has moved from NJ and the Newark Star Ledger newspaper is mentioned early in the book. People all over the state read it, not just in north Jersey, so that caught my eye. There is a lot of Jewish humor which resonates with me living here outside if Philly. I'm enjoying it.
After reading about ten pages i thought "let me learn some more about this author." Looking at the book flap it says she's an English professor at U of Pa, (no slouch job!) and lives in Moorestown, NJ!!! That's where i am.
-
Wow. If you like her, you may get to meet her. let us know what you think.
-
Moorsetown.. used to live in Willingboro many many years ago and go to Moorestown Mall..
-
I spent most of Saturday in Willingboro where friends live who were celebrating their 50th anniversary. The luncheon and reception were across the creek in what used to be Pirate's Inn and then we went to their house in Pennypacker Park.
Yesterday i had lunch with two women who i hired when i was Dir of the YWCA in the 1970's and we've been friends ever since. They have lived in Willingboro for all those years.
Jean
-
Just finished The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. I usually like her books, but this one was too long (imo) and kept skipping back & forth between 1940's and 2011. It was good and the ending was very satisfying; but I got tired of reading it before it was over. Maybe it was just the mood I was in......
Sally
-
Oh fun.. I lived in Pennypacker on Paddock Lane.. Sons who are now 49 and 51,, the younger started kindergarden there.. Both loved the school.. We used to go to a fish place in Rancocas that had unlimited crab once in a while.. Still have a cousin who lives in Lumberton.
-
Oh Steph, you must know my friends who are celebrating their 50th, there kids are the same age as yours and would have gone to Pennypacker school at the same time. Send me your email and I'll tell you all their names........Edwards on Pennypaker Dr.
Jean
-
I knew my neighbors on Paddock Lane, but not many others. Only three years there and that was a long long time ago. Paddock was a culdesac..
-
Jean, really? I must get that. I've been gone from Moorestown too long to recognize her name, (or maybe she's moved there in the last 50 years?), but isn't it a small world!?! I remember there was one minor author in town (not her) who was very eccentric. I always thought it would be wonderful to be an author whose very presence energizes everybody, and allows one to go about nuts, as it were.
Can't wait to read it, how exciting! Keep us posted. It sounds like exactly what I'm looking for right now.
I didn't get to the Moorestown HS 50th class reunion but have had a lot of fun corresponding with old classmates who did go. Our class did very well for themselves, but for some reason I don't recognize a soul in the photos. :)
I do miss NJ and PA in the fall, but other than that it's a paradise here. Ah nostalgia.
-
Ginny, i think Moorestown is one of the prettiest towns i've been in in both spring and fall. Right now there are so many flowers and flowering bushes and trees. It's so lovely. Many have bloomed just in this last week when it got into the 80's for two days. This is the nicest time to enjoy Strawbride Lake, because when it gets warmer the mosquitos are unpleasant.
Isn't it nice to get back in touch with school friends after many years?
Jean
-
Yes it was, it took 50 years off my life immediately. I heard from my old high school flame and a good friend who remembered things about me that I didn't, and lots of other people I had wondered about. Unfortunately two of the people I most wanted to see are gone. Strawbridge Lake! I have many memories of falling on the ice on Strawbridge Lake, trying to learn to ice skate. Seems kind of idyllic now. I noticed that many of my HS class kept saying how lucky they felt to have grown up in Moorestown. It was another time and place and seems very nostalgic now. I did love that library/ community house, which was right in front of our house so I spent a lot of time in those window seats, reading.
-
I grew up in the country just outside a teeny little town in Delaware.. Our school was a consolidated, which meant that it was mostly rural students. We all came in buses, or most of us. Going back to reunions brought back so many good memories. Most of my classmates have never moved away, but I did on marriage and a very dear friend or two did as well. It was another time.. But I did laugh.. When you grow up surrounded by relatives in a teeny little area, everyone knows everhthing about you, whether you like it or not.
-
A very different life than us city dwellers.
-
Just back from a trip to London followed by another trip to the Lake District for my father-in-law's 80th birthday party.
In London, Madeleine and I visited the Whitechapel Gallery, at which we saw a very interesting exhibition about Barbara Jones, an artist and one of the curators of the 1951 Festival of Britain. Jones collected all sorts of 'everyday' things and saw the art in them. One of my favourite exhibits was a tiled fireplace in the shape of a Airedale dog.
Whitechapel is in the East End of London and is now a very Muslim area - I found all the little shops fascinating, but Madeleine, who has grown up entirely in Scotland, felt a little out of place and uncomfortable. She loved the gallery though. I am going to get her to read Monica Ali's Brick Lane (thought I had a copy but it seems I don't.)
We also went to Tate Britain, which I don't think I'd ever visited before, and which is a strange mixture of old panitings (Stubbs, Reynolds, etc) and modern art, all stuck together in a rather higgeldy-piggeldy fashion - but the building is lovely, and afterwards we walked around Pimlico, marvelled at the price of the property (a 2-bed flat was £3.5 million!) and had lunch in a lovely cafe called Pimlico Fresh.
On the train, I read (see, I got to the book eventually... ;D ) 'Trains and Lovers' by Alexander McCall Smith. It's a short novella about four people who meet (on the Edinburgh to London train!). The central premise is unconvincing - ie that four complete strangers would not only strike up a conversation, but would also each recount their entire life stories and - perhaps even less likely - that these would all be interesting rather than terminally boring. However, if you can get past this, the stories were good and made you want to know more. I see that the Amazon reviews are mixed. I'd give it 4 stars.
In the Lakes, I discussed books with my MIL, who has just bought Gone Girl, but hasn't got far with it yet. I told her a lot of people on here had read it.
Beautiful sunny day here - I'd better get the laundry started now :(
Rosemary
-
Gone Girl.. my best seller that drove me nuts.. Never again for her, thank you. The last time I was in London, we stay just off Oxford Street and the whole street seemed to be muslim, except for one pub that had a huge sign outside.. owned and run by Brits.. We stayed at a Hilton, the hotel was nice, but walking outside made me feel I was not in London any more. Will never do that again..I am with your daughter,, not comfortable when all the rest of the women were in full black stupidity.
-
Rosemary's back! I keep waiting for news of your moving, etc. I assume the move has not yet taken place, you moved that last time so quickly. I cannot fathom moving, they will have to bring in bulldozers, and just carry me out with the detritus. Talk about carbon footprint. I remember when we bought this farm and I said (famous last words) we'll never fill all this up (there's a barn which is a lot bigger than my old attic). I was wrong. hahaha
Tate! Last year waiting for Richard III to open with Mark Rylance at the Globe in London I made the serious error of going into the Tate Modern to kill time and thought, oh Damien Hirst's exhibit, why not? Haven't I heard about him? I thought I had, name seemed vaguely familiar.
Yes, well, apparently I had not heard enough. Never in my life, and I mean that, have i seen such an exhibit. Never again, either. But I love what they did with the Tube there, so easy to get to now, now we can see why Blackfriars has been closed so long. Love that entire scene, minus Hirst. (obsessed as he is with intestines, dead meat and flies). Could not believe people had brought children into that thing. Small children.
Interesting theme on the McCall book. I have never really understood why strangers on a train or in an airport or anywhere else in travel seem to feel the compulsion, the urgent need to tell their life's story to whoever they meet. I don't understand it, even waiting in line people seem to need to share who they are and all sorts of details nobody cares about. I worry I'm becoming an old curmudgeon. Or maybe am already. It drives me wild. He must travel a lot, because it happens everywhere and I laughed when you said The central premise is unconvincing - ie that four complete strangers would not only strike up a conversation, but would also each recount their entire life stories and - perhaps even less likely - that these would all be interesting rather than terminally boring.
Absolutely right. I've never understood that compulsion. That and the need to whip out the cell phone and say we've just landed on the tarmac. I'll call you back after we get into the airport. All over the plane you hear these loud conversations all saying the same thing. All right, already, we know, you've landed. Gosh what a culture we've become. (It's probably just me).
I will shut up after this one: once I actually heard (who could miss it) some poor soul in the boarding area frantically calling apparently everybody he had ever known, finally (he was pacing so we could all get the effect as he bellowed into the cell phone) he got the wife of somebody he met at one time, who had nothing to do with this current trip, and had to explain to her in excruciatingly embarrassing bellows who he was and where he was. Over and over. She seemed as confused with this information as we all were, and as reluctant to share it as we all were. I felt so sorry for him. He wanted so much to be in touch with somebody when he could have talked to the person next to him (on second thought, go ahead and tell XXX's wife who has no idea of who you are that you're about to take off, instead, and the plane was late). Joining the chorus was a woman sitting on the first row explaining to her captive audience by phone and by hearing that she could have sat in the first class lounge, smirk smirk, but she preferred to be out among the people. Smirk. And people wonder why there are cars on trains with a red slash thru a photo of a cell phone.
Gosh. I think I'll get the McCall Smith book and see if there's a lesson I can learn from this "sharing."
-
Rosemary, what a great trip -- to explore London and to show it to your daughter. It sounds like you had a lovely time. And fun to talk books with your MIL, too.
Thank goodness for GoogleSearch. What McCall book? What strangers? I want to read it and I don't think it's from the film STrangers on a Train which has been on my Netflix queue forever.
Aha -- Trains and Lovers by Alexander McCall Smith -- :D It sounds good, Ginny. Another one for the TBR list.
-
Hi Ginny and Pedln,
Ginny - the Tate we went to was the Tate Britain on Millbank, not that ghastly Tate Modern place (which I've been obliged to visit in the past with my husband, who thinks modern art will somehow keep him young.....) Tate Britain is still a bit weird in places, but not nearly so vile as the Modern one (have they still got that ridiculous crack? Husband thinks it's wonderful...)
My mother lives in the London suburbs (where I grew up), so when we are down there we use the local commuter trains a lot, and all you hear if you are travelling in the evening rush hour is "I'm on the train" over and over again. There are no 'quiet coaches' on suburban trains - we do always book those on the main line service from Edinburgh to King's Cross, but even then you inevitably get people who don't seem to notice/care, and are still on their phones, playing their music. etc etc. I loved that there were carriages on the train from Philadelphia to Boston where quiet really meant quiet and you were only allowed to whisper.
No, I haven't moved yet, though it's definitely in the offing. It's always such an upheaval, I would love to be a person who stayed in the same place for years - we have no roots. I suppose it can be exciting sometimes, but generally it's just tons of work and tons of emotional stress.
Rosemary
-
Oh Rosemary, just now even though I really wanted to move, I am in the final stages and that is just no fun at all.. Lots of lone objects here and there, that I have not made up my mind to keep or not.. Pantry disassembled . Why oh why do I think I need two of everything. Sigh.. Oh well two weeks more and I should be in the new house and done with this one. Whine whine whine.
-
Rosemary, how lucky you are to have grown up in London and have a mother still living there! i love London. Yes, the Tate Modern. I had just been in the Tate Britain, I took the boat down, this time, the sort of shuttle? from the Tate Britain to the Tate Modern, I thought that would be a lovely picturesque way to go. (It would have been, but it started to rain). Still.
(have they still got that ridiculous crack? Husband thinks it's wonderful...)
Crack? I don't remember a crack, where is it? I'll tell you what I do remember: I went first in the Hirsh, yes and when I finally managed to identify what that mound was in the huge plexiglass container full of live flies (it was raw meat, that was very unsettling to imagine what part of what animal that might be, turned out to be a head, no joke) and after I managed to get past the madonnas and saints displaying vital organs, and the cow and the calf shown organ wise, flayed as it were on one side, I exited into the newest, most exciting exhibit they had there. I don't recall what it was called? It had just opened, and if one wanted to see the interpretative dance one was too early, but a special show would be put on at 3 or something.
It was all dark. Total darkness. You went in in darkness, could see nothing. One had the feeling something important was taking place, the docents or whatever they were were in sort of raptures that you should understand. One felt one was letting the side down by not looking appreciative. Was there some sort of hum? Were there directions? Any sort of explanation? I dunno. Was it supposed to simulate a brain? I dunno. Was there a crack? I dunno. Suddenly a voice came out, it was a recording of an American woman talking about how difficult it was to care for her elderly mother.
I thought: I did not come all this way for this experience. If I want to hear this I can stay home. So I exited, did not even eat there in their vaunted cafeterias. (for some reason I had no appetite whatsoever at this point). :) I am obviously a Philistine, albeit a wet one, and in no mood for the glories of the Tate Modern, but I have enjoyed the Tate St. Ives, I don't know how that compares or how good it is, but I liked it. And there's Barbara Hepworth's stones in Cornwall, polished stones, etc., that I was once dragged to by a friend who was very into that stuff.
I will say, however, that Mr. Rylance put on a performance I have never seen before in Richard III (he apparently had a big hand in staging it) and I enjoyed it tremendously, wet as I was. And then the sun came out and I took another type of boat back to Westminster, very fun.
-
Sorry, all that has nothing to do with fiction!! :) I've been trying to read Lincoln Chlid's The Third Gate, it sounds as if it would be wonderful and I like him, Egyptology, etc., etc., etc., but for some reason I keep putting it down.
There's too much "set up," and it seems formulaic, maybe it was just me on a trip but I'm going to put it aside till later on, and that's all I've tried in fiction since Summer's Lease, which is hard to beat anyway.
-
When I am back in UK I don't get into London often now. Maybe take the train down for the day. Keep saying I will try to spend a week there and see all the changes. The new Dock changes being one.
It is amazing what property does now cost in UK. What surprises me is even up North they pay over a Million for a flat. These not rich people. Makes me wonder how some I the people I know afford that.
Had my daughter over a few years ago and took her to see where I grow up and lived for 20 years. My area had been torn down and buiding of Flats and homes built. We were walking and all Muslims. She was even scared and needed to leave. I had seem them in their dark garbs before so was O.K. Little sad though about the changes. The whole area reaching up to Bradford, Yorkshire has gone that way.
-
I have finished Jane Austen in Boco. It was very slow, had a lot of character description, a little story, a little suspense, but was just what i needed through two weeks of having company, cleaning, deciding what we were eating, shopping, cooking - altho the DH did most of the cooking of meat, thank you Dear - entertaining, visiting w/ other friends, etc. Didn't need any complex, in-depth, suspenseful story.
Paula Cohen tells a little story about retired, mostly Jewish seniors from NY and NJ, now living in "Boco Feste" in Fla. the first part of the book was very slow, giving the reader character development. It was a little too strong on which ones were going to "couple up" with whom, almost too "romantic fiction" for me. But there was other suspense with a nice splattering about books from characters who were a retired college librarian and a literature professor. It ends with a "seminar" on Pride and Prejudice for the residents of Boco Feste and an interesting discussion about Mr and Mrs Bennett and the daughters. It was a discussion that most of us had sometime in our early years in a high school or college literature class, but from the perspective of 70+ year olds.
If you're looking for an easy, uncomplicated read, pick up Moorestonian Paula Cohen's books, several of them titled "Jane Austen in.............".
-
I tried the Jane Austen series, but could not finish whichever book it was .. Too romance oriented for me.
I am reading a non fiction just now on being hearing impaired.. Interesting in some parts. Some baffle me,, I am medium deaf, wear two hearing aids, but never ever seem to have suffered from the vanity of this woman.. Good heavens.. do you want to hear.? Do you really care that much that people will think you are old?? Whew.. Just do not get it. Highly recommended, but I am not impressed with all of the whining.
-
I've read books like that. I keep wanting to say "That's not helpful. tell us how you handled it!"
-
Just noticed that we haven't heard from Barb in a while. Anyone know what's up there? I am still fighting complication from my surgery. I have to go to an infectious disease specialist on Wed. Hopefully this will get the infection healed.
Sally
-
Some of it is interesting, but some of it is just flat out dumb. She is a editor in NYC and is very very deaf now, has a cochlear transplant in one ear.. However even though you are supposed to be retrained in hearing after the transplant, she put that off for six months, because she was just soooo busy and did not want anyone to know she hadthe thing..Cannot imagine being that silly.
-
That's not only silly, it's possible it made the transplant less successful. You probably have to establish new nerve pathways and new ways of processing input, and if you don't do it right away, you might get stuck with an incorrect pathway.
I read a review of that book a few days ago, and the reviewer, who had had similar hearing problems and a cochlear transplant, said some of the same things you are saying.
-
Oh I am loving Jane Austen in Boca!! Love it. It's light and fun and breezy, I'm only to chapter 5, and I'm too ignorant to see the Jane Austen connection, but I'm loving it.
It reminds me of working through the summer before college at Tennannah Lake House in the Catskills of NYC, it was a Kosher resort. I loved it, tho am not Jewish. This one is about three Jewish widows in a retirement complex, and is spot on. You read her first chapters and want all her other books. I got Much Ado about Jesse Kaplan too.
Thank you for recommending it, Jean.
-
You are welcome Ginny. Hang in there for a little while to get to Jane Austin. Also, this author s Paula Marantz Cohen, there is another Paula Cohen. Of course, she was "housed" next to PMC at the library. Thinking it was the same person, i picked up "Gramercy Park", very different! Altho interesting. She won some awards for the book.
It is set in the 1890's in NYC, of course, and not only has a Victorian setting, but is written in a somewhat Victorian novel style. Altho it was in the "fiction" section, is has a mystery/suspenseful story. A man, who had a teenage girl as a ward, has died. The young woman's background is the mystery. I'm reading it in bed before sleep and have twice put it down, not being sure if i want to find out what her experience was. The suggestion is that she may have been some sort of "sex slave", altho that may just be my imagination at work. :)
There is also an opera angle, so if you are a fan of opera you might enjoy those references.
-
http://www.amazon.com/Paula-Marantz-Cohen/e/B001IQXM7S
Apparently she has now moved to Drexel U as a professor. The bio in the Boco book I'm reading said she was at U of Penn at the time.
http://www.amazon.com/Gramercy-Park-Paula-Cohen/dp/031230997X
-
Oh good, another one. Are there a string of these Jane Austen in XXXX books? The Jesse Kaplan is also Paula Marantz Cohen. So far it rings as true as a bell and I'm so enjoying it.
It reminds me too of the mysteries in the Retirement Center by the Sea books by a Clemson professor, I really enjoyed her books and she based them on her mother's experience...what on earth WAS the name of that series, I remember the retirement center was called "XX sur mer?" Those were good.
But you were right, it's a super book when the world is crashing around. I really like it.
Salan, I do hope that you get better, am distressed to hear that infection is still present with all that surgery!! {{{HUGS}}} I know that hurts.
Call for the Official Books Chicken Soup!
(http://seniorlearn.org/latin/graphics/chickenssoup75.GIF)
Get well soon!!
-
Yes, Salan, i hope you will be healing soon. I hope you have a stack of good books by you. :)
Ginny, i think there is only one more of the "Jane Austin......." books. Altho there is a "Jessie Kaplan......." that is set in Cherry Hill. Check out the website above.
You lived across from the Community House? Now i will think of you each time i drive down Main St. You probably know there has been a "new" library since the 60's and they about to built another new one, a replacement of the last "new" one. LOL. The 60's "new" one i've been using was designed by some hotsey-totsey architect who had a lot of awards, but it has been leaking and the HVAC system has been a mess ever since i started using it in the 70's.!!! There was a fire in the Town Hall across the parking lot - designed by the same architect - about two years ago, so they are going to build a new complex on the same spot - the 2nd St and Church St corner, where you went to high school, i assume.
-
Oh no, I'll have to look at her website but let me first finish this one, such a nice fun leiseruly read.
Yes if you go in the front of the Community House and go out the back past the tennis courts? When you stop and look before entering the street if you did not turn on the road but drove straight ahead you'd crash into the house my father built (the white one).
-
My library does not have the Paula Cohen book. On Amazon UK it has one very short 5* review by someone who has never posted anything else - this always makes me a bit suspicious (I was recently asked to review a book that was so badly written I couldn't get past the first 100 pages [there were 700+!] - when I looked on Amazon it had at least 10 one-line 5* reviews by people who, strangely ;) , had never reviewed anything else...)
If, however, you ladies think it's worth reading, I might just buy it - Amazon UK has it used for £0.01 + £2.80 postage. What do you think? I must say it sounds fun. I didn't even know there was such a thing as a 'kosher resort' - there are very few Jewish people in Eastern Scotland. I once worked in Finchley, N London, which is a very Jewish area - it was absolutely fascinating as it was a lifestyle that I had never encountered before. I loved seeing all the bakeries, etc, and the way that families did so much together. I may already have mentioned that there was a recent TV programme here about Jewish families living an Orthodox life in Manchester - the main speaker was a very interesting and entertaining woman. She was married and had at least 3 grown up sons, all still living at home. She was quick to point out that although she had a full-time job, she was still expected to do all the domestic chores - the men did nothing (of course this is true in many non-Jewish homes too...) She also explained many of the Orthodox rituals, such as the women having to go to the special baths after menstruation before they could resume intercourse. All very interesting to someone who was brought up in an exclusively Church of England society (with a few Roman Catholics, of whom we were all jealous because they got out of Religious Education at school...)
Rosemary
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
The Catskills used to have many Jewish resorts. We went to the Concord many years ago for a weekend.Very structured and busy. Am not sure they have that many any more, but the area around Miami used to be well known for its jewish retirement centers, again with all of the Cubans in that area, not sure how many of them are still around.
-
Rosemary, I would not, at this point anyway, for my recommendation.
I'm just not that far into it yet and it may turn out as Jean described earlier. Oh you would find the Catskill Resorts culture intriguing. What memories i have of that huge Lakehouse in the tradition of the Catskill resorts!
You're right, Steph, the Concord! Grossingers! There was another one I can't think of. Grossingers was the biggest, (didn't Elizabeth Taylor have a honeymoon there?) The Concord the second in rank. Tennannah Lake House was residential, not the glitz and glamor the other two showed. I couldn't remember any other names but somebody in the comments on the link below page did: Kutshers. We went there, too. Apparently it's the only one left!! Tennannah Lakehouse is no more, it turned into an ashram, of all things. But the way of life there was something to behold.
The Jane Austen in Boca is not about the Borscht Belt which is what Tennannah Lake House was part of.
The Borscht Belt was a place of Jewish resorts where families would go for years and years and years and spend the summer, whole families, in the cool Catskills. Tremendously expensive. Comedians musicians singers would try out their routines there. Many famous acts would come there in the summer. Comedians would hone their improv acts. Famous golfers would play on the courses. In the Tennannah Lake House attics where the staff would be parked, this was in '64, the little room had no closet and rented out for $128 per day. That was a lot in those days for a dormer room with no closet.
And many famous celebrities would also come in the summer. And families would greet each other on the wide porch as if they were next-door neighbors, and catch up with the children and grandchildren. It was something unique, I think.
I've seen many things at Grossinger's. I still don't see that word without remembering how it sounded: the second g is hard. Gross in GRRRs. At the Concord. And at Tennannah Lake House, which was the least of, perhaps not even considered part, of the three. No flash no glitz, nice mountain huge lodge and other new wing, lake, boating, etc. There were more than 3 of these places, (In Edit: the link says there were 1,100!!! And the stats alone for Grossingers, in this link are astounding.) I am very sad to see Grossingers abandoned along with The Concord. I always thought one day I'd go back and stay as a guest at Tennannah Lake House, hahaha. So sorry to see all that go. I'm not sure what stopped the tradition, probably airfare and Florida. It was owned by a Paley. A brother of the famous family--remember Babe Paley of Truman Capote fame? The Tonight Show band or orchestra used to be there in the summer, i have no idea why, but they shared the same attic rooms. They were nice people as I recall, with somewhat odd habits, but I was 18.
I remember the cooks and Asian staff sitting out in the dark into the wee hours playing mah-jongg. It didn't look like any mah jongg I had ever seen.
Here's a wonderful link to the abandoned resorts of the Catskill Mountains and I haven't had a chance to read it all, because I'm in the parking lot dictating this to Siri waiting for my grandson to come he left his book bag at home, But the article starts out absolutely accurately about what it was like.
http://www.terrastories.com/bearings/abandoned-catskills-hotels
-
Oh here we go, I've been spelling Tennannah wrong there's only one n in the 2nd syllable: Tennanah.
From: http://www.tennanah.com/tennanah_lake_history.html
History of Tennanah Lake
In 1858, Anthony Wolff purchased 180 acres of farmland near Long Pond in northwestern Sullivan County. Farming was a tough life, and like many farmers in the county, by the 1890's the Wolff family had begun taking in summer boarders to supplement their income.
These farmers-turned-inkeepers offered their summertime guests fresh milk and vegetables, clean spring water, and relief from the oppressive heat of the crowded city. As the new century dawned, several hundred farmhouses, boarding houses and small hotels offered accommodations for 23,000 tourists countywide. Sullivan County had entered into an era of economic prosperity based almost exclusively on this tourism industry: The Silver Age.
By 1907, Long Pond had become known as Tennanah Lake, the Wolffs had expanded the original farmhouse to accommodate 80 guests, and catering to these "vacationists", as they were known, supplementing their income with farming. But they still needed more room, and in 1910, Peter Wolff financed the construction of a magnificent new building that would serve as the center of the Tennanah Lake House as it continued to grow over the next few decades.
By this time it was no longer enough to offer guests fleeing the intense heat of the city shaded lawns and fresh food. So, shortly after the new building was completed, Wolff constructed a nine hole golf course for his guests. By 1935, the tourism industry in Sullivan County had changed - large, well-equipped and feature-laden hotels had replaced the farmhouses and boarding houses of the earlier era - and the Tennanah Lake House had changed, as well. With Sullivan County poised to enter into its Golden Age, the Wolff's 400 acre resort had expanded to accommodate 500, and offered "tennis, boating, baseball, fishing, horseback riding on 8 miles of bridle paths through virgin forests and motoring" in addition to golf. The Tennanah Lake House also boasted the largest hotel Bird Sanctuary in the world - comprising hundreds of birdhouses and thousands of birds of all varieties - and had its own theatre.
In 1952, the nine hole golf course was redesigned by the legendary Sam Snead and expanded to 18 holes. Six of the original nine holes were utilized in the design. Snead was in the midst of one of his most productive years, which produced five tournament wins, including his second Masters Championship.
The present course is very much the way Slammin' Sammy conceived it. It is one of just a handful of courses he designed, and it is the oldest golf course operating in Sullivan County today.
John Conway, Sullivan County Historian
For more on the history of the surrounding area, and all it has to offer Tennanah Lake Golf and Tennis Club guests, visit the Sullivan County Website.
Oh yes and Slammin' Sammy Snead, I saw him play, but at Grossingers. No hint of the Paleys, tho. Ah nostalgia. :)
Oh wow and I have found the actual house as it was in another book: (http://seniorlearn.org/latin/graphics/TennanahLakeHouse.jpg)
Thank you Rosemary for expressing interest, so I could indulge myself in this wonderful nostalgia. :)
PS: Here's another one to give you the idea of the size of these things. This one, the Sha Wan Ga Lodge, (http://seniorlearn.org/latin/graphics/Catskillshotel.jpg) was the first one to be owned by Jewish proprietors and to observe Dietary Laws. There is actually a lot of history here that I did not realize. I had no idea of the antisemitism in the hotel industry in this country before this era, but this link will take you to a book which describes everything in great detail: Catskill Hotels By Irwin Richman (http://books.google.com/books?id=5xs5BV92J40C&pg=PA47&lpg=PA47&dq=What+ever+happened+to+Tennanah+\Lake+House?&source=bl&ots=vdinD5JZVB&sig=BTTNueDuTvK7rk8o6ZOWuhk4GnY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=u0lxUfi1DtOq4APoooCgCg&ved=0CEMQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=What%20ever%20happened%20to%20Tennanah%20\Lake%20House%3F&f=false) The photographs of people on the porches and so forth are fascinating, a slice out of history.
-
What a shame, Ginny. The indoor pool at Grossingers still looks fabulous in its decline. I can imagine what it looked like when it was at its height of popularity. Can't say that the dining room looked as charming though.
-
Oh Wow, Ginny, thank you so much for all that fascinating social history - these are the sort of things that I love finding out about, - semi-forgotten history, so much more interesting (to me) than battles and kings & queens.
When I was writing memoir for my OU course last year, I looked up some websites re the holiday camps we used to go to when I was a small child. They were so interesting, and people had posted all sorts of memories - my mother absolutely loathed those holidays and I don't have very happy memories of them myself, but many families, it seems, went to the same places year after year and had a marvellous time. Despite the fact that my family didn't really enjoy themselves (they weren't v good at that!) I loved reading all about the fun that other people had there, and so many of the little details reminded me of just what it had been like.
Thanks again, I'm going to re-read it all tonight.
Rosemary
-
I spent one night of my life, and only that one, at a resort in the Catskills. The one I stayed in was a vacation place for Italians coming from the big cities of the east coast region. A travel agent had booked me in there just as a convenient place to stay when going from Lake Placid to Annapolis. She knew I hated interstate motels and loved the mountains. My granddaughter, then 8 years old, and I were mesmerized by the extremely different, to us, culture and food at dinner that night! We were definitely fish out of water!
But for me, there is nothing so fascinating as reading in detail of how other cultures live from dawn to bedtime. The Native Americans, the Amish, the Jewish (and they can differ a lot by country!), the Italians, the Irish (much closer to home!), and so on and on. Rosemary, we feed in the same streams!
-
Wow Ginny, seeing those pictures was wonderful! The buildings (some of them) remind me of the Hotel in "Somewhere in Time" and makes me think, too, of the resort in "Dirty Dancing".
-
I think that one of the reasons that the Jewish people had their own clubs, hotels, many schools, was that in the USA they were not welcome in many organizations. I remember the town I first came to in US. They could not join the country Club. Play on the private golf course. Now I believe on owns both places.
It was usual for them to live in the same areas as they wanted their schools to be a little different. Their places of prayer were usually built in one area. Could get all Kosher foods without having to go far. Theatre plays in Yiddish which many still liked to speak. Something about being amongst your own people that is found comfortable. I always wished there were British people living by me. I did finely get a British woman's club up abut 10 miles from me where there was a large Airforce base. Lots of British women whose husbands were in the Airforce lived there. This was in the 60s. Now its gone. Meet a few at the University once in awhile but no clubs as such.
Now that the young have gotten away from Orthodox into more modern thinking lots have changed their thinking. Mixed in everywhere. That is way it should be.
No rules in the town I live in now. First we had a Black Section. Now very few of them left. they buy where ever they can afford without a problem.
Still have large areas where they built apartments strictly for the people being helped along. Some are really nice but seem to get torn up really fast. A few areas are now being taken over and turning into Black areas. They to like to live all together.
-
The wildest thing about our long weekend in Concord was mealtime..Strictly kosher of course and at our assigned ( yes assigned) table, we had a very young jewish couple, very conservative.. The first night at dinner, they bring you a menu and all the rest of us ordered. The young groom looked at the waiter and said..EVERYTHING for his main course and they did just that. and he tasted every single dish.. Amazing.. We had an interracial couple at our table as well. The woman was really lovely and black.. Since Diahne Carroll was the headliner that weekend, every one seemed to assume that this woman was her.. Not true, but I guess the black threw them off.. Oh, the wine tasting was at 10 in the morning.. A sort of different time for that sort of thing.
-
Probably the last time in his life he got everything, eh? hahahaa
I love all the comments here and I have to say I have gone off the deep end, I did not know I was part of history but now that I do I have become fascinated by the time and area. I've ordered three books (people wrote BOOKS on this?), one of which was It Happened in the Catskills: An Oral History in the Words of Busboys, Bellhops, Guests, Proprietors, Comedians, Agents, and Others Who Lived It (Excelsior Editions)
Ho, they didn't interview me~! hahahhaa THAT one, I can assure anybody, will be an eye opener. hahahaa
I ordered Growing up at Grossingers, and the Richman book in gratitude to him for bringing this all up. He appears to be fascinated by things abandoned: roller coasters, etc. There's also a VHS film on Things That Aren't There Any More, which I got years ago because it was on Willow Grove Park, an old amusement park out of Philly. MAN o MAN, one now feels older than Methuselah.
Kutshers is still going but the reviews are absolutely terrible, people saying it's stuck in time and they've done nothing in 50 years. (If was never a Grossingers or even Concord to begin with). I am afraid to go stay there because of what I might see. What we thought was innovative in the 50's and 60's is definitely not, now.
Continuing on happily and slowly with Boca, the Yiddish expressions are flying like snow. Some of them I recall, some of them I don't or want to refresh my memory on, I looked up macher this morning as I haven't heard that in 50 years and I found a cute little Yiddish dictionary online from (this IS the internet after all) a man who does not speak Yiddish BUT whose grandparents do and he's got a lot of the ones I remember: http://www.asinine.com/essays/yiddish.html
A couple I need are not there so I'll keep looking.
So far it's a lovely slow thing (sort of like life in a retirement center) but with little frissons of excitement. And perhaps it's getting quite real. I still don't see the Jane Austen connection and am beginning to worry that I need to reread Austen. Meanwhile (there IS a professor of English character who does teach Jane Austen) a new man has entered the scene, somewhat mysterious, lots of matchmaking, I am half way thru and still like it. It's still light, it's still fun but it's taking in overtones now of something more real, and that's interesting, too. So far, so good.
In the meantime I read a biography of Dean Martin, who had very humble beginnings and who was a failure at school, and it said that he was never impressed or intimidated by any person he ever met. I think that's interesting.
-
I'm very sorry to report that Judy Laird's (the discussion leader of this discussion) husband Don has died after a series of serious illnesses.
Our sympathy to Judy in this great loss, I am very sorry.
-
Very sorry to hear that Ginny.
I send my sincere condolences to Judy.
Rosemary
-
so sorry to hear this. Prayers and good thoughts to Judy.
-
My sympathy to Judy and her Family.
-
Sorry to hear about your loss Judy. Hugs and sympathy to you and your family.
-
Ginny: thanks for that Yiddish list. It really took me back, since my husband used many of those expressions. I'll have to get "jane Austen in Boca". (I'll bet the plot turns out to be a rerun of Pride and Prejudice")
Do you know "The Joys of Yiddish" by Leo Rosten?
-
Wasn't it these camps that was the scene for that movie with Patrick Swayze he is an older camp councilor and she is there with her parents and either he teaches her to dance or create a dance for a talent show or maybe it was a competition any how they have a doomed love affair - I think she gets her first kiss. Talk about 20 questions I cannot remember the name of the movie or the set which I thought was one of the camps that Ginny is remembering.
-
"Dirty Dancing"
-
:D ;D ::) :-* :D ;) YES!!!
-
Condolences to Judy and all her family.
-
Judy, deepest sympathy.
-
Judy, my sympathy and prayers are with you.
-
So sorry to hear about your husband Judy. I hope you have family and friends nearby to grieve with you and support you.
Dirty Dancing! One of the top ten "music" movies, of course, having Patrick in it was very helpful in my coming to that opinion! ;D
Jean
-
Oh Judy, I am so very sorry.. I wish I lived closer. If you start to travel again, I live in the summer in North Carolina and I would bet you would love it.. jUst let me know.
The Concord and other kosher hotels. Most of the really good comics all cut their teeth there. My husband was a New Yorker, so the Yiddish expressions were all over the place. As a new bride, from Delaware, it was like he was speaking in tongues, but I caught on and they are wonderful descriptive words..
I worked in a beach hotel summers in college. We lived on the fourth floor ( attic),no air,, no bathroom, no shower.. did Breakfast and dinner.. It was a family hotel, so cozy, but how we lived in the heat, etc is beyond me. Wehad to go down a flight for bathroom and shower. There were two types of rooms at the hotel.. with and without baths.. Cannot imagine, but know that once in Germany, we were on the American floor, but I heard an English woman at breakfast complain that the shower room was always booked on her floor, so some of the rooms had nothing, but a sink.
-
Steph, until quite recently many small hotels in the UK did not have en-suite rooms. Even now some B & Bs only have some rooms en-suite. I actually stayed in a hotel in Harvard last year in a room that didn't have a bathroom, but that was fine - there was one right opposite and no-one else seemed to use it.
If we ever stayed in a boarding house at the seaside in my childhood, we all had to take our dressing gowns and queue up to clean out teeth. If you wanted a bath they often used to charge you extra for the hot water.
I think the UK's attitude to baths/showers lagged behind the US for a long time. When I was a teenager my mother used to go nuts if I wanted a bath (we did not have a shower) more than twice a week. She used to tell me it would 'destroy all the natural oils on my skin', which translated as 'it costs good money to heat the water.' I used to wash every morning in the basin with cold water. My daughters now often seem to have two showers a day, and we just accept that as normal. How times change.
-
Except for the hotel in Edinburgh, all the hotels/bed and breakfasts we stayed at had the bathroom separate. In my Grandmum's house we could only draw hot water in the morning when she had the stove going. The hot water boiler was upstairs above the stove. Her gas line had a coin box type meter on it so when she wanted heat she had to put money in the box.
-
I just read the best book, entitled Me Before You, by JoJo Moyes.
I thought of my SeniorLearn friends while pondering these issues.
I can't remember who suggested it or why I chose this particular story but I really enjoyed it and ordered her other book, as well.
The bottom line of this story is love and loss.
"What do you do when making the person you love happy means breaking your own heart?"
It is an easy read, yet a profound message resonates for each one of us.
-
ANDY!!! Great to see you posting!
jane
-
It's great to remember how to post, Jane. Thank you. ::)
-
Ginny, I lived at the foot of the Catskills where I raised my children.
I spent many an evening at these various resorts as I had a pianist friend who worked the circuit and I could attend these galas with his wife for nothing.
The pictures that you posted brought back many fond memories and sentiments I have long forgotten. Thank you.
It always stirkes me how often we go round and around and yet come back to our roots, in one way or another.
-
" My daughters now often seem to have two showers a day, and we just accept that as normal. How times change."
I think we get dirtier now! I remember as a child, washing hair once a week was fine: now, no way! Dids our standards change, or the amount of dirt we pick up from our polluted air?
Hi, Alf! Good to see you.
I've started Jane Austen in Boca. Love it so far!
-
HI, Alf. Glad to see you back again.
I think we get dirtier now! I remember as a child, washing hair once a week was fine: now, no way! Dids our standards change, or the amount of dirt we pick up from our polluted air?
Mostly, I think JoanK, it is all in the marketing. Create a product and to sell it you must create a demand for it. There are some things, though, that just sell themselves. When it became easier to fill the bathtub with hot water (indoor plumbing and hot water heaters), the marketers set to work creating a bigger demand for their soap products. Oh yes, cleanliness is next to godliness and suppression of perspiration (smell), fresher breath and whiter teeth, etc., will get you your guy/gal, make you feel great, and is more healthy. And so it goes. Electronics has gone wild with new innovations and programming . No sooner than you have bought a computer/cell phone/tablet they are out with a newer whiz bang machine that everyone just has to have. It feeds on itself.
-
Well, people DID used to smell pretty bad. Remember the tradition that brides got married in June because everyone waited for warmer weather to take their ONE BATH A YEAR in May or June.
Another thing,
it was not until the 20th century that scientists discovered it is the bacteria feeding on the food in our mouths, especially overnight in our sleep. that causes tooth decay. Just brushing them well outta there before we go to bed and not eating or drinking anything more than water before morning will cut down on 75% of cavities! Who knew? My daddy used to have me brush my teeth and get on my Doctor Dentons and then give me a piece of candy for being a good girl. I would suck on that piece of hard candy while he read me a bedtime story: usually Brer Rabbit. Then off to bed, sometimes still sucking on what was left of the candy! Whew! Those bacteria did a job on me, and cost my daddy a packet of money putting silver and gold in the holes they made in my teeth!
And it was 20th century scientists who found many different kinds of bacteria in us and on us; all living in colonies on or in different parts of our bodies. And it is their poop that makes us stink! And it is easily washed off us with suds and water. Hence the daily shower with, say, a bar of DOVE soap scours off the piled up poop from those bazillions of bacteria until we start carrying a load of it through the hours until our NEXT shower.
-
It is funny, how things change. My mother in law went to the hairdresser every other week and never ever washed her hair inbetween. She also preferred two showers a week since she was convinced she had delicate skin that hated water.
When I was little and visited my city grandparents, you had to feed the gas water heater in the bathroom to take your baths..
Andy,, how wonderful, I have missed seeing your comments and the interesting books you read.
Closed on the new house,, then proceeded to the new house..The old owner is not a nice person.She left me a mess in the garage. Boxes everywhere, some food in the fridge, decorations on the walls. I am not even the tiniest bit amused.
-
Oh yuk, Steph - that is exactly what you don't need in a new house. I've always cleaned any house we've sold obsessively, and I must say any house we have bought has been left pristine clean. Can you get cleaners in to sort it out for you?
Rosemary
-
You will be fine, Steph. You never gave yourself the credit you deserve for your strength of character and soul. Are you still in Clermont?
-
Oh there's ANDREA!! Welcome back, Andrea!!! Where have you BEEN?
Oh you, too, at the Catskills? Did you realize we are now history because of it and that the great hotels aren't there any more? It's amazing how many of us got in free, it does make one wonder who paid, doesn't it? I can remember going to both Grossingers and the Concord free.
Am still in Boca, the book, and enjoying it also, but I did hit a snag last night in the conversation at the dance about May's gardening advice. Apparently Cohen is not a gardener, I never heard irises referred to as "delicate plants" before, but otherwise she's right on course. That whole conversation was kind of ridiculous between Stan and May on "gardening," which he's supposed to be passionate about and her advice is inane. Otherwise it's getting interesting. Absolutely NOTHING is happening, nothing whatsoever, but I'm really enjoying it and the pace. And what, Joan K, do you think of MEL??!!
So far so good. I like comedies of manners if this is what this is. Very little happens there, either. Thinking of EF Benson, now. I don't think this is thought of as comedic however, but it sure rings true to the culture I saw at the Catskills.
I was reading last night the horrific reviews of Kutchers, going back to 2009, the place is something apparently out of the Shining but nastier, apparently it's really a dump. Be that as it may, several people mentioned the swimming pool restrictions and I have not seen THAT in years. (Men's swimming times, women's swimming times and the two don't mix, apparently).
I haven't seen that in YEARS, and it brings back so many memories. I'd like to walk thru Kutchers again for the history but by the sound of it, I couldn't stay in one place 5 minutes.
Stephanie, that's awful. Was there some reason she had to leave it in that state? Sudden illness, etc.? Apparently it's owned by the owner, I'm surprised a management would allow it to be left in that shape, that's terrible! Sorry! Hope this doesn't put a damper on your new move.
-
What a shame, Steph. I'm so sorry. Sounds like it might be time to call in one of the maid services for a few hours.
On our recent small boat trip (90 passengers max, 63 on our trip), each bathroom had its own water heater. HOWEVER, it held only five gallons. That's really enough - IF you don't leave the water running the whole time you're in the shower. Funny!
I've just gotten Edward Rutherfurd's latest, Paris. I had preordered it, and got the notice this morning that it was on the e-reader. :D
-
Ginny and Joan - so glad you are enjoying "JA in Bocco". As i said, it was just what i needed in a jam-packed two weeks of activities. On my next trip to the library i'm going to pick up "JA in Scarsdale." that should be fun. By the way, her "Much Ado About Jessca Kaplan" is set in Cherry Hill - for those of you familiar with south Jersey. Sounds like it's witty and fun also. That's also on my tbr list.
"Gramercy Park" by the other Paula Cohen was also a unique read for me. As i said, it's written in what i would call "Victorian-novel" style. It almost put me off, but i perservered and got caught up in what this young woman's past experience was all about. I was pretty sure how it would end, being a Victorian novel, :) but had to keep reading to see exactly how the author would handle it - and i was not disappointed. She has several more books also - more books on the TBR list!
http://www.amazon.com/Gramercy-Park-Paula-Cohen/dp/031230997X
Cohens seem to have an affinity to naming their daughters Paula and to encourage them to write - ??? I just found another one on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Bok-Dysfunctional-Paula-H-Cohen/dp/1480146625/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366729377&sr=1-7
Bok - Memoir of a Dysfunction Dog!?! That sounds like a great book for my friend Janet who primarily reads books about animals, especially dogs. LOL
ALF - so glad you're back with us!
Steph - how awful and rude of the previous owner! And what a downer for you after being so excited about a new home, pooh!
Jean
-
Edward Rutherfurd in Paris, sounds like our next book dscussion!
Jean
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Wheesh. Am really behind here. Two of my girls were here for a long weekend -- from New York and Seattle, and we just hung out and talked, talked, talked.
I should have taken notes here, (but have to get in the shower soon for the [daily] wash. Am definitely going to look for the Paula Cohen books. Jane Austen in Boco sounds really good.
What I also definitely want to at least look at, Steph and PatH, before i throw it at the wall, is the one about the whiny woman with the hearing aids and cochlear implant. I would love a cochlear implant and was ready to get about about seven or eight years ago, had all the tests, etc. but also have a complication with artificial heart valve and coumadin and the surgeon was not inclined to do it. "Ask yourself how you'll feel when you have a stroke and are a vegetable the rest of your life. Besides, you can still hear." uh huh. Sort of. So, I love my aids and assorted assistive devices. WHAT IS THE TITLE OF THE BOOK?
-
GINNY: I was right: the plot of JA in Boca is straight "Pride and Prejudice." I think I have identified most of the characters with their Austen equivelants.
Will JA in Scarsdale be Persuasion? Sense and Sensability? I'll have to read it to find out.
I haven't gotten to the garden discussion yet. But I'm not a gardiner, so it'll go over my head. Mel shows up just in time to be the appropriate "Pride and Prejudice" figure.
-
For mabel1015j (and all of us women and inveterate readers): A must read is "The End of Your Life Book Club" by Will Schwalbe. His mother is an assertive woman who has done things with her life, for others, that simply boggle the mind. But at the same time she is a caring and sensitive person to everyone she meets. It is heart-rending as she battles her pancreatic cancer, but never loses her spirit, her kindness, thoughtfulness. As she and her son, Will, travel this road together, through their two-person "book club", they form a bond that, although it existed previously, is changed, deepened, as he learns more about her through the books they read together. Mary Anne Schwalbe, a woman for all seasons, exhibiting bravery above and beyond the call of duty. I would urge you to read this. In a six page Appendix, Will lists all the books and writers that appeared in this glorious book, and we should be thankful if we have read just a few of them.
-
There seems to be a couple as owners of the house, but he has never appeared, just a power of attorney.. She is only moving to Orlando, 25 miles away. She just kept giving excuses at the closing. With my schedule and the furniture getting picked up onFriday and my house closing on my own house on Monday, I am nailed. Brought back a bunch of stuff yesterday and will put it out for Friday collection.. I still need this horrible arrangement on top of the kitchen cabinets to be taken away and a very very large object called a dock box out of the garage. No time for a maid.. the floors are clean,etc, it is just the garage that is the mess.. and stuff in the kitchen. I thinkshe moved and had a maid service come in and they messed up on the cabinet things and the fridge stuff. But the garage is a disgrace..I always leave my houses clean and tidy.. After the furniture guys leave n Friday, on Saturday I will come back and do the floors. I clean as I pack, so the fridge, stove, cabinets, mirrors are all done as I finish the room.
I feel very proud. Went to the cardio doctor yesterday for the evaluation after all the tests. He said I have excellent cardio vascular health.. To keep up the exercise and walking and come see him in 10 years.. Then he laughed and said he was sure the pain on my right side was a muscle pull, but it was fun meeting me. How nice from a young doctor..
-
Definitely busy week for you, Steph. Hugs!
-
Tome - i read "End if Your Life......" w/ the discussion here.
-
I'm so sorry...I hadn't realized it was discussed here. How'd I miss that? I would assume it is archived, so I'll go back and see the input.
I really, really loved the book.
-
A quote from Helen Simonson, from her post on Facebook -- after a trip to Sussex.
Came home with a suitcase of teabags and a lot of good research for my second novel-in-progress. Happy spring to all.
I'm looking forward to her second novel, especially if it's as good as Major Pettigrew's Last Stand.
Tomereader, sorry you missed the discussion of Will Schwalbe's book, but you're right, it's definitely a must read. And things still pop up about it. Remember her concern about the journalist David Rohde, who had been kidnapped by the Taliban? He was on Morning Joe today talking about his new book, Beyond War.
-
I have gotten three books now on the Catskill Mountain Resorts, and each one is better than the last. The Richman is really good. It reveals that that photo I put up about the Tennannah Lake House is actually the Sunset Lodge at the Tennanah Lake House and burned down in the 30's. There seem no photos of the larger (!) Tennanah Lake House, it's gone. Like a memory.
The last of the books called it Happened in the Catskills, however, is full of documentation by the bus boys and valets, etc. and it's a treasure. It also mentions another one I had forgotten: the Nevele. Just seeing that name brings back a world of memories.
In case anybody thinks that the people here are exaggerating the celebrities who attended these places, here is a partial l list, it's alphabetical, of the names I recognize, perhaps you know some of them too?
Joey Adams
Muhammad Ali
Woody Allen
Morey Amsterdam
Andrews Sisters
Paul Anka
Pearl Bailey
Lucille Ball
Gene Barry
William Bendix
Tony Bennett
Milton Berle
Leonard Bernstein
Lenny Bruce
Yul Brynner
Red Buttons
Sid Caesar
Sammy Cahn
Eddie Cantor
Vikki Carr
Wilt Chamberlain
Ezzard Charles
Ray Charles
Maurice Chevalier
Winston Churchill
Irving Cohen
Perry Como
Bill Cosby
Buster Crabbe
Billy Crystal
Vic Damone
Rodney Dangerfield
Sammy Davis Jr.
Doris Day
Marlene Dietrich
Joe DiMaggio
Jimmy Durante
Billy Eckstine
Totie Fields
Arthur Fielder
Eddie Fisher
Errol Flynn
Phil Foster
Connie Francis
Judy Garland
Mitzi Gaynor
Jackie Gleason
Robert Goulet
Cary Grant
Joel Grey
Buddy Hackett
Moss Hart
Peter Lind Hayes
Mary Healy
Charlton Heston
Hines, Hines, and Dad
Bob Hope
Lena Horne
Julio Iglesias
Georgie Jessel
Lyndon Johnson
Danny Kaye
Bobby Kennedy
Diane Keaton
Alan King
Henry Kissinger
Ralph Lauren
Jerry Lewis
Liberace
Jayne Mansfield
Rocky Marciano
Dean Martin
Tony Martin
Jackie Mason
Willie Mays
Anne Meara
Robret Merrill
Bette Midler
Liza Minelli
Zero Mostel
Edward R. Murrow
Bess Meyerson
Clifford Odets
Robert Parker
Suzanne Pleshette
Elvis Presley
Juliet Prowse
Tito Puent4e
Debbie Reynolds
Buddy Rich
Don Rickles
Ritz Brothers
Chita Rivera
Jackie Robinson
Sugar Ray Robinson
Happy Rockefeller
Nelson Rockefeller
Rolling Stones
Led Zeppelin
Eleanor Roosevelt
Pete Rose
Lillian Roth
Nipsey Russell
Telly Savalas
Neil Sadaka
Phil Silvers
Frank Sinatra'
Red Skelton
Sam Snead
George Steinbrenner
Jerry Stiller
Leopold Stokowski
Ed Sullivan
Three Stooges
Donald Trump
Sophie Tucker
Leslie Uggams
Jerry Vale
Bobby Vinton
Lawrence Welk
Woodrow Wilson
Henny Youngman
Babe Didrikson Zaharias
That was some place, once upon a time. :)
-
Well, if Davis, Jr., Sinatra and Martin were there, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford must have been around somewhere.
Speaking of---- I just found out that they were not the original Rat Pack. The original included Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Lauren Bacall, Sid Luft, Humphrey Bogart, Swifty Lazar, Nathaniel Benchley, David Niven, Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, George Cukor, Cary Grant, Rex Harrison, and Jimmy Van Heusen. Now that was a big colony of rats.
-
David Niven? I'm amazed!
-
Pedlin, the hearing book is packed, but as soonas I get in the new house and unpack, will get it up here. It is a very odd book, since so much of it concerns how very very hard she tried to conceal her hearing problems. She simply did not want to appear old, which strikes me as foolishness.
-
Sid Luft was there. :)
I left off a lot of people that I thought perhaps nobody would know. Let's rephrase that, whom I did not know. hahahaa That's better.
JoanK, really? Pride and Prejudice? I told you I was too ignorant to read that book, I'm amazed!
I guess I need to get out Pride and Prejudice again. I am really enjoying Boca. She's right, too, when she says time at a retirement center moves differently than it does elsewhere. I think that's true of aging, too. She's not a gardener but she's got a lot of great things to say. MEL, however, is ringing all kinds of bells with me. Really enjoying the book, so far and won't spoil it for others.
You can put it down, you can pick it back up, and still enjoy it with a lot going on in your own life, just like Mabel (Jean) said.
Maybe you would like it, after all, Rosemary, :)
-
I thought Shirley McClain was part of the original rat pack, but maybe she came later.
I'm not going to comment about Mel, i don't want to spoil anything for those of you reading at the moment or later. :)
Are you watching the dedication of the George W. Bush Library? It's wonderful to see all the past presidents and their wives together. I believe George W may be becoming as sentimental as his father, he seemed to be swallowing tears when Laura made her statements about him. And how nice to see Barbara Bush and Barack Obama chuckling together. Condolezza Rice did a yeowoman's job pronoucing all those foreign leaders names. I would have declined that job! ;D. The former presidents are starting to speak, this should be interesting.
-
We've sent Judy a card from all of us at SeniorLearn. If you would like to have her address to send her a personal note, email me and we'll send it on to you. Difficult time for Judy.
-
Catskills -- the movie "Dirty Dancing" was set in a resort in the Catskills. The card games, contests, performances by guests, dances. One of my favorite actors Jerry Orbach of Law and Order fame.
-
Shirley MacLaine was associated with the 1960's version of the Rat Pack as were several other actresses, including Angie Dickenson. The 60s version of the Rat Pack is the one I remember. According to Wikipedia this newer version never called themselves Rat Pack; they called themselves The Summit or The Clan. The press and "outsiders" called them Rat Pack.
I was thinking of reading The Misremembered Man by Christina McKenna. It looks interesting, but some of the reviewers say there is a lot of profanity in the book that spoiled it somewhat for them.
-
Most people are right when they say that we bath to often and shampoo way to much.
Hard to break the habbit...Just jump out of bed, into shower hair and everything. If you have hard water it is hard on skin.
Now In Uk. Ireland and even got it in France. I love the hotels that do not have your own bath. Just toilet and sink. They spoil me. You give a time for you bath. They run the water. Heat the towels. Some even have a heated bathrobe ready and waiting. Found one in Wales just a couple years ago. Great.
-
I am the opposite, I want my shower in my room. some B and B's have it down the hall. and I do hate walking down the hall in a strange place in my bathrobe.
-
We once booked into what turned out to be a ghastly hotel in Aberdeen (before we moved there) - the room description said 'room with shower' - and that's what it turned out to be, a room in the middle of which was one of those plastic freestanding shower cubicles. No wash-hand basin, no loo. Dreadful. Welcome to Aberdeen, where even the tackiest boarding house can get away with charging horrendous prices, thanks to the oil industry effect.
Rosemary
-
hahaha! Love it!
I can sing the song of "authentic" English places to stay, B&B's, self catering, all such an adventure, but the shower room of Aberdeen beats them all. hahahaa
I came in to say I finished Boca and enjoyed it, I wish there were a sequel (is there, Mabel?) because you find yourself caring for the protagonists and wanting to see what happens to them. I did download Pride and Prejudice and for some reason can't read it in e format. I have a terrible time reading fiction on an ereader, I don't know what it is, I want that book and that feel of a book.
The only thing I can read on an e reader is non fiction. I can't understand why.
At any rate, thwarted with Pride and Prejudice, (I'll pick one up Thursday when I go to B&N) I am reading Debbie Reynold's Unsinkable biography and a life (the unauthorized life) of Liberace, which is coming out as a film on HBO. I did not know he was a twin. Like Elvis Presley the other twin died, this one was stillborn while Liberace was 13 pounds!
Imagine!
I watched some HBO footage of Liberace, in fact I watched many of his bits on YouTube. I can see what the fascination was for him, especially among elderly women: he was handsome, sweet, and talented. Very talented. Paderewski is mentioned more than once, sort of his mentor. It's actually fascinating. How could anybody tho have not known he was gay? I guess back then it wasn't something spoken of much.
He played a Bluthner grand piano, their prices are available on the internet. The Grands start at somewhere around $50,000 and go up to over 115,000. I don't believe other than on the film of him, I've ever heard one.
-
Rosemary, I know you know Cambridge. I have an adult student who is going there this summer with her husband, a professor, and has asked me for recommendations on accommodations. She's been given a list of hostels but says actually she would like a few mod cons, (they really are travelers and spend half the year in Australia where he's from) and I thought to ask you, as I have visited but not stayed in Cambridge, and really know nothing about it. Is there a place to stay there which you would recommend?
-
Ginny - I haven't ever stayed in a hotel there - on our most recent visit we booked guest rooms in my old college - not luxurious, but fun for the girls. I will investigate - I'm sure there are some very nice places there now. My husband has some good old friends who still live there, so they should be able to advise, and I'll get back to you asap.
I hope they're not going in graduation week, as the place will be packed to the gills.
Rosemary
-
Ginny - re Liberace, don't you think all those middle-aged lady fans of his knew full well he was gay? I think many middle-aged women like men like him because they are usually very nice to them (the gay men to the women, that is) but there is no threat of sexual involvement or harassment.
Reminds me of a line in one of Alan Bennett's books - he said that when older ladies say, of their dear departed husbands, 'he was kind', they mean 'he didn't press me for sex.' I don't know if that's true!
Rosemary
-
I think when David & I stayed in Cambridge in 1971, the place was called The Blue Boar. But maybe that was just a place we ate and I remember the name. The journal I kept is in my granddaughter's hands for posterity, so cannot tell you for sure. Besides, that was a very long time ago!
Whatever, we did adore Cambridge. I associate it with wonderful bookstores, too. Bought simply heaps of books while we were in Britain, and had them all sent to me. Every single one of them arrived safe and sound. Are they still such excellent shopkeepers there in the UK?
As for Liberace, never liked him much, but was fascinated with his swishiness and his clothing.
As for "gay" men, I do entirely believe we women are usually attracted strongly to them as "safe" male friends. Know this is most certainly true of me. As the old, much quoted and hated line goes, "some of my best friends have been homosexuals!"
Well dang it anyway, it is true. True! True! True! And still is. So what is wrong with my saying that? Is it supposed to indicate I really have some sort of bias against them? Not so!
I almost always totally adore gay men. Every once in a while, you do meet one with a personality you cannot stand. Same as with any other group.
-
Oh thank you, Rosemary, that's very kind of you.
On Liberace, you may have it, he was more like a maven than a threatening man: he was sweet, he defined that outrageous costume thing for all time. .I watched the youtube where he comes out in his white fur, having worn it to visit the Queen, he was like an outre girlfriend, really, he reminds me of...Edna? Who is the male impersonator? Dame Edna, but much sweeter. He didn't impersonate anything tho, but himself.
Mr. Showmanship. I'm trying to think who did this type of act before Liberace, tho, like him? Was there anybody?
-
I wonder if he saw Mae West and said to himself, why not...!
-
Liberace... I always think..OVER THE TOP.. But I suspect he had great fun.
-
I heard a story about Liberace, but don't know that it is true or not. He grew up in Milwaukee and his parents were on welfare. So years later, when he was performing in Milwaukee his earnings were charged for the the welfare expenses, supposedly either by the city or the state.
-
A film is now in production about the life of Liberace. Michael Douglas will play the role.
-
I cannot see Michael Douglas as Lee.. That's different, Mr. Macho as Mr. Gay.. Oh well , movie star egos are sky high.
-
Well Michael Douglas does have the hair - ;) - but then maybe he will pull it off - the mark of a good actor is like Daniel Day Lewis caricaturization of Lincoln.
-
I did not think it was possible to charge a child for something the state gave his/or/her parents!
Good gosh, at that rate any one of us could be served to pay a bill for our parents taxes, stay in hospital, or ANYthing! I mean to say, mine are long time dead and gone, and owed no one, and never needed any handouts. BUT the principle here is, I thought no child could ever be held responsible for their parents debts or public welfare handouts.
-
I didn't think so either, MaryPage.
-
I just found this Milwaukee Journal article from 1982. You may have to do some page manuevering to see it all.
Liberace and welfare (http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19820723&id=B2oaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2CkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4906,1525940)
-
Holy cow! I wonder if it is still law and if there is a statute of limitations. I am assuming that since it was "family" assistance that this guy felt justified in requesting the money back, either that or he wanted some attention.
-
Sometimes I think green eyes get the better of some folks and they find a legal way to satisfy their concept of fairness regardless that a taxpayer is hoping welfare is more like a fish hook than a fish and finally they can point to someone who used the hook to become a cultural icon.
-
Amazing how things can reach out and bite you.. Finally got my dogs to at least consider this as home..But they are not happy campers just yet. Sigh.
-
I wonder if he went after the children of everyone who might have received some assistance in 1930 and the other years of the Depression? I can understand if the Dept. had tried to get back money from the parents, if they'd had the means...but I still can't believe it would be legal to demand it from the children.
EDIT:
I did an internet search and found that in 2011 in California they were going after children to pay for overpayment of welfare to parents...even if the child hadn't been born yet!
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2011/12/05/welfare-recipients-children-being-forced-to-make-parents-payments/
-
Now are you talking about Family being responsible for repaying what overpayment of welfare to Parents even if their children grown up and gone. I didn't think that could be done anymore than if grown children get over paid by welfare then their older parents can be made to reimburse the state.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
.
-
Yes...children forced to pay overpayment made to parents. See this link for the details:
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2011/12/05/welfare-recipients-children-being-forced-to-make-parents-payments/
-
You were not born yet?? and have to repay money your parents received.That is just flat out weird.
-
Now I do believe in this. If parents have been collecting some type of welfare . If they had a home and a car the value of these did not stop them from collecting. Well then they both die. I think that their assets, House,auto etc should have a Gov. lean against them and not go to grown up children to spend as they wish. I know of two families were their parents are getting lot of Gov. subsidised funds. (food, utilities, work done on house. Medicaid.) Things like that. On Disability not SSec. Yet.
-
That sort of ruling means you can be BORN in debt!
I, for one, am totally against making children responsible for the sins of their fathers. Or mothers. Or debts. Just not fair.
-
I agree MaryPage and along those lines we are I thought, trying to rehabilitate a prisoner and if a prisoner makes any money from their writing or art while in jail or by writing about their experience after they are released they must pay for the entire cost of their incarceration.
Where I have the greatest problem with this is not for a serious crime but for the many women who are incarcerated having finally stood up to domestic violence and not skilled it got out of hand so that she injures her abuser and because of low income she could not get adequate representation.
If prison life was fair and if the law was fair I could see a sliding scale but we want and expect the law to keep our communities safe and we are willing to pay to keep certain criminals off the street and we hope when they are released they have learned and bring greater skills to be a proud member of our community. To pay for their education beyond a high school diploma I can see but all prisoners I think ought to be equally housed and fed regardless if they are ambitious and turn their life around.
-
I agree except for the fact, that here in Florida we have good old judged innocent Casey Anthony and no one except her mother and the jury thinks she was entirely innocent of her crime. She is trying to declare bankruptcy, has not worked since her trial and lives off, no one knows exactly what.. I really do not want to see her b enefit over an innocent childs death.Granted it was probably an accident, but she knew and did not tell.
-
Barb, do you remember back around 2003 or 2004 when we read the book that came out of Wally Lamb's writing class at the Connecticut Prison for Women? Some of the women in the class earned some royalties on the book and the state tried to collect payment from them.
There were several who wrote the state against that and I don't remember just what transpired. Ginny would know, I'm sure. This was before the SeniorNet fallout, and as SeniorNet we collected books for prison libraries.
Here's a link from the archives to the book discussion, but nothing about the payments.
Couldn't Keep It To Myself (http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/archives/nonfiction/CouldntKeepittoMyselfII.html)
-
Thanks Pedln for the reminder -now I do remember - we get on with life and forget things that open our eyes so that today I see more of this than I did before that experience with Ginny and Wally Lamb.
When we mistreat prisoners it says more about us and reduces us to the level of the criminal - to me it is not if they deserve it or not it is how we treat life and how well we can change the behavior of someone who is seriously anti-social -
More and more we learn there is not prisoner who was not abused as a child - I know we can say but not all kids who are abused turn criminal but then not every boy who is angry and who was humiliated by others collects a cadre of guns and kills many is a public place like a school or movie theater - these folks are sick and if the research was there I can't help thinking we would know what the trigger is that prompts harmful anti-social behavior and for some the response to being a victim pushes them over the edge - but again - being fair in our treatment is not about them but about us.
I see that on a personal level - I can get bent out of shape and be just as ugly or step back and yes, I become sarcastic which is not right either but I found a tit for tat only messes up my way of looking at others and my thoughts leave being grateful for what I have in my life to plotting and planning what and how to say it.
-
Now I believe that if you are in Prison and have earned a Private Pension from working then it goes into a Bank Account. They don't take that. I do believe that they take your Social Security earned like they do in a Nursing home if you are on Medicaid system.
-
Jeanne I think that is for work done while in prison but if you produce something during your time in jail often while in your cell and sell it on the open market and it is a success - the small earnings are not counted towards paying your incarceration however if you write a book or an article that is accepted in a magazine or a poem that is published or art work that sells in a gallery then you not only pay the prison any profit you make but you are billed for your entire incarceration. Not even your family gets any of the profits which if you are a father or mother could make a huge difference to your children.
-
I'm not sure but I think that Wally Lamb was listed as the author of that book which occurred from the women's class in writing he taught at Niantic? I think the money would have gone to him legally and I'm sure he saved it for them, if that were necessary, he's that kind of person.
-
Just did a Google search about W Lamb's book. Link and excerpt
CBS News and York (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-616203.html)
But this was the real deal. Harper Collins bought the book for $75,000, to be split among the contributors. After all was said and done, each of the women would receive $5,600 dollars when they were released from prison.
Lamb made sure that prison and state officials were notified about the book deal, hoping they would embrace this unlikely success story. But he didn't hear a word, until a few days before the books reached the stores.
Instead of embracing the women for their accomplishment, the state of Connecticut decided to go after them with a vengeance.
The attorney general invoked a vaguely worded law that allows the state to charge inmates for their own incarceration. And the state sued the women, not for the $5,600 that they had made on the book deal, but for $117 a day, for every day they would spend in prison.
One inmate had a lien placed against her assets for $913,000. Another for $473,000. And to make things worse, uniformed sheriff's deputies served the papers.
-
I remember it was a mess. There is also a second book, but just now finding it in my library is probably not going to happen. A few were out by the time of the second book.. Wally Lamb did a wonderful thing for them..The state was the horror story. But I don't believe that every person in prison was abused. I had a lovely neighbor who had five children..Four successes and one druggie who has spent most of his adult life in and out of jail. Not abuse, simply drugs causing him to rob, etc.
-
Oh wow, I didn't know all that. I guess that's why he was on 60 Minutes that time, then. I remember all this now. He took on the establishment and won, apparently. When you read to the end of that article, written in 2007, it says:
We knew we would face exactly the question that you've asked," says Blumenthal. "Isn't it 60 Minutes? Isn't it the PEN award? But my feeling was that we should do the right thing."
In this case, the right thing requires each of the inmates who shared in the proceeds of the book to pay the state of Connecticut $500 -- not hundreds of thousands of dollars the state had originally sought. Almost all of that money will go to the prison writing program, the same one the state tried to shut down.
Copyright 2007 CBS. All rights reserved.
So that looks good?
Wally Lamb is an incredible human being.
-
I'm reading an interesting, light book, An American Heiress by Dorothy Eden. The illegitimate dgt of a wealthy New Yorker is left with his widow by the house servant mother. The child grew up to become the maid of the legtimate dgt, but also educated with her. As adults the legtimate dgt is engaged to an English lord who needs her money to keep his estate operating. She and her step-sister and mother sail on the Luisitania to the wedding in England!!!
Yes! Hettie, the "maid", survives, the mother and fiancee die. The mother in an attempt to save her jewelry had made Hettie wear some of it when they were forced to abandon ship. When Hettie was found alive she was mistaken for the bride-to-be. She follows thru and marries the lord, who had only met the bride-to-be one brief time. It sounds like a stupid scenario, but Eden makes it seem plausible. The lord marries and hurries off to the trenches in WWI, Hetty takes control of her "inheritance", which you could say she rightly deserves being the other spawn of the father, and efficently and soundly uses it to fix up the estate. There is a woman who anticipated being the wife of the lord but had no money who is obviously going to be a problem. Also sounds silly, but i'm enjoying it.
I know that somewhere down the years she's going to get "caught." that's the suspense.
-
We were reading Lamb's book and corresponding with him when all this happened, if I remember correctly. We had a project of donating books to prisons for awhile.
-
Yes we did, we donated if I recall correctly over 7,000 books and the last I heard it continues from the PEN/Faulkner to Niantic but that may have changed since we're no longer in it.
-
Ginny, I'm fairly certain that the annual Pen/Faulkner book donation goes on as SeniorLearn and Pen/Faulkner Foundation are partners in the Library of Congress Center for Book. To that extent, we are still credited with the partnership sending hundreds of books to York. Only now P/F pays the postage - we used to do it - as you will remember! :D
-
You two worked very hard at it, if I remember.
-
Jean, I hope she doesn't get caught out. Please do let us know.
-
In Senior net, we also sent books to an Indian reservation school. That was interesting as I recall.
-
There is a new phishing scam, tied to your Chase credit card (if you have one). It will arrive in your Spam folder most likely, and while the logo looks correct, their email address is wrong, and there are misspelling errrors. It asks for "information" about your account. I called Chase and they are aware. Just delete immediately.
-
Pass this one on.
-
It would appear that THE big book of this year will be the third by a very fine Afghan/American writer: Khalid Hosseini, "And The Mountains Echoed." It had a fantastic review in The Washington Post.
-
Today is the 210th anniversity of the opening of the first Public Library (Philadelphia)! Hooray, libraries!
(My source didn't make clear whether that was first anywhere or first in the US).
-
Thank you Ben Franklin!!! The word "public" may be significant in your statement Joan. There were subscription libraries in Europe and U S before. In fact Ben's first foray was a lending library for his Junto philosophical society, a group of men who met weekly to talk about new ideas of all kinds, and the Phila Public Library was build on that collection of books. Ben apparently pushed the idea frequently before he died. That was the info i have read about it anyway.
-
"public" is right. There have been great libraries throughout history. Remember he one in Alexandria that burned. And saving many documents when Pompaii erupted. Don't know what you had to do (or who you had to know) to gain accress to those.
Wonder about our Library of Congress. The stacks aren't open to the public, but the catalog is, and you can order books to read there. Wonder when this became true for everyone?
-
Can someone here remind me of the website where you can look up mystery books, by LOCALE? I know it's not Stop You're Killing Me, but my mind is going absolutely blank on the other site. Help !!!
-
Library of Congress is a fascinating place.. ONe of my all time fav orites.
-
Tomereader - Stop you're Killing Me does give you mysteries by location. That's where i have my list if NJ and Pa mysteries.
E.g. http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/LocationCats/USA/NewJersey.html
-
Mabel.
Now is that site just for New Jersey? It is a good one but I need another state.
-
I am pretty sure it works for lots of areas, since I tried it for Boston once..
-
where did everybody go?
-
I was wondering that myself! LOL. Usually this board has frequent posts, but it was idle from May 24. Everyone posting over in "The Library" I think. Good to have someone back here!
-
Yes, everyone is on the library and not here. I think the general fiction puts themoff.. But it shouldnt. We all read a wide variety of books. I am still wavering around on something really interest me.. We had quite a storm last night. Wow.. Living in the summer backed up to a major amount of large trees, I tend to be cautious when the wind blows like that, but all is well. Lost power for maybe an hour all in all..
-
Jeanne - on the left-hand side of that page is a link to "location index" click on that and then you can pick whatever country or state you want.
-
Jeanne - I don't know if I mentioned it before, but http://www.tripfiction.com/ lists books by location, genre, etc - you can choose from places all over the world, including different US states, cities in Europe, etc. I like it.
Rosemary
-
How does one get to the library? There's always that ten percent that doesn't get the word.
-
OK here is the link however, if you go to the top of the posts just above where it says in the blue bar Post reply there is a line that starts with SeniorLearn.org Discussin > General Book Discussions & More -
Hit either of those two link phrases and you will come to an index of all the discussion in SeniorLearn - as you scroll down you will see Library and like every discussion, once you post in the discussion, the discussion will come back up when in the future you hit at the top of the page the line that says "Show new replies in discussions in which you have posted."
http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?board=18.0
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Rosemary. Really like that web site " trip fiction" like to read mostly books that take place in North England. Now easier.
-
Looks really interesting, RosemaryKaye. I've added the site to my bookmarks folder.
-
Hmm, will try trip fiction.. sounds neat. I am going to a Scottish festival today. Our little town of Franklin high in the smokies was settled by Scots as was a good deal of the North Carolina Mountain area.. They have a clan festival and meetings here each year. In the larger areas, it is huge with a large parade, etc. This is a small area, so we have smaller groups, but it is very nice and today a man with a border collie and sheep is coming to demonstrate..Figured I go and then come home and tell the dogs, how some dogs work for a living.
-
Figured I go and then come home and tell the dogs, how some dogs work for a living.
;D
-
Oh, have lots of fun Steph. We have several in my area, but I haven't been to one in years. When we lived in Bethlehem, George and I used to attend the Highland Games.
-
Nice book that explains the Scottish connection in the South particularly in North Carolina - http://tinyurl.com/mkl87g2
-
Steph.
Now I thought that your breed of dog were meant to Hurd cattle.or some animal. Wasn't sheep. They are a smart dog.
-
Yes Corgi are herd dogs and do herd both sheep and cattle.. But this particular man has border collies. They herded both sheep ( piece of cake) and ducks( as the man said, for the laugh factor) I loved it. Corgi are funny around small children, because they do love to herd them and it sometiimes does not end well.
I had a lovely day.. The clans even when they were only one or two people marched with pride and grace down the street. Makes you wish you were a scot.
-
I've seens films of border collies herding sheep. It's amazing to watch.
-
Our rescue centres are most full of Staffies, but there are also a fair few border collies because people buy them not realising that they are highly intelligent working dogs - they need a lot of intellectual challenge (unlike the average retriever....) and become troublesome if they don't get it. They are fabulous farm dogs and we often see them riding around on the back of quad bikes, in tractor cabs, etc, looking as happy as Larry. There are lots and lots in the Lake District as it is such a sheep farming area.
Rosemary
-
We owned a bordeer collie for fourteen years. They are really not meant to be pets; they NEED sheep or something to herd. Ours never learned to stay at home until she got too feeble to run off. She tried to herd cars her whole life; it was a miracle she wasn't run over years before she died of old age. Dogs get feeble just as we do.
-
Yes, most herding dogs need a job. I create opportunities for my corgi all the time. My old lady at 15 mostly sleeps, but Duncan helps me every day with all sortsof small jobs.
Finally dug deep in my TBR.. Found a Stewart O'Nan..Emily Alone.. Just started it , but I think it is a keeper for me.About a widow and how life can change for her.. Yum. Hard for me to believe a man wrote it.
-
Oh, Steph, I'm so glad you found "Emily, Alone" in your TBR stack. I read it months back after I first "discovered" Stewart O'Nan. He is really terrific, and can write a female character better than most male authors. I hope you enjoy. It really is a touching book.
-
One evening in the summer of 1971, David and I were headed for a pub in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. We were walking down the main road there. It was probably eight o'clock or later, but still light out, as it is there in the summertime. Suddenly we had to take ourselves to the far edge of the road to allow a fairly large herd of sheep to go by. Mind, these were not the fat curly-wooled critters we are used to here in the States, but much slimmer versions with much longer coats. And they were white with black markings, here, there and wherever. And spots of blue or red dye on a forehead or back hock or ear or what have you, to mark the owner. Here they came, and there they went, with only one Border Collie running alongside, first this side, then the front, then the other side, and the back, and so forth. We marvelled! We were astounded. After the herd was well on its way down the way we had come from, we started back down the road. And along came 2 little barefoot boys, who could not have been more than 10 to 12 years of age; more like 9 to 10. They were the shepherds! Laughing and having a good old time. The dog was doing ALL the work!
It did not take many days in Scotland for us to come to appreciate the hard work these dogs did; and we understood them coming into the pubs with their owners and lying quietly at their feet all evening until "Last call, Gentlemen!"
-
Some of my family were (up to retiring last year)sheep farmers up in Yorkshire . Very involved in running the shows. Many awards. Seems like their son's after university preferred the big cities . Happens so much anymore.
-
In Scotland,I found that a good many places allow the dogs to go in, including the pubs of course. I did laugh, I was investigating a small town and went into a small clothing store. Right in the center of the entrance was a small terrier. He just gave me a look and went back to hisduties.. Yes, he was watching the entrance and if you tried to enter with another dog, he rose, barked with command and the people obediently stopped, picked up their dogs and then entered. I loved his job.
Emily Alone, oh me, some of rings such deep bells in my heart. I love the book and have been tol there is another about her??
-
I am loving the sheepdog posts~! Last year I went on a week's Archaeological Study Tour of Hadrian's Wall. They graze a lot of sheep on these ruins. As we were returning to the bus we got cut off by a modern shepherd on a 4 Trax, who apparently was intending to switch pastures. But the sheep had their own ideas. He was most displeased when they ran into the wrong pasture and called the dog which somehow went into the new pasture, headed them off, turned them around,
(http://seniorlearn.org/latin/graphics/sheep1.jpg)
brought them back up, onto and down the road and into the new pasture.(http://seniorlearn.org/latin/graphics/sheep2.jpg) Here the shepherd is going to shut the gate behind them.
Never saw anything like it in my life. Of course I, the only American on the trip, was mesmerized, the archaeologist leading the group and the bus load waiting for us to rejoin them, were a little less impressed with my breathless enthusiasm and exclamations when my friend and I finally got back on the bus. hahaha
These Americans, how little it takes to make them enthused! hahahaa
-
And who knew you would actually be able to use these pictures in a show and tell for us!?! Isn't Seniorlearn grand?
A friend gave me a bag of books she had finished reading. I just finished "Almost" by Elizabeth Benedict. A woman's husband dies while they are in the middle of a separation leading to divorce. Those of you whose spouse may have died recently may want to avoid it, but it was entertaining. It was one of those books that all the story takes place in four days, so there is a lot if detail about the characters and their thinking and hour by hour events taking place. There is a little suspense about how the husband died, did he kill himself, if so why? There is a little of the legality of what the wife is entitled to of his estate, and the relationship between her and an ex-wife and step dgts. Very heavy in personality issues. I enjoyed it.
Amazon page for the book http://www.amazon.com/Almost-Novel-Elizabeth-Benedict/dp/B003YCQDQG/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1371566767&sr=1-5&keywords=Elizabeth+benedict
Jean
-
Steph, the other "Emily" book is "Wish You Were Here". Go to Fantastic Fiction to read what Barnes & Noble had to say about it. I liked it too, but preferred "Emily, Alone".
-
(I wish I knew how to do a "link" to these discussions from sites that don't have a "send as Link" tab) Anyone help?
-
Tomereader...generally, I do a copy of the url at the site I want to capture and then just paste it in here.
To copy and paste: 1) Highlight the url or whatever it is you want to copy.
2) Press Control key + the C key on your keyboard.
3) To paste, click your mouse arrow in the box here, and then press Control key + the V key on your keyboard.
jane
-
Yes, I found the reference to the other book about Emily. It is before Emily Alone, but I have it on my tbr list and will keep on the lookout for it. I do like O'Nan very much.
-
Jane .now on my dest top I always use Ctrl.C .V to move things. Now on this I pad keyboard where are you seeing the Ctrl. Key. I did get a plug in K b but seldom use it.
-
Tomereader...generally, I do a copy of the url at the site I want to capture and then just pastit in here.
oh! I see it is the arrow up. Just hold it down then C V...now I have been sending to the clipboard..
Sorry should do this over in the practice forum..
To copy and paste: 1) Highlight the url or whatever it is you want to copy.
2) Press Control key + the C key on your keyboard.
3) To paste, click your mouse arrow in the box here, and then press Control key + the V key on your keyboard.
jane
-
we all have our favorite way - I usually look for the URL in the address bar on top of my window and pass over it with my cursor holding down my mouse with my left finger so the URL turns blue - then while it is blue I press the right side of the mouse and a window pops up that I choose to copy the URL that is now blue - it copies only the blue - then I simply paste that in my post by again pressing the right side of the mouse so the window pops up and I choose the word paste - I do not hold any other keys down - after I have pasted it I often use the little instruction helps listed on the top of our posts above all the happy faces and make the pasted URL bold and I underline it as well so it appears as most links that are usually underlined.
If it is a very long URL, which is often the case with sharing a link to a book on Amazon, than I go to the website TinyURL and in the small window paste the address and automatically it pops up below the window a small URL address that again I do the same thing - hold my mouse down and swipe my curser across then hold the right side of my mouse - the window pops up and I copy the new small URL address and again paste it using the right side of my mouse to access the pop up window that has the word paste.
-
I also use the right click/choose Copy/move to place I want it to be/Click Paste. Don't have to hold anything down - and I can even open a new e-mail (or whatever) and Paste the URL there.
Just be sure to use the URL in the very top box (gray on my computer) - not the one on the Tab.
-
I may even try copy and paste that way.For the most part, I dont pass on stuff..
-
Copy and paste is a little different on our IPads. This is what we are trying to do. Just don't have a mouse. Jane has got me doing it right.
I wrote this over in S and F . Copy and now will press for paste.
Here it is.....
I can hear thunder at the moment. Getting dark out. I was out for 3 hrs.and so hot and humid. Hope it cools down.
Sad thing is, tonight at 5 pm the open the big food and craft fair down town. 125 venders. This will be the third year now that rain has come on the first night.i went by and they were putting tents up. Doubt I go . On until Sunday.
-
That sounds like fun Jeanne. I love those kind of fairs. My hometown had a huge fair with animals and food and crafts and rides. For decades my older sister was chair of the crafts unit, signing in the crafts, gettint the judges for them, running the judging and organizing volunteer "monitors" for the two buildings for a week. She only stopped when she was 82 and didn't have the energy any more to do it.
Jean
-
I love some types of craft fairs. There are several up here in the mountains and when we lived in NewEngland, they used to have a huge one around Thanksgiving. The crafting was very high end and not so much everybody lets do this kind of nonsense.. Some of the one here are very nice, but a good many are how many knit gloves can you look at sort of places.
-
Are there some good fairs in your area this summer? Maybe we can work around one of those? or not?
-
Steph and MaryZ - I believe the Highlands is only about a half hour from Franklin and it is a town filled with upscale shops.
-
I know the area, too, Barb. Not too far from Murphy, Brasstown and John C. Campbell folk school. Neat places.
-
The big one in our parts I would say is .The covered bridge festival" . This runs for about a week. Over in Indiana. Still draws quite a crowd . Never seem to get rain . Couple of nice ones down in Amish area. About 30 min. For me. State fairs not the same anymore . We also have a big one in Clinton.il. Only thing is it seems like Food and tee shirt venders have taken over. Now Carnivals. like Circus's I never would go to those even when young.
-
We in East Lothian are about to start the summer round of county shows, flower festivals, etc - next Saturday is the Haddington Show, which is an agricultural one - cows, horses, etc - plus the 'industrial tent' which houses the competitions fro flowers, baking, preserves, art, crafts, and the locally ubiquitous Lammermuir stick dressing. As my friend Fiona is in charge of the baking, I've been bullied into entering - just hope I don't embarrass myself....
Also hope the show isn't flooded off, as it has been for the past 2 years - we've had great weather till yesterday, and now the rain has started. The show has actually been moved from the traditional ground to East Fortune airfield, which is away from the river and which obviously has hard standing rather than grass.
Rosemary
-
Highlands is close..But very very trendy and high end. I generally go and spend a day now and then, but would not want to do the gorge road that much.The waterfalls are wonderful, but the road is terrifying.
The best craft show I went to last year was at Western Carolina Univ. in Cullowhee?? Beautiful in the middle of lovely mountains. It is somewhat south of Sylvan..
Mary Z. I think that is a bit far for you. We need to plan around possibly Nantahala and the rafting area??
-
Our State Fair here in SC is alive and well, occurring right after the harvest season in the fall. I love the Farm Displays but never did one, they are absolutely amazing. The pumpkins! The wedding cakes! The quilting! The cows and 4H and FFA kids with their sheep and pigs and....I love the State Fair, and the North Carolina State Fair is the granddaddy of them all in this area, it's absolutely spectacular if you like agricultural fairs.
I hear that the Midwest State Fairs, tho, beat anything we have here. I'd kill to see one.
Rosemary, best of luck, congratulations for trying and in such a difficult category! Look for motorcycles on the road. I entered the State Fair here for years in a row, even the NC State Fair, but in the jelly, preserves, jams, etc. Absolutely loved everything about it. (I stopped entering when they stopped tasting it, didn't see the point, really.)
Best of luck, if you see any motorcycles on the road to the fair, the number you see will tell you the ribbons/prizes you'll win. hahahahahaa
I always try to see if there's any sort of fair where I'm going, absolutely love them. Love the draft horses.
I've been taking my little grandson to the SC State Fair every year. I keep telling him we'll enter one day. I'm not sure what, but there IS a child's division. I guess he might try eggs from his chickens.
-
Steph, John spent many happy hours in and around Nantahala when he was white-water kayaking. A lovely place. Any time after about 6 July will work for us - maybe in a midweek - less crowded than on a weekend.
-
Did you all see the Queen at the big Asscot race. She was almost lumping out of seat. First time one of her royal horses came in first place. I would jump to. Ithink her bet made her about 135 thousand. Don't know if that in pounds or dollars . Will help pay Phillips hospital bill. ( not read how he is doing ) .
-
The Queen and her mother adored racing and have large stables or did anyway..
Ginny, I kept trying to get to one of the large midwestern fairs, but they are mostly in September and we tended to be in the midwest in mid summer..
I love the Raleigh fair. Went several times and had such a blast. Do they still have the cottages in the middle of the fair grounds that people seem to live in. I was told you could rent them, but needed to apply way far in advance.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Getting ready to start reading "The ballad of Tom Dooly".
-
I have the library book of Tom Dooley, and will start it soon, also.
Sally
-
NYTimes article today says Alice Munro is retiring from writing! Interesting article.
-
Thanks for that info, Tomereader. I'll go look for it.
Jeanne and Sally, I'd like to hear your reaction to Tom Dooley. I'm about mid-way, it's going slowly for me. I have mixed emotions. It's a good story, but the characters are not very likeable.
-
Thanks, tomereader,
It's a very interesting article. I didn't realize that Munro is 82.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/02/books/alice-munro-puts-down-her-pen-to-let-the-world-in.html
-
Dooley ended up a hard read and I love her books,but I too felt there was nothing likeable about the characters.. Oh well.
-
I stopped reading Tom Dooly. They have now ordered large print for me. Will be easier.
-
Now started reading" the Buddha in the Attic" by Julie otsuka ,
so far good .women being shipped to USA for brides. In the early 1930 .
-
Have a Glorious Celebration of this grand day for us all!
-
Happy fourth to every one from very very soggy North Carolina.
-
Yesterday I discovered a volume showing over 800 original woodblock illustrations that were engraved for "The Household Edition" of Charles Dickens works. It now resides on my Kindle for reference and enjoyment.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/43207/43207-h/43207-h.htm html version
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/43207 download page
-
Sounds like fun. I will explore that one for sure.
-
That does sound like fun, Frybabe. The HTML version seemed slow on my PC. What type of download would you recommend? I don't plan to put it on my Kindle, but could put it with the Kindle on PC?
I wonder if any of them come in PDF? I've heard of "Dropbox," but am not familiar with "Google Drive."
Have you read anything by Wallace Stegner? Today we're starting a discussion of his short story, "Chip Off the Old Block," about a 12-year-old who's left alone to "hold down the fort."
Chip Off the Old Block (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?board=168.0)
-
I just started September by Rosamunde Pilcher. I've read only her Shell Seekers previously and really liked it. This appears to be a sequel with the son's character. It also appearsthat "time" is going to be a theme. She has referenced at least 3 times inthe first 100 pages how the lazy, hazy days of summer elude us as we get older. I liked this quote....
It occurred to her, sadly, and not for the first time, that as you grew older you become busier, and time went faster and faster, the months pushing each other rudely out of the way, and the years slipping off the calendar and into the past. Once, there had been time. Time to stand, or sit, and justlook at daffodils. Or to abandon housekeeping, on the spur of the moment, walk out of the back door and up the hill, into the lark-song emptiness of a summer morning. Or to take off for a self-indulgent day.....shopping for frivolities, meeting a girl friend for lunch, the wine-bar warm with humanity and conversation, smelling of coffee and the sort of food that one never cooked for oneself.
All treats that for a number of reasons didn't seem to happen any longer.
Until one retires!!! :)
Wasn't that lovely and well-written and true?
-
Unfortunately I don't see a PDF version listed on Gutenberg, Pedln. If you have a program called Calibri (free) you can convert files from one format to another. Sometimes converting to PDF though doesn't work too well. I tried converting an ePub file to a PDF once and didn't like the result. No harm in trying.
http://calibre-ebook.com/ Calibre is a nice program. Besides converting files from one format to another, you can download and read many magazines and journals and create a bookshelf. Don't forget to download the user's guide if it doesn't automatically download with the program. Set up is relatively easy.
-
mark
-
Jean her early stories like - September, Snow in April; Wild Mountain Thyme; Flowers in the Rain are light and easy - Starting with Coming Home she tackles some uncomfortable and serous issues that give her books another dimension. Her son's book are a bit hefty rather than like her early work however, the subjects I find are not as demanding as his mother's later work.
In the early days of blogging before everyone and their dog had a blog she had a wonderful web site that was filled with all the charm of her books - come to think of it the web site was not her's but a fan who put it together - wonder if I can find it - it was just wonderful and I visited it often.
-
Thanks, Frybabe. I'm not very brave when it comes to files and Kindle. All I do is just download books from Amazon or sometime the library. I've never tried putting other files on it.
That Calibri looks interesting and easy to download.
-
Thanks for that info, Barbara. I'll keep reading her.
-
We went to hear Mary Alice Monroe at a book signing event tonight at our downtown library. What a treat! Her new book,The Summer Girls (http://www.maryalicemonroe.com/), is again set in the Low Country of South Carolina, and is about dolphins. In the Q&A, I identified myself as a participant in SeniorLearn and said that the group has asked to be remembered to her from the time you spent with her at the beach. She remembers it well and what a good time was had by all. We got a copy of the book and had it autographed to our PhD marine biologist granddaughter. We'll give it to her after we get a chance to read it, of course. ::)
-
I have read some of Pilcher.. The later ones are heavier, but quite interesting.
-
Rosamunde Pilcher is a JOY. My problem is I have read all of her books and there are no more to read. Sob. I also have the DVDs of all the movies made from her books. Coming Home and Nancherrow are two, The Shellseekers is another.
-
I read all of R Pilcher.books but never thought of looking for .DVD. Will check the library.
-
Went into a used book store that was new to me yesterday. They had a really large section of DVD's.. but on checking most are shoot em ups.Darn.
-
Just finished reading an interesting story in the August issue of Vanity Fair about how Harper Lee's longtime agent stole her copyright.
-
I read the Harper Lee story in the NewYork Times.Fascinating.. You get old and alone and odd things happen. She had trusted him for so many years. What a slime ball he is.
-
You can almost see right in front of your eyes what was happening, though. Here was this man with a family and heirs. And he had been watching while his client of many, many decades who was unmarried and without children was raking in millions every year.
I had NO IDEA one book could furnish such an income. Most writers of many books never see THAT kind of money.
Blew my mind to read that. And she of simple tastes all these many years. Then she got very old. Very, very old. And sick. And he thought he would just take over the copyright and divert those monies to a place where they were sorely needed.
Well, she wasn't THAT very old now, was she!
-
The sorely needed seemed to be his pockets. I hope he goes away for a long long time and has to pay it back. Who knows what Harper Lee wants done with the money. It is hers and she earned every penny.
-
Just starting Bull's Island by D.B. Frank. I always like her books and having South Carolina's coast as a venue always works. Have any of you read it?
I sometimes confuse DBF's books w/ MA Monroe's books because of the location and the similarity of stories about families and relationships. Love them both.
-
I like D.B. Frank's books. Not much literary value but lots of fun. The last I read was "The last original wife" about the dissolution of a marriage and a woman building a new mode of living for herself. She makes some excellent points.
-
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/dbfrank Interesting he was born in Maine.
Ah I bet you are talking about Dorothea Benton Frank - http://www.dotfrank.com/
The other author that writes in a similar vain is Cassandra King Conroy - Pat Conroy's current wife. http://www.cassandrakingconroy.com/
-
and of course Pat Conroy, who is my particular favorite..
-
We love Pat Conroy!!!
-
I am also fond of Lee Smith, Sharon Mccrumb and Margaret Maron.All excellent writers about the south.
-
I do not know Lee Smith's writing, but the other two are great favorites of mine. In fact, Maron in particular has given me hours and hours of Joy. I have joined her on line fan club and get her emails. Just trying to make sure I do not miss a new Deborah Knott story!
-
There are so many southern writers. It seems to be in the blood in some ways.
-
I just picked up from the library. time is a river by MA Monroe and Off the Leash by Jean Whatley..both look like a good read.
-
Oh my goodness, I remember reading Thomas Wolfe's OF TIME AND THE RIVER back in the nineteen forties.
-
No rain yesterday. Hooray for me.. I am sooo tired of the constant rain this year.
-
After the rains clear out today, we are supposed to have clear weather for 3 or 4 days.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
The weather map showing the overall till the middle of August shows a lot of heavy rain to continue along the east and we get the hot and dry that has become our Alma mater
-
Our handycouple.came and fixed my roof leak yesterday ( I hope, I hope) and promised to come back soon to fix my car port.. It is built sort of intoa hill and the hill is collapsing on the front of it.
-
Oh, dear, Steph. That's not a good thing. I hope they get there in time.
-
They will, I just have to nag which is not a favorite thing of mine. It is mostly on the sides, so other than the driveway turning red from Georgia red clay, it is not dangerous, but messy.
-
I am reading Mary Alice Monroe "Time is a river" at the moment. Little slow but best I have until tomorrow. Some waiting at the library.
-
I just finished Mary Alice Monroe's "The Beach House". I enjoyed it so much I'm going to reserve "Sweetgrass" from our local library. Thanks for bringing up Ms. Monroe's name.
-
Aberlaine, I loved Sweet Grass; but then I haven't read an Alice Monroe book that I didn't like!
Sally
-
Spent two house yesterday cleaning at the Humane Society. Felt wonderful after.. so I will go back on Saturdays. Hm, seems as if I need somewhere to use up energy..
-
Glad you had a successful day, and have found a new outlet for your energy.
-
Steph. Good of you to do that. I love all animals but if I spent 10 min inside a humane soc. I would have the biggest allergy attach. Specially if theyhad cats in.
-
This time of year, they are knee deep in kittens. Plus the mountain people are not into neutering their cats.. So they simply take the kittens to the shelters and swear they found them in their barn with no Mamas..Hmph..
-
I imagine working in a shelter gives you a whole new perspective on things.
We actually did find a kitten in our barn, somebody's cat had had a litter, in our barn of course, and one kitten fell thru a very small hole somehow in the loft which was for the electrical, down onto a shelf and rode a box onto the barn floor. Despite that he was fine. Despite our attempts to the contrary, the mother came back for the others but left "Buzzy" as we now call him, behind, so we "adopted" him pretty much by default.
I'm told by those who like cats and the Vet that he's beautiful. We're not cat people at all. He's neutered and he likes to ride on golf carts and help out with anything mechanical but he's also a pistol who doesn't mind biting/ attacking for no reason with no warning the hand which feeds him, (he's a true barn cat despite being socialized as a youngster) and that's not the kind of behavior we're used to, so it's been sort of a rocky road. Especially when it's time to put his flea/ heartworm meds on him. But he's happy and amazingly healthy, and we put him up in the barn at night so the wild animals don't get a shot at him.
I never have understood the mentality of people who will see what appears to them to be a farm and put out all manner of young animals thinking that the farmer for some reason will be happy to take them in and care for their unwanted pets. Taking them to the shelter is much kinder for the animal because they really don't have a chance in that situation.
-
Ginny, Twerp was a bitey cat too. I never could break him of it. I blame it on the fact that he was not fully weaned; his mother got out of the house and got run over. One of my co-workers took in his sister but she never mentioned having a problem, so who knows.
-
Have either of you watched "My cat from Hell" on Animal Planet? I don't know if the tips he gives are actually useful, or not. He has toys he uses with bitey cats that simulate going after prey, and tire them out. And modifies the environment, so they can have their own place. (often looking down on everyone).
-
Twerp had his crows nest. The little stinker liked to go for my hand rather than the toy. When he got older, he pretty much ignored toys. Oh, but did that cat ever have the biggest purr box I ever heard. I think I saw one of the Cat from Hell shows.
-
Oh no I haven't seen the Cat From Hell except in person. :) Buzzy has his run of the farm, plenty of game to chase and plenty of high places of his own, he's got the entire interior of the barn every night, and he does think it's his. I dunno. If I can catch the program I will, tho, but give me a dog every time.
-
I love both cats and dogs, but generally have dogs.Used to have cats as well. Dogs tend to be more companionable, at least my corgi are .They like to be nosy and check out everything. I like volunteering at the shelter and like the grown cats and kittens for fun. I also dont want to work with the dogs since I have two at home and dont like to expose them by being with any dogs that are ill.
-
I never had cats but there are some beautiful breeds now. What I like about cats. Their faces. All seem to have a smiling one.
What I hate to see now in the Pet stores and places are the toys for both dogs and cats. Lots of them are animals like Squirrels.Rabbits, stuffed dogs and cats. Birds. all kinds. My friend buys them for her dog and it goes mad tearing them apart. Hate it to see a Squirrel outside or a bird.
-
I think we have become confused about our Pets - in one breath we want well-mannered, loving companions dependent on us as if they were almost a child and in the next breath we remember they are animals with strong instincts to survive in nature therefore we think we should allow the pets to exercise their survival and hunting skills.
What gets me is the millions of pets cooped up all day indoors with only a brief evening walk when the occupants come home from work. Dogs especially should have a good run several times a week if we care at all about the animal rather than what the animal does for us.
-
Barb, I agree - I am home all day with my animals, and if I even go out for a couple of hours, I feel guilty leaving the dog (though these days I think he just goes to sleep till I come back) - but I have a friend who is a dog walker, and she says most of the dogs she takes out are left in pens all day by owners who work long hours - she is the only person they see during that time. I feel that these people should probably have stuck to cats. I do have neighbours who are both out all day but they pay for their bearded collie to go to 'doggie daycare' every day - it costs them a fortune, but I feel it is at least responsible pet-ownership, as the dog is collected every morning at 10 and returned at 4, having been walked, had a good romp with the other dogs at the centre, and generally had a great time - she is a beautiful, well-socialised animal. The female owner is a teacher, so does not work during the long school holidays, and the man is an offshore engineer, so he too is home for weeks then away for weeks, so they do have the dog home full-time when they are there.
Our weather has been so hot lately (by our standards anyway) that it's not been possible to walk the dog during the middle part of the day, but we have been taking him to the beach in the evenings when it's cooler, and which he loves.
My Siamese are just lying around in the conservatory soaking up the sun.
Rosemary
-
My dogs get walked every single morning..The old lady at 15, a short walk since she starts to pant and lag, but the younger male, we do a mile and a half up and down hills.Then during the day they go out several times for pee breaks, etc. However having grown up with a kennel owning parents, every single dog had a run as well as an inside comfy spot, beds, puffy blankets and toys.. Also a radio on all day in the kennel. They really mostly slept, inside if cold or wet and outside on the raised platform during the day. My Dad had two large play yards, but unless you went in with them, they simply walked around a bit. My younger dog loves to play and so we play throw the ball( toy) several times a day. The shape of the toys is really for the humans. The dogs love the noise they make and if they are furry or not..Doggie day care depends on the dog. For my older one, it would be pure pain, she is not social..but my younger likes it up to a point.He is not overfond of pushy dogs.
-
So funny, my dog does NOT like any of her toys that make noise= squeaks. The two toys she loves best are ones that I have tried to find duplicates for, but unsuccessfully. One is a ball, Ha! started out as a tennis ball-type, only it has the fuzzy part on half, and smooth rubber on the rest. She has chewed that until it is split until it is hanging by practically a thread. I have searched and searched- - no joy! She has several sizes of tennis ball type, could care less.
The other favorite toy is a plastic "foot". Time was it had a squeaker, but previous dog chewed off one toe, and we took the squeaker thing out. Current dog loves to chew on this foot! Vet said to get her some rawhide "bones" to help keep her teeth clean, and she does love to chew on those, till they're so small, I'm afraid she'll swallow it, and I toss it and give a nnew one. Pets can be as stubborn and opinionated as kids or seniors!
-
Just finished an Elizabeth Berg.. All about four friends who make a road trip.. A bit too .. boyfriend oriented, but interesting in some ways.
-
Yes I read it - I think during Memorial Day weekend - cute and I liked how they could live well, all in the same house and how they were supportive of each other pushing each other to face what was difficult. I was amazed at how she could leave her home with everything in it and just take a couple of suitcases - not sure that I could do that.
I went through a phase of about 6 weeks of reading what I call Beach reading and one that I thought was a interesting was - Calling Invisible Women: A Novel by Ray, Jeanne - it puts a smile on your face -
I am sure it must have started off as the take off on how moms often say they feel invisible just providing meals and clean clothes etc. however, in the story these women really become invisible and unless dressed no one can see them - They have shape and size for instance in bed and the women the story is centered around no one in her immediate family realizes she is invisible including her overworked husband, a physician - they do have a good marriage but he, as her children when they are home from college do not look at her as she serves meals etc. The only ones who realize is her best friend but not her best friend's teenage kids and her mother-in-law - a Yoga teacher who urges her to keep up with her class. Wearing leotards her form can be seen.
Then there is an ad and there is a group of invisible women who meet every week at a hotel - they leave their clothes off in a locker and hold a tissue so others in the group know someone is there using the hotel ballroom for their meeting - of course not paying and if there is a set up after another earlier meeting they help themselves - if the cleaning crew comes in they drop their tissue and get out of the way.
What is more fun is hearing how they use their invisibility - one woman flies of course passing all inspections - gets into cabs while it is taking on a new passenger and she attends opening art exhibitions in New York - another is a teacher and she rides the school bus invisible and successfully stops the bullies - it ends up that they find invisible women all over including the mother of the boy her beautiful college age daughter is dating - she instigates a public out cry after one of them finds the cause that is a combo of three of the most popular drugs for women today - of course they invisibly get into the board room during meetings and talk to one of the scientists in his office with the express purpose of getting the pharmaceutical company to pull at least one of the drugs.
The whole thing is full of shake your head up and down how we sometimes do feel invisible with these outrageous and fun ways these characters use their invisibility.
After reading I wondered what I would do if I was invisible - the idea of travel never crossed my mind till I read it in the story and that sounded good. I really have no desire to be like a fly on the wall and to attend board meetings on Wall Street and whisper ideas that were beneficial to the middle class would be fine except I still imagine their understanding of money and investments is beyond my scope. I ask folks now what they would do if they were invisible and most just ponder and smile but I still have not heard any interesting or original idea.
-
Sounds like a fun and thought provoking read Barbara.
Jean
-
Now I think most dogs and cats have a great life. Pampered.well fed. Taken for walks. Some even get to sleep with owner in King size beds. They love life. Most of mine did not care for the outdoors, big yard or not. They have been bred down to this now . No longer want to roam out looking for food . Fighting to survive.
.
-
Sad isn't it to think we would control a breed to our emotional needs - however, I see so many of the young professionals with dogs that are only given a good walk on the weekend - maybe they too are bred down but they are usually large dogs so i think again the animal is owned to fill the owner's needs rather than the owner seeing to the animals heritage to be an animal.
-
I think animals are like us humans. We adjust to things. The more comfortable the better. The sure liv e much longer now. Use to be about 7 years. Some of ours made it to 15 years.
-
I love both dogs and cats, though dogs a bit more. Would not be able to handle a dog now, but could be happy with a cat. My lease calls for no pets, so I just enjoy my granddogs and cats now. Every week I spend a night or two at my daughter Anne's house, and she has 2 dogs and 3 cats. So I am not really without.
-
MaryPage - I think that is the best way, - similar to what so many people say about grandchildren! I could certainly do with handing this nutty spaniel over to someone for a few days a week. he was up and barking like a lunatic far too early this morning, and even after a walk and his food, he still saw fit to bark the village down just because I went into the garage without him (I should add that Anna was in the kitchen, so he wasn't even Alone...)
Rosemary
-
Still having problems with your new dog. Maybe he needs a Animal Trainer. I have one across the Highway that barks constantly. I can hear it from here. At least 600 ft away. Would hate to be their
neighbour
-
Socializing with dogs helps them a lot.. A dog park if they can handle it, if not, a classfor basic manners.
One of those days.. I did not get on until tonight since I was so busy all day.
-
Barbara, I read that book about the invisible women also and enjoyed it. Interesting premise.
-
Hmm, invisible.. As I get older, I see that I am, but not quite sure I care.. I can think of a lot of men who should be invisible.
-
I love it. To me it's one of the benefits of aging. I remember the first time I walked thru an airport seemingly invisible. Loved it and still do. Lovely.
Long time coming.
Of course in Italy everybody jumps up as if on springs in trains, the metro, buses, and offers me their seats, so that lack of invisibility (I don't take the seats) is nice, too. Such a nice change from what was. LOVE it.
On another subject I saw an article saying 40 is the new 20 and showing women in their 40's wearing shorts out and about. The editors of the peace (this is one of those supermarket rags apparently aimed at the 20's set) seemed somewhat astounded that a 40 year old would wear shorts. I was surprised at that. I don't wear shorts, but I live in an extremely hot part of the country. There are plenty of women my age and older wearing shorts, and tank tops in public. I don't. It's just a matter of personal taste.
Perhaps they like to be cool. Sometimes it looks like something else. I'm not trying to look like a teenybopper, but a lot of these women are.. What is your opinion on shorts for women over 70 or is 70 the new 30?
Ive started Rowling's Casual Vacancy, that so many people here disliked, and Under the Dome. The NYTimes did a huge feature Sunday on the King family, Stephen King, his wife Tabitha, and two sons and one daughter in law, and his daughter. I believe they all write. Wouldn't you love to sit at their table one night? Their conversation, recorded for the NY Times magazine, is very literary.
Anybody reading Under the Dome?
-
Ginny, you reflect my emotions about dress for the elderly exactly.
And I detest that at age 84 if I refer to myself as elderly there is always a chorus of voices saying: Oh no! You're not old!
And I want to be just terribly rude and say: Like hell I'm not!
But I rather urgently want to be dignified and NOT look like a teenybopper.
And I believe in below the knee in dresses and no shorts. Well, I only wear a dress to weddings and funerals. Otherwise it is slacks; but never jeans. I always try to look well turned out and coordinated.
I cannot BEAR to be walking behind or sitting behind a head of gorgeous long hair and have the owner turn her head around so that I can behold her wrinkled old face. What a shocker! I also feel older people should cut their hair short. A Judi Dench is a great idea. Again, much more dignified. Long hair is for the young.
But I do not judge anyone who feels differently. My reactions come physically from deep within me, but my thoughts are that it is none of my business what choices other women make. Sincerely.
-
MaryPage, I haven't worn a skirt in years, just pants, even some jeans that don't look like the old denims we used to wear. As for shorts -- never, ever. Part of that is because in college we could only wear bermuda shorts, not short shorts, and living in Puerto Rico for ten years -- you didn't see women of a marriageable age wearing them except maybe to the beach.
Last summer was the first time I wore cropped pants or capris, mainly because I didn't know what kind of shoes.
Now that I've lost about 30 some pounds I probably could wear a skirt, but am totally clueless about where the hem should be. Above the knee? Below the knee? Mid-calf? And I've given away all my slips. So, pants and interesting tops for me.
As for hair, I still can't believe, as I watch News and talk shows, that people pay good money to look as messed up as they do. And, as much as I love Hillary, she should cut hers or wear it up.
-
pedln, your skirt length can and should be whatever is comfortable for you - no rules any more. Personally, I like to wear skirts (they're cooler in hot weather) that are nearly ankle length. As for underneath, I don't have a slip, either. I wear petti-pants or light-weight above-the-knee shorts.
And I'll second or third the dislike of long, unconfined hair on older women - as you can tell by my picture. Not that anybody's hair has to be that short, either. Again, though, it's whatever is comfortable for you.
-
From my Blog
(http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lqmagaByqr1qkrvrho1_r1_400.jpg)
-
Ginny.
When someone gets up to offer their seat ,thank them and take it. It makes them feel good and insults if you don't . Not done very often in USA .even at my age I will give to someone ican see need it and give the Evil eye to the young still sitting.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Love the t-shirt and the photos, Barb!!
-
Me, too!
-
Shriek!! hahahaha
Ah man, you guys nailed me dead to rights. :)
(http://seniorlearn.org/latin/graphics/Gammieandmanny.jpg)
I obviously wear my hair in a bob and I'm obviously over 70 and what may not be obvious is I intend to keep right on wearing it that way too. I noticed in London it's a very popular cut with the silver and white haired ladies there and it looks very smart. (Didn't I just see a shorter one on Doc Martin the other night, in Auntie Joan's sister? I think so.)
At any rate, I am not thinking hair length means anything. If you want to wear it short, wear it short. If you like it long like Mary Beard, do it. Be yourself. Does that apply to shorts? Where does one draw the line?
Perhaps a thong in public on a 70 year old? hahahahaa
Even IF the young men passing me on the interstate get whiplash when they get a look at the wrinkled face-- hahahaaa.
-
I think the key is wearing your hair for comfort and appearance, keeping it clean. Clothes the same. I wish I could wear my hair like you do, Ginny, but neither my hair nor my face would fit that style. As for shorts - an older woman wearing shorts that fit sure beats some of the younger people I see in their shorts and tank tops - it's what fits the body well and looks appropriate for the place. I wear dresses to weddings, mostly capris or cropped pants in the summer and, unless going to a meeting or a funeral, jeans the rest of the year. We spend a lot of time out of doors and jeans are the most practical.
-
I think the key is wearing your hair for comfort and appearance, keeping it clean. I agree! Everyone's hair looks so unkempt nowadays. I think they go to great lengths to make it look that way and use so much hair product, it appears to be really greasy. I have short hair, but I think longer hair, maybe shoulder-length, looks great on older women. I agree that Hillary definitely needs a cut!
-
Of course if we could all look like Carmen this taken last year when she was 80 - we would not be having this conversation...
(http://img.spokeo.com/110-150/wenn_8907736.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJZ4FTLYXN7EZ7CIQ&Expires=1375915530&Signature=oBjJ6gOzljSMeSf4QascdQkNDEI%3D)
-
I have had mine short for a few years but now letting it grow to just below the ears.. Pretty much one length. Found that lot more curl has come back since I stopped blow drying it. Still easy to manage. Even let it grow gray. Still lot of black in it at the back.
-
cost Carmen a lot of money to keep up that look I bet. Looks good though.
-
Barb, is that you??
I wear shorts, but thats at home.. I live in a very hot area of the country.. and I walk my dogs 3-4 times a day. There are two and burmuda type shorts work well with the leashes, poo bags and sometimes a water bottle. Out, I tend to wear crops, even though I think they are mostly ugly. I prefer pants, but oh me in Florida, you roast. I have some light gauzey type pants, that I adore but they are hard to find Have had short hair for years. Walk and go to the gym and long hair gets wet and does not dry easily.
Traveling.. I wear pants and shirts ( always cotton) and sneakers, even though overseas, they spot the shoes as you being american.
-
Hi, Barb. Love the T-Shirt.
Ginny, you are on my all time favorite amusement ride. If I wasn't on a carousel, then I was on the real ponies at the park.
-
Ginny, great picture of you and little John. And your hair style suits you perfectly.
-
Looking good Ginny. What a wonderful relationship you have with your grandson!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-
OH no that is not me - I love including in my blog photos of women who pull off a pulled together look - I have several of women over 80 and one who was 100 taken two years ago who has since died - they are my incentive to not get lazy and run to the store or take a walk without my makeup and coordinated clothes - I wish could find photos of older women really walking with gusto or playing, using their body - that is the incentive I need - I still carry too much weight and have a devil of a time being faithful to a daily workout - a healthy food plan is not enough and never was enough and I am trying to decide about my hair - it is long, very long that I wrap into various twists with interesting decorative picks but it is that mixture - I would prefer to be all one thing or the other. I have to crank up the other computer and maybe I can find a photo to include - really do not have anything recent.
-
Ginny, I've always thought your hair looks gorgeous.
I don't see anything wrong with long hair on older women if their hair is good. Mine is too thin to look good long, but short (my picture is pretty current) it fluffs up and looks full.
I don't wear anything shorter than below-knee length, because my knees are crooked and blobby from arthritis; why inflict them on anyone?
-
Some longer hair is lovely on any age, but too often the long hair has gone beyond long and reaches and fuzzes. Does not look that great on any one..
Ginny, I think you have had the same hair cut for years,since I remember at the beach, your hair was like that. I love the style, but my multi color hair would look bad for me.. So I keep it short.
-
:) Thank you all, you're very kind. hahaha Thank you Judy, he's a joy.
-
Rain rain rain. The Mountain area here is getting slammed day after day. Franklin not so bad, but we still are getting a lot. Many areas however are getting flashfloods.. People are optimists and dont understand if the water is pouring across the road, it is wise to not attempt to wade it in a car.
-
you never said a truer word, Steph. There's a TV ad here that shows a woman on the edge of a flooded crossing, and the voice over says 'I don't cross flooded creeks'
Over and over, they play it, and every time lives are lost. Children play near drains and are swept to their death.
what price an extra hour or two, to wait for water to drop? My family and I have waited up to 3 weeks to get out of some towns.
-
We've had record breaking rains here in SE MO, but other areas in the southern part of the state have really had it bad -- and a mother and her small child were killed last week when their car was swept into floodwaters. Lots of flash flooding. One area had 15 inches of rain in 48 hours.
-
We have white water here and idiot kayakers who are trying to use the high water for an extra thrill. I loved kayaking, but not with what is coming down the mountains just now.
-
realize this is not the "proper" place for it, but since there are many more visitors to this forum, I thought I would put a warning here.
I received an E-Mail from my Discover Card account this morning. It did go to the Spam folder, but I looked at it there, and even though it had the correct name, and last 4 digits of the acct. number, something about the logo didn't look quite right. It mention that the Discover "home page" would be changing August 31st, and I could log into it now. WEll, I am a big spam watcher. Seemed funny to me, so I called the phone # on the back of my card, and first person I got, did not know anything about it, i.e. whether or not they had sent an email detailing changes. So they connected me to "Security" and I read it to the lady, and she gave me an email address to "Forward" it to: emailwatch@discover.com so they could check the validity of it. Now, it may be real, but my Discover notices do not usually get sent to my Spam folder. This is just a "heads up" in case any of you have a Discover Card. BE CAREFUL.
-
Thank you, Tomereader. I think there is no such thing as a "proper" place when friends are having a conversation. Your information may save us a lot of grief!
-
I go the email from Discover, also in my spam box, but simply deleted it. I wont answeranything like that.. Simply too risky.
-
I got the same from Discover, but would not use their link for a login. When I do go to that site it's only after I put in their address.
-
Looks like I may have done a teeny bit of good, at least here, by posting my message.
-
Yep, you did gooowd ;) :-*
-
I never answer anything from a bank or credit card company, but go the on line site, that I have in my memory list. Just dont trust emails to me..
-
My mobile phone told me I'd won 999,000 dollars in an overseas lottery !What a shame I had to give it all up and delete the email :'(
Winter is having it's last pound of flesh from me, with some lurgy or other. I feel like death warmed up.
-
That gave me a bit of a giggle, Octavia, as up here in the States we feel like "death warmed over."
Nice, though, that we speak the same language and can understand one another.
Oh, and I am truly sorry that is the state of your being just now. Hope this will be a HAPPY day for you!
-
My mobile phone yesterday told me, I had won a Princess cruise and I should accept. I just hung up..
-
Octavia and Mary Page, :D
Nice catch.
-
I got the cruise one, too. Maybe we could go together, Steph. :D
-
I suppose we have an awful lot in common MaryPage, having the same roots. You-all did confuse me once with taking someone shopping. I would say 'I'll take you over to (insert shopping centre name)' or just 'I'll take you shopping', but I seem to remember you say it quite differently. Also 'in back of' isn't something you'd hear in Australia.
I told my son that my grandma would say 'a dreich day'. I thought dreich was a Scottish word but he pointed out that it was actually Yiddish. We also disagreed on the origin of ketchup. He thought China and I thought somewhere near Thailand. It's Malaysian so I was closest :) You say 'to go' we say 'take away' and on and on. Language is a fascinating thing.
My eldest has been working in London for over 10 yrs and I notice English words creeping into his vocabulary, like 'cooker' for stove.
-
Oh Octavia, I do love the way english speakers start with the same language, but somehow it manages to turn and twist for different countries.. Actually in the US, it turns as you go from one end of the country to the other. Slang is fun.. I have a french friend and she tells me that she can barely understand Parisians, because they use so much slang.. Made me laugh.
-
I have dropped a lot of my British expressions when coming to the U.S. so many were misunderstood. I go back and pick up again. Try not to use American ones when over there. My children when young would come back with a British accent. Had to stop them using a few.
-
I remember when I had a store near Disney, that a lot of South Americans came in.. I had a Puerta Rican employee, who spoke his form of spanish.But many times, he could not transate well for customers because their spanish and his were so different.
-
People think that all South American countries speak Spanish. Many speak Portuguese. I had to have one Employee from. Each country. French. German, Italian. Spanish. We had a person in charge of Personnel who would hire them and then when I would interview would find that for the Spanish one he would hire one who spoke Portuguese. Was embarrassing.
-
Hmm, I thought that Brazil was the only country who spoke portugese..
-
I also harbored the impression, held since school days, that the Demarcation Line pretty much gave the eastern part of SA to the Portuguese and the Spanish got the western part. However, doing some research, I discovered that you are right Steph. Brazil is the only Portuguese speaking country in SA. It also has the largest population in SA.
-
Other small countries speak . I could be wrong but I think one of them.Mozambique one of them. I will check.
I just googled it and it shows 14 main countries have it as their main language . It is spoken on many islands.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Like every merchant who has ever dealt with them, I always think Brazilians.. They are the absolutely worst tourist in all of creation..and of course they are convinced that everyone speaks portugese and it is reallynot a popular language .
-
I was at a loss for something light and enjoyable last night for bedtime reading and found, in cleaning out one of those huge TBR piles, Much Ado About Jessie Kaplan, another in the Paula Marantz Cohen series (there are only three apparently, sigh) about the septuagenarian Jessie Cohen of New Jersey and once again I am totally bemused and unfortunately have read half the book already.
In this one Jessie has moved in with her daughter Carla's family, and has developed some strange symptoms. Is her mind going? What's going on? There is plenty of additional chaos as the family prepares for a bat mitzvah for the daughter.
Mabel (Jean) had originally recommended these books, the writer apparently lives in Moorestown, NJ, (where I grew up), and they are really good. Light, enjoyable, but with themes anybody can identify with, they are like a good gossip with friends.
Just love the books. The author is professor of English at Drexel, and I wish she'd write more of these, she's written a lot of scholarly books but not in this series.
Wonderful light series of three.
-
Glad you are enjoying them Ginny.
-
I just finished "Behind the Scenes at the Museum" by Kate Atkinson. I'm still thinking about it. The time period hits my growing-up years, so although the setting is British, some of the scenes were quite vivid to me. It's not a book I would pick up to read, but a friend gave it to me.
-
I like Kate Atkinson, but have not read that one.
-
Ginny, added the author to me get to know list. Sigh. It does get longer and longer.
-
I usual only reading mysteries or murder books but this week I read a great book,so different. It is by a new author Julie Kibles. .(calling me home) the name of it. Starts early 30s up to current. Racial problem.inter marriage.
-
MaryPage, I think that may be her first book.
-
Mark that author as well. I am finally around to " A Case of Two Cities" bu Qiu Xiaolong.. recommended by someone here. Thus far, I am mostly confused.. Does China really have this sort of majestic public baths and conspicuous consumption??
-
We are starting up the Poetry Page again - the loss of Seamus Heaney is a big loss that only reminded me again of both Fairanna and Babi - both daily contributers to the Poetry Page. Fairanna started the Poetry discussion way back during the early days of SeniorNet -
Fairanna shared as much of her own poetry as she did the poetry written by others - and for about two years we had only shared the poems of one poet a month so that we learned more about the poet and his or her work. Fairanna had featured poets that where new to some of us and we did a month with Seamus Heaney - but more - she and Babi were partial to his poetry and often shared his work.
It seems fitting to honor all three in September - we will be sharing for a month poems and quotes by Seamus Heaney and any poems written by Fairanna that you may have kept in some file on your computer.
-
Not a poetry fan.. I like some, but nothing current. so would contribute nothinto it.
-
I am not a poetry reader. My poetry is rather limited - i.e. "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers..."
Well, actually my favorite poem is Little Boy Blue by Eugene Fields. I simply cannot understand most poetry, and haven't the patience or interest in trying to appreciate it.
Marj
-
Marjifly you might want to peek into the discussion - there are photos accompanying some of the poems and now we are adding uplifting quotes often with photos that enhance the short truths - why not try this earlier page and quickly scroll till something hits your eye and then see what you think...
http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=176.3640
-
mark
-
I have finished Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler. I liked this story of an 89 yr old white woman who is relating the story of her teen-aged relationship with a teen-aged African-American boy in Kentucky and Ohio in the late 1930's and early '40's . She is telling the story to a middle-aged Black woman who has become her friend at the present time. The fear and passion of the young couple and the young man's family is palpable, although a little too romanticized for me. The love and friendship of the two different aged women is told with sensitivity and nuance. It is a story of it's time, both of the 1940's and of the 21st century. It has much drama. I like the characters. This is the debut novel for this author. I hope she writes some more.
It turns out she had heard a family rumor about her grandmother and investigated and based the story on what she learned.
Thank you Jeanne for bringing it to my attention.
......the other Jean :)
-
I wouldn't be interested in the poetry discussion. I used to love poetry - the kind that rhymed and had meter = but iin my humble opinion modern poetry is just essays. The poets aren't willing to make the effort to even follow a meter, let along make words rhyme. The influence of the Japanese haiku has destroyed English poetry.
-
I am on a waiting list for Calling Me Home. It looks fascinating.
-
Steph.
I think you will enjoy it. She is a new author. Just hope she writes more. Not a young person. Some seem to do one book and then vanish .
-
I've just ordered The Return by Michael Gruber.
Gruber is one of the finest writers I have ever had the privilege of reading, albeit I hate his venues and plots. But if you can manage the horrors, oh, oh, the writing! He has a Ph.D. in Biology, of all things!
-
Without a good plot, I tend to give it up. No matter how well you write.
-
Oh, his plots are most excellent. The Washington Post critic raved and raved about this one. It is just that they portray a very violent section of our society, and I find that a bit overwhelming for my preferences. But I learn a lot!
-
OK.. I see. Will have to look for him in my swap club to see how I feel about him in the end.
-
Violence has become a big part of our society now . So in order to know how and why and where it is happening we can't be squeamish. Got to see and read about things. Use to be just movies. Now for real.
-
I'm just 100 pages into Noah Gordon's third book in the "physician" trilogy. This one is Matters of Choice, it has Gordon's great story-telling. The first book The Physician, was set in the Middle Ages; the second The Shaman was a descendant in early 19th century Ohio; this one is a female descendant physician in Massachusettes. All protagonists are Dr R. J. Cole(s). This one is Roberta Jeanne D'Arc Cole :), who is both an attorney and a doc. She defied her doctor father, first by being a GIRL, then by going to law school, but after discovering that she has the occasional appearing "gift" of family members of being able to devine when someone is going to die, she went to med school.
At the beginning of the book she is working at a big hospital in Boston, spending 2afternoons a week at either a family clinic or an abortion clinic. When her personal life changes and the controvsery of her clinic work stymies her hospital career, she contemplates a major career change.
That's a far as i got last night, but i'm enjoying it as much as the other two. I know some of you have read Gordon and will like this book too.
Jean
-
I like Noah Gordon and have not read two of the three mentioned. Will have to check them out.
-
Just finished Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs, she of The Friday Night Knitting Club. It was a fun read about a 50-something woman who had opened a lunchonette after the death of her husband and had been "discovered" by a cooking channel exec and is now in her 12th yr on the air. A young woman is added to the "cast" to pump up ratings and interesting scenarios result from the tension created.
It's a fun, enjoyable book, not bound to be a classic. :)
Jean
-
I was lukewarm about the Knitting club, but that one does soundinteresting.. I just finished a book by Morgan James.. A woman, who is definitely writing about the area I live in in the summer. I think it is either her first or second book, but it is good. Needs tightening, but that is not unusual.
-
Just ordered the new Billy Crystal book.' Still Foolin Em" I liked his last one. Always liked his movies. He was the best one when doing the Awards.
-
Maybe here is a good place to ask.. Who determines Young Adult and adult fiction.. I just read the first of a series that I love and plan on finding more, it is labeled Young Adult, but is a fantasy and quite a dark one at that.
-
Steph, I have often wondered about that. I read the Hunger Games because it was assigned to my 11 year old grandson. I would not have put these books in that age range!
Sally
-
My youngest daughter is 15 and this YA label drives her mad - she feels that anyone jumping on the bandwagon of vampires/dystopian societies, etc grabs the YA tag as a promotional tool. She does read some of the dystopian books (not the vampire ones, can't stand them) but she also reads a lot of 'grown up' literature - I have never censored what she reads in any way, as I think children/teenagers read to their own level of maturity. I and my friends were all reading adult literature at her age because 'YA' didn't exist.
I also question the film certificate system in this country - we recently borrowed "The Kids Are Alright" from the library - it is a 15 certificate here, and in the first few minutes there was graphic sex between a man and a woman, oral sex between the 2 women protagonists, etc etc - I don't know who was more embarrassed, daughter or me. We didn't watch the rest of it, and when I took it back I tried to explain our reaction to the librarian but I don't think she took the point at all.
Rosemary
-
I understand exactly what you are saying. Precisely.
You see, what to our sensibilities portrays a loss of innocence that is painful for us to see in the young, and especially young girls, because WE were well and truly innocent at that age and we feel wistful for those times, seems perfectly alright to the youth of today. It is a given, these facts of life: copulation and four letter words and all of the rest.
I cringe.
I was told by one of my sons that a Billy Crystal/Bette Midlar movie was OK. I like them, so I viewed it on HBO movies recently.
Horrors!
One small, mebbe 7 years old, mebbe younger, child calling his grandfather "Farty." Lots of bathroom jokes.
Me, I just cannot take in living a family life such as they famously film today. I LIKE nice! Take me back to Leave It To Beaver, or whatever. Give me manners and respect for others. And keep your bathroom functions to yourself and your sexual antics behind closed doors.
-
I always liked my mother's (1908-1983) comment about a racy-to-her book she was returning to the library: "I don't mind a little sex, but I don't want an instruction manual." Obviously I've laughed about that for many years - and agree with her.
-
Aha, I will remember that MaryZ, it describes me perfectly..
-
When I was a kid you joined the library, probably had to get parent's permission--I think I went with my mum the first time--age about 7 or 8 maybe, or 9--there was a kids' section but you could go everywhere and borrow anything--you just had to have the nerve to brave the librarian and check it out....! If you didn't (have the nerve), you read it in stages in the library.....I think this YA stuff is bizarre, surely the point of reading is that personal freedom it gives to dabble and choose whatever hits your fancy.....
-
Rosemary, I'm with you! I Netflixed "The Kids Are Alright" and I, this ancient, aged, open-minded woman, only made it as far as the scene with the 2 women. I put the disc back in its envelope and returned it to Netflix. My oldest daughter, had unfortunately bought the DVD, and while she is as open-minded as I (maybe moreso) she gave the disc to me to put in either the library sale, or the charity pick-up! And let's not get into movies whose prime dialog consists of the F-word. We just watched "Argo" and I think it runs a close second to "The Departed" for the use of that word. The Hollywood SAG seems to think these movies merit Academy Award nominations for both movie and actors. I don't.
-
Now at our two libraries the floors are separate ages to 15 are downstairs , computers. Books and DVD. Cards are different colours. Now upstairs after age 16 can get anything you want. Some of what they watch on the computers unbelievable. Library have no way of censoring like can be put on home computers.
Teenagers now are way ahead of what we were. 10 year olds know more than I did at 16 .have seen more ,done more.
-
Isn't that strange--that they segregate the books and under 16 is a different card, how odd....I guess at the library here the kids have their own section but I thought that was because they tend to be a bit noisy and no-one says Shhh any more....come to think of it, I've not noticed kids looking round the "adult" books, but I quite likely don't notice, will keep my eyes open next time I go.
-
Dana, it's a little hard for me to tell seeing that I only volunteer for a few hours, but you may be right. I sometimes wonder if separating the books out like that channel the kids to books at a certain reading level which may not do much to encourage them to take out something slightly more advanced to challenge them. But then, if the child is a reader, I think he/she would start looking further on their own. Most of the kids that come in when I am there are younger and with a parent. I did have one come ask about WWII books about ships. He took three or four home with him.
Our library has a room with sections for tots and early readers up to and including Juniors. The teen book section is out in the main section with the adult books. Our branch is small, covering three rooms. The children's section is one room which is as large as the other two put together. The Librarian shares the smallest room for her office. Naturally, the smallest room covers the non-fiction and a small section for Science Fiction.
-
Our library had a real problem last year. Had to hire security police. Got to be a hanging out place for high school kids from about 14 to 16 . The high school is just 2 blocks away.Some way they have taken care of the problem, they still have a person walk all around the rooms every half hour.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I never had to get permission to get a library card when I was a child. I can remember getting one when I was still in grade school, and doing it entirely on my own. And no one told me what I could or could not read, but then again, come to think on it, I do not believe there were any books in the Winchester, Virginia library with the huge red apple out front and the classical columns as you entered that were full of sex or dirty words. Perhaps the librarian would have stopped my taking out anything inappropriate, but I cannot think what it might have been. I do remember I had picked up a P.G. Wodehouse book at my aunt's when there for a visit and thought it so funny that I stocked up on them at that library. They were way old for me, but I was allowed to borrow them. Bottom line, I think it was a smaller, simpler world then, and the mere fact that I would show up and request a card got me to one quickly, plus there was probably not a thing that was dirty in that whole place, unless it was the National Geographic with its topless jungle natives, and shoot, we got that at HOME and no one tore it out of my hands!
-
I am thinking the raciest thing written at the time was Payton Place and that was in 1956 - I guess there was Forever Amber published in the 1940s oh yes, and Fanny Hill from the eighteenth century and Lolita oh, and Casanova but if we can name them there were not many available to read in the average library - Erotica had its readers but they were not in public libraries - I am remembering the Librarian in Music Man was questioned for reading Balzac which says that until recent years the moral code had racy books hidden and read on the sly. Although, I am remembering some historical romance that had a bit of bodice busting - but then the sun always went down or the moon rose or the waves tumbled.
-
MaryPage -- It is a beautiful library, isn't it? I love to go there, even if I'm not in need of a book!
(http://www.oldtownwinchesterva.com/wp-content/uploads/Handley-Regional-Library-281x300.jpg)
-
My family always had library cards, but Iread everything from an earlyage. My Mom felt I should at least try on most stuff. Occasionally she would look at something I was taking out and say.. "hmm. read it now, but be sure to read it somewhat later again and you will discovere quite a different book.." was quite true.. I remember originally thinking Animal Farm was a book about animals of different types and how they were mean to one another. Read it again as a late teen and realized there was a whole different book involved.
-
Good grief, It looks so much greyer than my memory, Winchester Lady. But that is, indeed, the library from which I got my first card. Back in about 1940. 73 years ago!
By 1948, I was a married woman!
So where is the big red apple? Did they take that away?
I haven't been home for about 8 years now, and will not likely ever get there again.
-
A friend recently told me about her friend, a librarian at our Catholic high school here, who had received a book challenge from a parent. Just in time for Banned Book week. I'm not familiar with the book, but wonder if "they" still try to ban Mr & Mrs Bojo Jones and Go Ask Alice.
"The book title being challenged is My Life Next Door. It has been reviewed by many Young Adult Librarians. It's on the Young Adult Library Services Association's Best Fiction for Young Adults List. The parent admits she hasn't read the entire book, just selected parts out of context. "
It was interesting to note the comments of the president of the Ohio State School Board who wanted to ban Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye because it was pornographic.
Bluest Eye (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/13/ohio-ban-bluest-eye-toni-morrison-school-board_n_3921001.html)
I agree with those who say kids will censor their own reading. JeanneP, were the high school kids causing problems in your library?
-
MaryPage -- There are several big apples around town at various businesses that were painted with scenes for an Apple Blossom contest one year. I'm embarrassed to say I don't remember seeing one at the Library. Did you ever see the photographs and drawings showing the Library from up above? They show that it was built to resemble an open book, with the dome being the spine of the book. Next time I'm in town, I'll look for the apple and report back to you!
-
I got my first library card at age 5. Before that my mother got my books along with me.
Not many can say that they did not sneak a few "Hot Books" around the school when about 14. I remember my elder brother who was Army came back from Egypt and I found one in his bag. Oh! boy. But now after what we can find right on the library shelf along with the DVD. That book would be a bore to most young people.
Read a couple of books that go into raunchy things and thats enough. This Shades of Gray that was the Rage. I read about 30 pages and that was enough. Wonder what the movie will show. Doubt I see it. Not a $8 a shot.
-
Thank goodness I heard enough about the shades of gray not to even start - but essentially it is such a bore - when I first got the kindle there was this special historical novel for .99 around the time of James I that I thought sounded interesting - Oh lordy - between cupping this and stroking that pages and pages of this stuff from castle bedrooms to barley fields with very little story holding the thing together - I was bored out of my skull and would skip pages and pages glancing to see where they were - taught me that historical novels are not what they used to be unless they are worthy of a review. I am depending now on Good Reads more than I would like to sort through much of the fiction, best sellers or not.
-
Just not interested in Shades of Gray and dont plan on the movie either. Silly... and sad if that is your real idea of love.
-
My mom didn't censor my reading. Butl my brother gave me Mickey Spillane's first book I, The Jury which all the kids were reading. I was dumb enough to leave it lying about, and mom picked it up, read it, gasped, and tossed it into the furnace.
Marj
-
Banned Book Week starts Sunday. Last year, The Kite Runner and Jennifer Walls' The Glass Castle were among the top ten banned books of 2012.
Banned Book Week, Sept. 22 - 28 (http://www.ala.org/bbooks/bannedbooksweek)
Let's celebrate our freedom to read!
-
How great that our Friends of the Library is having a book sale the same week as Banned Book Week!
-
Marj. So your did read it before she through it away. We were all curious . Now we think it is garbage.
-
Yes, I'm sure my mom read my Mickey Spilane book before she destroyed it. I read it again not long ago and it really stunk.
Marj
-
When I was in junior high I asked the librarian for Forever Amber. She told my mother! But I managed to borrow a copy which I put in the book jacket for A Campfire Girl's First Council Fire. How things have changed. It could go on the YP shelves now.
-
I read "Forever Amber" in bits and pieces when I was babysitting for one family and my charges had gone to bed. More than once, I heard the parents coming home and scurried to get it back on the shelf.
-
I can't believe The Kite Runner was banned! Whyever was it banned? My goodness gracious me, that is one of my favorite all time books! What was in it that it was banned?
-
Oh I loved Glass Castle.. What a wonderful book. Horrible parents, but wonderful book.Thank heaven, my Mother was into.. you want to read it,, do it, but ask me about what you dont understand.
-
MaryPage....apparently challenged often, but never really banned. Two sites with info:
http://www.shmoop.com/kite-runner/
http://muwww-new.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/books/kiterunner.asp
The Kite Runner
2013
Challenged as optional reading in the 10th grade honors class at Troy (PA) area schools because the novel depicts a rape in graphic detail and uses vulgar language.
2012
Challenged, but retained as part of Senior Advanced Placement English at the Valley High School in Jonesboro (AR). The issue arose after two patrons disapproved of a scene depicting male-on-male rape, sexual innuendo, and vulgar language, as well as religious content throughout the book. Challenged as optional reading in the tenth-grade honors class at Troy (PA) Area Schools because the novel depicts a sodomy rape in graphic detail and uses vulgar language.
2009
Challenged as appropriate study in 10th grade honors English class at Freedom HS in Morganton (NC) because the novel depicts a sodomy rape in graphic detail and uses vulgar language. Retained in the Jackson County School District (Marianna, FL) after being removed from the required reading list for one class. The school board voted to retain the book in the library by a vote of five to two. Removed from the reading list at Centennial High School in Champaign (IL) due objections from a parent whose child was assigned the book for summer reading. Challenged in Burke County schools in Morgantown (NC) by parents concerned about the violence and sexual situations portrayed in the book.
2008
Challenged as appropriate study in 10th grade honors English class at Freedom HS in Morganton (NC) because the novel depicts a sodomy rape in graphic detail and uses vulgar language.
-
2years ago they Even had to take "Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn." Out of the school library's .say because of the N.. Word. Yet I have read many books this month were it was used all the way through.
-
You know, those challenges against The Kite Runner astonish me, because the truth is that the hero in the story travels all the way from America to his old home in Afghanistan to find his half brother's child. A boy of, what? Seven or nine or so; I do not remember. The child had been stolen by bandits of a type that actually exist and used as a dancing boy/toy boy by men who would have eventually killed him when they tired of him. And this type of thing really goes on over there. It is real life. And considering what the hero of the book goes into and the people he meets while he is trying desperately to save this nephew, you would EXPECT bad language. No one hates violence more than I. No one hates bad language more than I. Yet I, sensitive as I am, thought these graphic chapters realistic and my heart was comforted when the hero DID rescue the child and take him home with him to America. So, in my estimation, if the bad parts were so quickly forgotten by THIS prude, and I do mean me, then I do not see how anyone could complain. The book was as real as the sun coming up and going down. Sure it was fiction, but it was fiction based upon fact. We ALL need to know these facts and know what is going on in this world in the way of child slavery.
-
What astounds me is they are more upset over sex between men and men and boys then they are about the stoning to death of a women buried up to her shoulders in dirt in an arena crowded with onlookers. They talk about their stomachs turning and other ways they are horrified over male sex but not a word about possible shivers over the stoning to death of a woman - that said to me they are simply bullies trying to control the environment of their children - they are not really horrified about the brutality that their children must be kept in the dark about.
-
Oh Barbara, you said that SO well!
I don't think they fill the holes with dirt. I saw a video once, honest I did, right on our television, that had been taken by phone surreptitiously by someone and spirited out of the country while the Taliban were the government of Afghanistan. The woman, in a burka, was taken out of the back of a pickup truck and put in a hole in the stadium and then the crowd watched while men picked up stones from a pile and stoned her to death. Then the body was pulled out of the hole and dumped on the floor of the back of the pickup.
-
There must be a special hell for people who stone or otherwise torture any humanbeings or animals.
-
There is a film about that -- The Stoning of Soraya M. I've had it on my Netflix queue for a long time, but can't bring myself to really wanting to watch it.
Set in 1986 Iran at the start of Khomeini's reign, director Cyrus Nowrasteh's drama tells the true story of Soraya (Mozhan Marnò), whose husband plots to have her falsely accused of adultery so he can divorce her and marry a young girl. French journalist Freidoune (Jim Caviezel) is pulled into Soraya's tragic story when he meets a desperate woman named Zahra (Shohreh Aghdashloo).
Netflix
-
I cannot imagine the evil that this causes. Islamic causes will never get a penny from me since I truly feel that they put women done at everyopportunity.
-
In the October 2013 issue of National Geographic there is a photograph of a 40 year old Afghan man sitting next to his bride.
I would title the picture: THIS CHILD IS ABOUT TO BE RAPED!
Because, you see, she is eleven. 11. Years old.
I think it is on Page 76 if you want to run and have a look.
The world should scream!
-
There was a lot of pictures all over facebook. It seems it is actually the custom in Yemen.. Another country that I would never visit in a million years.
-
The discussion of "Persuasion" starts tomorrow. come join us here:
http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?board=167.0
-
Not a fan of Jane,, but the Novemberselection sounds neat.
-
How disappointing not to agree with you on this, Steph, as we are so very often on the same page. Ah well, like snowflakes we are no two of us exactly the same.
-
MaryPage... I used to be a Jane fan, but somehow in the past few years,she stopped being so important to me.. One of those things.. I am staggering along just now with Isabel Dalhousie?? No plot thus far that I can see.. Not sure why I started it. I have a note that I did not like his African series and read at least one other Isabel and was not impressed..
-
Finished John Jakes "The Outlaw." It's one of the Kent family series set between the end of the Civil War and the 1890s. I like hisbooks just because he involves his characters in real events happening during the period. Sometimes it almost becomes too much, but i still enjoy them.
This one focuses on 3brothers, one is the "outlaw" in the west, sort of a Wild Bill Hickok character, another was in the Civil War -the family lived in Va during the war and therefore were designated as "rebels" - and he is angry about his experiences. He's become an expat and a painter in Paris. The third has started a pro-union newspaper -as in labor union- in the North, but eventually takes over the more mainline family paper in NYC, but continues to have progressive leanings.
Jakes speaks about the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, which was interesting to me. I wondered if the great Phila Art Museum had been built for that, since it is near Fairmount Park where the Expo was held, but i discovered in researching that there was an Art Hall build, but the Art Museum of today was built later in the early 20th century. That's the building w/ the famous steps from the Rocky movie of the 70s.
It was a fun read.
Jean
-
I thought I had read "hotel at the corner ofBitter and sweet"but must have returned it unread. So that is what I am reading now.
-
I'm reading Stephen King's UNDER THE DOME, along with a couple other books from other authors. I usually have about three going at the same time. Under the Dome is about a little town that is suddenly enveloped in a force field that prevents people from leaving the town. Keeping me turning pages--it's a biggie, over 1,000 pages. I hear the TV mini-series made from it really stinks. Too bad, Altho' King must be very rich from his books and all the movies made from them.
Marj
-
I loved the Hotel at the corner of bitter and sweet. I believe the author has a new book out.. Think I saw it in Bookmarks, Not quite sure today.
-
Steph, have you gotten back to FL?
-
I am currently reading Song of Willow Frost, the new book out by Jamie Ford (Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet). I loved Hotel and so far, am really enjoying Willow.
Sally
-
Thanks for telling us about that, Sally. And please let us know how you liked it after you have finished reading it. I, too, loved The Hotel On The Corner of Bitter and Sweet, and will buy this one in a heartbeat if you give a good report.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
MaryZ, yes I am back inFlorida, but thus far,not happily. But life seems to be straightening out.. Songs of Willow Frost.Hmm, made a note.
-
Nobel Prize In Literature 2013: Canadian Author Alice Munro Honored With Prize
Posted: 10/10/2013 6:59 am EDT | Updated: 10/10/2013 7:36 am
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/10/nobel-prize-literature_n_4076481.html
-
Just finished. "Hotel at the corner" think will buy that as a keeper.cant wait to read his "song of willow frost." No library seems to have it yet. The seem to have slowed down on buying new books.
-
Yes, it has not hit my paperback swap club either.. Darn.
-
Shades of too many books. I found I have three Alice Munro collections on my shelves and have dabbled a bit in each, but not completed any. I did not read the one from the discussion this past summer, but have it in one of the books -- "The Bear Came Over the Mountain." I just saw somewhere that it has now come out as "Away from her," which is the name of the film based on the story.
My town is going crazy over the filming of Gone Girl. They'll be here about six weeks, good for business, and they like us and we like them. They've used a lot of community folks as extras, some that I know. And, the other day the Book Gorilla (Amazon) had the Kindle version for less than $5, so I bought it. Now just to find the time to read it and see which group I'm a part of here -- the likes, or the not likes. 8)
-
Glad your town is making money and having fun with the film crew. I am an anti gone girl.. I hated it.
-
Was a long waiting list for gone girl.my name came up to download to my Ipad but I just let it go. Will wait for the movie.
-
I just hated GONE GIRL, as well. Will not see the movie. Funny, but it seems to be a book that inspires absolute hatred or great admiration and even love.
Me, I just could not stand the people. I like to read about people I can relate to. When I am following what is going on in someone's head, I like it to be the thinking of someone who is at least trying to be a decent human being.
-
That's interesting about being on the waiting list to download, JeanneP. I assume this was at your library. Are they limited in how many times they can download a certain title?
-
My library also has waiting lists for certain books to be downloaded; as well as a limit on how long the book can be kept.
Sally
-
My small town library belongs to a consortium of libraries in NE Iowa and there are also only so many digital copies of books available, and so a wait list. This is also common with print books. There are only so many available and one has to wait for her turn.
At one time the big publishing agencies tried to make it so that only 26 people could borrow a digital copy before the library or library group had to buy that digital "license" again. I don't know if this is still the case or not.
-
Here's part of what I found this morning:
The elephant dinosaur in the room
Once you get past the technical hoops of connecting your library to your e-reader, you’ll figure out fast that publishers have decided to force libraries to treat e-books like paper books, so only one person can check them out at a time. The library can only check out as many copies of an e-book as they’ve purchased or licensed from publishers. Seems like an antiquated way of going about things, right? It gets worse.
Publishers also decided that since e-books don’t wear out the way paper books do, they need to put limits on how many times a title can be lent before the library has to buy a new copy. For some publishers, the e-book “wears out” after 26 uses. Other publishers put a time limit on it, allowing a library to loan an e-book for a year before having to renew what amounts to a license fee. The publishers that still allow libraries to buy an e-book and loan it out forever without restrictions often charge a very high price for each book.
Publishers just don’t seem to like the idea of e-book lending at all. Despite all of the data about how libraries help with book discovery and lead to greater recognition for books, and more sales, publishers and other people in the book business still balk at the idea of people getting access to books for free.
Read more: http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/e-book-library-lending-broken-difficult/#ixzz2hbk8NVO1
-
Libraries pay a lot more for digital books.. than we do..
-
When I was still working, libraries used to (I don't know current pricing) pay a lot more for magazine subscriptions. Since so many people used them, the publishers would charge a lot more.
-
Interesting that Libraries will not take as a donation a used copy that is only a week old after I read it - that could be one more source that does not cost them - do they really think a publisher would visit each branch to assure they only had copies of the magazines they send.
-
The libraries here accept books and magazines that are donated, as long as they meet the guidelines established by the Board. Our library has a room to sell copies of books they no longer need and old magazines are set out for free. [The Library used to be able to let the Friends sell the books; Atty General said NO...these are bought with public funds and cannot be given to a group who sells them and then controls "public funds $$." So...we have a coffee room with shelves to sell these multiple copies no longer needed, etc. and people can donate to either it or to the Friends collection which then is offered for sale 2x a year.]
Accepting things for either addition to the Library or for the sale room is determined by the Librarian, according to the guidelines as I said above. Magazines/books put out by various religious sects are often not accepted, nor are books/magazines that are of no benefit to anyone in a public library setting (books on raising hogs from the 1940s and full of mold from being in someone's attic or basement, for example).
Every library, of course, has its own governing board and guidelines. You might want to ask to see the guidelines for accepting donations.
-
My library will not take National Geographic magazines, no matter how good shape they're in. The library says it gets overloaded with them.
The current issues of available magazines are displayed on rack. Back copies of the current year on a shelves behind the racks. I don't know what happens to them after that.
The FOL sale often includes books that have been culled from the library collection because they are "no longer available". This decision is based on the number of times the book has been checked out over a certain number of years.
-
I used to try to donate my copy of House Beautiful and House and Garden - even tried to donate my copy of the British published House and Garden that by virtue of mail was always two months late by the time I received it but no acceptance - never knew to ask the guidelines but it appears donations are not part of this cities support - to drive clear out to the Library in Burnet, just under an hour away, in order to donate seems like a lot of donation
-
National Geographics are, often, a problem. People sometimes want to donate years and years of them...and want a paper from the Librarian so they can take a tax donation. In this day and age, they're worthless, generally. Kids can get all they want in content from the internet. There might be nursing homes or shelters that might be interested in them for their waiting areas or for craft projects.
-
Our library doesn't usually accept magazines as donations, unless it's actually a subscription; however, we have a spot in the vestibule where people can put magazines out for others to take for free, and it's a good way to recycle them.
As for book donations, even if the book is free, there is a cost to process and catalog books, so a book definitely has to be one the library feels is of value to the patrons.
-
There wasa longer waiting list for "gone girl " for the book . I decided to get on the I list. That didnt take long. They then e.m you when can download.you have 3days to do it and 2weeks to read. I was out of the mood. So cancelled and next person can have it. One can reorder.
It is quite a expense for the library. I have noticed the drop in reg. new books on the shelves. Specially in LP that I prefer to read. I mentioned it to them the other day and they explained part of the reason. I can see another change coming one day. Will be no more Free libraries cards for people out of the city if part of their taxes not going to them. I pay for my card . Have for last 15 years prior to that it was free. I do get a senior discount. I am 2ft outside the city limit.
-
Our county stopped funding magazines, so the Friends of the Library took this on. We ordered over 50 magazines for the library ( regular prices thus far). We have a small comfortable reading area with the magazines and newspapers and it is really being used. The friends are happy about finding a useful way to donate our hard earned funds.
-
Just finished The Spirit of Covington by Joan Medlicott. It turned out to be one of my favorites of the Covington series. A lot of drama, well-written drama and a lot of her excellent writing of women's thinking and emotions.
I got another of JM's books at the library, but not a Covington book. I've just started it, but she is writing a great story of a woman who is recently widowed and the emotions she is having, including refusing to say "My husband died", but instead "when/since he left". The title is Come Walk With Me.
Jean
-
I read the first 4 of the Covington series. The Spirit was number four. There are 5 more in the series waiting for me on one of my bookshelves: the one in my private bathroom! Aunt Dimity is in there, as well. Let's see; I have read 10 of her and have 7 more to read, on these bathroom shelves. I call both the Covington and the Dimity comfort books, and I only buy them when they come out in paperback. Life is just too short, and I am very avaricious regarding the books I want to read.
-
not fond of the series, but the stand alone sounds interesting.
-
Jean, the new Joan Medicott that you speak of, about the recently widowed woman, sounds very timely. This article appeared just this week in the New York Times.
No husband No friends (http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/23/no-husband-no-friends/)
Several years ago we read the first in the Covington series on SeniorNet. Being reminded of it brings back memories of Lorrie, who was the discussion leader.
-
Found the Medlicott on my swap club, so its on its way.
-
Steph - you might enjoy Come Walk With Me, or you may hate it. There is a lot of musing about being widowed which you may identify with, or may not wish to be reminded of. But i do think of you since Claire sells her house in Long Island and moves to a condo in - where else - Fla!. At the "moment" she is driving to the Asheville, NC area!! Altho, she is going via Brunswick and Savannah, which seems to be out of the way to me. :)
I do like how insightfully JM writes about human thoughts and emotions and she writes very natural humor, just as it hapoens in our lives, not contrived in the keast.
Jean
-
OH boy do I recognize that - only I did not sell I simply converted my house into a bunker that I really cannot afford to stay here - then on top I have to live in secret because when folks learn it was a divorce at age 60 for the horrendous reason that no one wants to hear, they have a quick judgmental assessment of me so that isolation moved from being a middle name to a first name - I have only two old friends where as none from my early life can talk to me without expressing disbelief in the truth and my newer friends are in their own private bunker so like moles we stick our heads up to see the seasons change - I try to keep breathing fresh air by working but my aging energy loss is keeping me more encased in my bunker rather than out mixing with those who could benefit from my expertise. Sheesh
I keep searching for courage and examples of how others live a full life - and this morning hoping to see Washington Week in Review that I missed Friday night I was early and our local PBS had a great show about living bold that it turns out the show has a currently active web site - Lots of folks living full lives featured on the web site.
https://growingbolder.com/
-
Sending you a big, long hug, Barbara.
-
Barb,,,NOOOOO.. Please please promise me to leave the bunker. embrace a new world..stick your chin out and go ahead.. It is terribly terribly hard, but I can attest that it is worth it in the end.
Asheville, yes, an alternative way to Asheville would be Brunswick and Savannah, then go west from there. Not a straight path, but a pretty one. I love Savannah.
I have air..... tile laid, grouted... stupid oven door fell off, so someone is coming to look at it today. I suspect I am now a top member for the Home Warranty community to never insure..
I ordered the book, because there are so many ways to be a widow, I am always looking for ideas on how to set up the rest of your life.
-
I'm liking Come Walk with Me more as i get into the book. I'm more then half-way thru. JM writes wonderful questions that her characters ask of themselves which this reader can't help but ask of herself. I love that. Not that i have answers, mind you. :D
Barb, as i said to Steph, you might like this book, or you may hate it. I'm surprised to read your post since in your other postings you sounded as tho you were very busy and involved. Perhaps that's one of the nice things about SeniorLearn, we only need to speak to issues we want to and can stay in our "p.j's" while doing it. If you want to, i hope you find something to lead you out of the bunker.
Sometimes those stories about people doing "amazing things" can be more depressing then uplifting, at least to me. It seems as tho they meet the right people or have the right circumstances emerge when they need them. Actually if there is one thing that i'm not sure i like about JM's books, it's how often that happens to her characters, i.e. The Covington women and their circumstance, (who of us would not love to have such good health and 2 such friends, and their independence and freedom to make choices) but of course, authors have to move the story along.
Jean
-
ah and yes while out and about you can still be in your bunker as if peering at the world - it is all covered over so as not to elisit unwanted concern or attention. And when there is nothing pressing as there can be for a few weeks in a row each month my Wednesday night dinner with my one dearest friend gets me out of my bunker - been working on this and finally - it took so long - got past all the unexpressed anger and rage (no place to release so I ended up turning on my self) -
Forgiveness - I have never been able to wrap my head around this so I have been letting God take care of that one but at least now that he is dead I do not have to pick the kids up from their entanglement - never did any bargaining but spent years and years in Therapy and 12 step programs and, and, and, in addition to reading and learning everything I could including books on the use or mis-use of power and tons on renewing a sense of God that works -
Took me over 20 years to accept there was nothing I could do and that I was not incompetent for not seeing signs - I learned part of the sickness is to be secretive and act in stealth. The thrill of conquest fooling other family members keeping them in the dark.
I was able to forgive the owner of the brokerage who fired me after I had to tell my manager since I was in such bad shape I was not coming to office meetings and planned on being in a center in Canada for a month. Took me awhile to accept that in the mid 80s it was still a taboo subject affecting the companies reputation and the sensibilities of the other agents. Also, forgave old friends, who I realize since many had their girls in the Girl Scout troop he led for them to acknowledge what happened scared them so much they had to make believe I was making it up. Still struggle with my sisters not wanting to accept reality. Since I was a substitute mother for them I am sure they feel vulnerable but I keep thinking come on we are supposed to be adults now. Ah so... more work for me...
I continued to work and was doing pretty well till about 4 years ago with first Temporal Arthritis and then the injury to my leg that actually injured my spine - being housebound again and the whole thing came pouring back - this time there is enough written help that is making it much easier. I am actually in an emotional stronger place so that I was able to uncover many many ways I am my own worst enemy - my daughter and I have gone through hell again as she is also in a place where we can work on stuff since both boys are away at collage - not fun but again we are really getting someplace. Lots of tension that we tried to hide all these years as she was being a Mom. Daughters do not want to believe that their mom was blinded or did nto pick up on hints and then ingrained without realizing are all the lies told to her - we are all raw it is like an atom bomb that goes off in a family.
And so where I understand the reaction of others it is still not something you can say when folks are bringing up their issues as a result of being widowed or even those who divorce - I wall off and that makes me feel isolated knowing I can not be authentic - certainly it explains why I kept Amazon in business - I really could easily insulate my house with books - they are piled high all over - they have been my solace and my barricade.
I did finally un-tape the front door this summer - the excuse really was very plausible - when a norther blows in the wind really does force wide open that door - if I am napping or in bed for the night I only realize when the house is cold. Then I decided the tape helped to insulate any hot air in the summer - ah so how we can be crazy in order to hide.
I persevere and keep working on this - too bad such trauma to learn as much as I have these years and for that I am grateful - I am grateful I have pretty good health and can still have a full life - I am at the point where I am not sure how I want to proceed - they say you are as sick as your secrets and yet, I have learned over and over folks do not know how to handle close up and personal what is uncomfortable and most all of us, including me are tired and turned off by all these exposés written because some are famous and some want to use their experience to be famous - in other words still has the capacity to shock and awe.
I simply see it as some of us are given limbs that do not work or illness that the cure is elusive or eyes that do not work and some of us have family relationships that are sick - we all attempt to cure ourselves -
-
Ah Barb, I agree about counselling. I would not be here and happy(mostly) if I had not gone into counselling.. Anger is such a terrible weapon..
-
Come Walk with Me has lots of family members being quiet about the death of a young brother and the impact on the whole family. Every body was assuming the motivations of other family members who were not talking, all were wrong. We do really see the world from our own tiny perspectives, don't we? That's only natural.
Jane Medlicott also does a nice job in her novels of having women contemplate whether they wish to get married again. In the Covington series Grace ( spoiler alert) decides she prefers just a relationship, not marriage. Claire in CWw/M has to contemplate a similiar decision. I have often said "I am not "training" another husband if anything happens to this one." ;D
Jean
-
it does strike me that long term married people.. might find it hard to try and adjust to someone elses habits.
-
I have searched on line at my library for any Joan Medicott books. None showing, yet I thought she had written a lot. Will be over there today and will check further.
Would like to find. "No Husband No friends." Without really noticing it after living single for 47 years. Working big part of them I now realise that all my friends are gone. Lost 7 in just a year and half. Even the ones I worked with last 20 years. have passed. Gotten that I hate to open that part of the paper anymore.
I do fine. lots keep me busy but no longer getting out much. My daughters and family live miles away. I love the area I have lived in all these years. Hate the thought of ever leaving it. Enjoy my home. Like living alone and being a private person. So moving would not be the thing to do. So we have choice. Move or Make a life for yourself that you can still enjoy. Try to stay healthy. busy. And enjoy your time.
-
My mistake. I found 3 Joan Medlicott books and ordered them. I was spelling her name wrong. Looking forward to reading them. Did not find. No husband No friend.
-
Got the book on widows from Medlicott.. But today was devoted to a ladies luncheon in my new house area. I live in Kings ridge in the village of Huntington,, all of this is of course in a small town inFlorida.
-
Once I found the 3 books and got them from the library I found that I had read 2 of them years ago. This is happening a lot these days. Got to start making a list .
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Oh me, yes. I do wish I had been more organized with my reading years ago. I tend to think I have never read an early book of an authors and then realize that I do.
Amazing. I was reading a James Swain, picked up the paper and saw where Jim Swain( an author) lived down close to Tampa and was involved in some sort of neighborhood association .. Same person for sure.
-
Hi where is everyone?
I am very bush trying to get over a bad fall so that I can get ready for the next one.
I hate to say this but I pick most of my books now from the Kindle library. Very few of the authors are familier
I read the comments and if it gets rave reviews I pick the book. Very few I pay full price for.
Last night I clicked on free Kindle books there was 56,000 of them.
I read aa book called Orphan Train and it was very good. True story.
-
I've been wondering the same thing -- where is everyone? For the past year, I've been reading most of my books on Kindle. I have arthritis in both of my wrists and the Kindle is much lighter than most books. Plus it gives me the added benefit of being able to read in bed late at night without waking my husband. Right now I'm reading "Life After Life" by Kate Atkinson. I had heard so many good things about it, I decided it was time to give it a try. The storyline is very unusual. But after a couple chapters, I find that I' really enjoying it.
-
I just bought a strange looking book pillow. It looks like a cone shaped cap and is slanted with an angle that holds kindle or books at just the right angle. It also has a pocket that can hold glasses or a pen. Right now it is sitting on my dining table with with Kindle snuggled in! I think I will really find it useful. Arthritis in my hands and thumbs was making it uncomfortable to hold book/kindle long and this seems to work great.
Sally
-
Kindle wise, it is a lot easier for me to read when one of my cats wants face time. Lucy especially likes to dive under my book or Kindle and push it away with her nose so she is literally in my face. I can maneuver the Kindle and turn pages with one hand and still keep my two critters happy.
-
I love the mental pictures of the two cats and the Kindle.. My fingers are starting nasty arthritus.. Ugh.. But I still love real books. I have an IPAD and use it for all sorts of things,download books, but then read them when I travel..etc.
-
I do know what you mean about arthritis in the fingers. Osteo arthritis has bothered me more there than in any other place in my body, and believe me when I say it has struck everywhere.
One day in the summer of 1999 I was sitting at my computer at work. I retired from my full time job in 1998 and was asked to come back part time by a previous employer. So, for only 12 hours a week, I did. This particular day, I suddenly felt pain in my left little and ring fingers. I looked down at them, and the little finger was all a bright beet red and swollen. The ring finger was BLACK! Black and swollen. Scared me to death, it did! And Oh, the pain.
Well, the colors went away, and the swelling slowly subsided. Since then, they sometimes swell up and hurt, as do other fingers, but never that bad. Sometimes, many times now in all of these years, the fingers swell until they get little splits in the skin that sting like paper cuts. The fingers look for all this world as though I took a little sharp knife and cut tiny slits in them! But rest assured, I never have done so. The cuts are caused from the swelling.
So for years I have purchased any number of thingamajigs to hold my books. My main effort is lots of little pillows all around, all around in my easy chair.
The really, really bad thing is reading a regular size newspaper while the fingers are stricken. The pain can be so excruciating I want to scream, and then the fingers go into spasm and cannot be separated. The newspaper has to be abandoned until that passes. And no, I cannot subscribe to a different version. Our local paper has not modernized in that way as yet. I gave it up for quite a while, but then found I missed too much local town news and too many obits. After two of my best life time friends died and I missed the fact, I resubscribed; and I am glad I did. I really need that paper.
-
MaryPage, I am currently having the "finger" problems you mention, i.e., left little finger just started being swollen and red and tender to the touch, the right little finger and down to the wristbone is not swollen or red, but hurts like blazes! I put various unguents on it, have a glove like thing (doesn't help); finally resorted to taking my Tylenol Arthritis caps. They work pretty good but take so long to take effect. Guess it's just some more "old-itis" that I will have to live with ! LOL
-
A trick that works for my good friend - before she needs to use her fingers she sprays them with WD-40 that is made with fish oil and it works for her - she also uses it on her hip- doesn't last long but it is enough to let her fall asleep when her meds kick in.
-
LOL, i was rcently diagnosed with a herniated disk and, for the first time, arthitis in my spine and hip. I recently had a P-stim battery with electrodes on my ear for four days. It would give an electrical pulse to a group of nerves that effect the parasympathetic system, resetting the brain to reject the pain signals. It worked very well for about two weeks. About 80- 90% of the pain was gone. Then i jinxed myself yesterday. I had to do some laundry. Our washer and dryer are in the basement. That part of our house is from about 1850 and not much has ever been changed including the stairs. The homemade stairs are uneven in risers and the top one is at least 12 inches high. I apparently irritated that disk going up and dowb about three times.
When i mentioned it to DH he said he had talked to a guy who said the arthitis in his knee had practically disappeared when he sprayed it with WD 40!!! I said "bring it on!" I didn't give it a good test because i wanted to be sure to calm the pain, so i also took some tylenol. So i had to laugh at Barb's statement.
I was scheduled to have a second p-stim applied tomorrow, thank goodness.
Jean
-
I go to a highly trained specialist: a rheumotologist. She has given me a prescription for a tube of wonderful non-greasy stuff to put on the fingers, and it works like magic. It is called :
VOLTAREN GEL.
Ask your doctor about it and TRY it! Works for me!
-
I take an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) medication every day - have for years. The rheumatologist changes it every 4-5 years. Voltaren is one I have taken - and it worked quite well for me. Those are medications that you have to take regularly, so the level of medication is maintained in your system - they don't really work on an every-once-in-a-while basis. I see a rheumatologist, but have osteoarthritis. When I have to stop the meds for any reason (upcoming surgery or test), I feel it first in my hands and fingers.
-
Be careful using voltarin with aspirin or any blood thinners. That was one of the reasons i was willing to try the P-stim.
-
I took nsaids for years and years, but then had to quit because I had taken them too long. I cannot remember now the names of all of the ones I took. One I think started with an N, and I took it the longest, and then they switched me to celebrex, was it? And then to something beginning with a V, and that was recalled, and then they prescribed something with a B, and that was recalled, and then my doctor said I had been on them too long and might have harmful effects, so they took me off all of them. Was it naprosin and celebrex and vioox and bextra? Something like that.
-
Sounds like you're running the alphabet MaryPage. :D
Jean
-
I have arthritis in my hands also, especially in the thumbs. Can't grasp the dumbbells I exercise with any more. I had no idea it was so common.
-
Oh, Good Lord yes!
We are just flat out lucky if we have osteo and not rheumatoid.
My daughters in their sixties are already suffering from the osteo.
Can anyone besides me remember that old folks used to call back pains from arthritis "lumbago?"
I can remember my grandmother lying on top of her bed some afternoons when I would come home from school, and I would ask anxiously what was wrong, and she would reply "the lumbago."
I have found for years and years now that it is easier on my hands for me to type than to write with a pen or pencil. Any kind of gripping on to something, including writing, turning something to open it, cranking a window open, ANY type of gripping whatsoever is extremely difficult and often quite painful as well. If I were forced to handwrite a long letter, say, more than just one short paragraph of a couple of lines, it would TORTURE me. Seriously.
-
In the mid-70s i was beginning to have such pains in my hands when writing and in my feet. It was diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis and i started an aspirin routine. Of course no one had heard of fibromyalgia at the time. As i saw docs thru the following years they would inevitably say "you don't look like you have arthritis." Finally in '91 my GP said let's do some more tests. The nurse called to say "Jean, your tests came back negative." I said,"so what the heck has been hurting for 20 yrs!?!" As usual when i need information, i went to the library and actually found a book titled"What if It's Not Arthritis?" One chapter talked about "fibrositis." So, i went to another rheumatologist and he said i had fibromyalgia and i've had no diagnosis of arthritis until a few weeks ago when my "lumbago" flared up. :D and i have it in my back and right hip.
The P-stim worked very well, soothing 80-90% of the pain. I went for a second application today and the pain mgt doc says some people get a year or more of relief after 3 or 4 applications.
I'm reading American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld. I don't remember where i heard about it, it was on my tbr list. About 100 pgs into it and it is pretty good. So far it's abt the young woman's growing up years, sounds like my typical teen-age yrs. She's going to be a president's wife at some point.
http://www.amazon.com/American-Wife-Novel-Curtis-Sittenfeld/dp/0812975405/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1385162303&sr=1-1&keywords=american+wife+by+curtis+sittenfeld
Jean
-
Jean, what exactly is the p-stim and how exactly is it applied? Also, what's the deal with wd40? I have spinal stenosis and degenerative disc in my back. It's getting harder & harder to walk or stand for any length of time.
Sally
-
Pulse stimulation
http://www.biegler.com/pstim.en.html
A small battery is placed behind my ear, the doc tests for the nerve clusters in your ear which is providing the most resistance - pain - and attaches electrodes from the battery to those spots. The electrodes pulse, like seconds ticking off a clock, for 4 hrs and then there is a break for 4 hrs. After two days, i didn't notice it any more. One site i saw said it most simply - it effects the parasympathetic nerve system, stopping the chronic pain return from the brain to the nerves; is a vasodilator; acts as an anti-inflammatory. My doc says it works on the hypothalamus increasing endorphins. I wear it for 4 days and then have a couple days respite and i have now one for a second time. My doc says her patients have done well after 3 or 4 applications. The FDA approved it in 2006.
Jean
-
Jean -- I read American Wife a couple years ago. I thought it was a good read, and, of course, it seems it must be based somewhat on Laura Bush.
-
Jean, what type of doctor administers the pstim?
Sally
-
hmm, I suspect my hearing aids would not be happy with something else in or behind my ear. Voltaren jel helps a bit, with my scars from the accident, but remembering to put it on when I dont hurt is hard. I am developing a form of arthritus in the fingers, but mine is more like needless and a small amount of swelling.
-
salan - my doc is a pain management doc specializing in the spine (can these docs get any more specialized?). She works for a group called Reconstructive Orthopedics. i would think some rheumatologists might know about it.
Jean
-
I've just rediscovered Joan Medlicott's "Covington" books. I read the first three early last year then moved on to something else. Someone in a reading group like this mentioned them and I got interested again. Now I'm reading "The Spirit of Covington" which I think is even better than the first few books.
There's a Christmas book also - A Covington Christmas - that I might just insert in my reading list. -- Nancy
-
Hmm, lose my post yesterday.. Oh well. I am supposed to drive to my older sons on Wednesday and I note that the weather department seems to feel Florida is going to get the storm then.. Hmm.. Must pay close attention.The dogs and I do not need to be blown all over the road.
-
150 pages into American Wife and the writing is very good. I saw some reviews that suggested it's based on Laura Bush, but so far - she's "31" at this point- i see nothing like LB except that she's a librarian who is going to marry a politician who apparently becomes president.
Has anybody read "The Jane Austin Book Group"? Does it go beyond discussing the various JA books and characters? I got it at the library and have read about 50 pgs and it hasn't grabbed me yet.
Jean
-
Jean, I loved the movie; but not so much the book. Usually its the other way around for me, but...
Sally
-
Thats interesting. I remember reading the The Good Wife was about Laura Bush.. Have not read it..Her own autobiography was fun though..
-
Don't forget to get in on the drawing for one of the five very nice hardcopies of PBS' Rebecca Eaton's 25 years as producer of Masterpiece Theater. They are sitting on my dining room table, waiting to be shipped to the five lucky winners. They would make a great gift too for Masterpiece Theater lovers.
TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY before the random drawing! To be included, all you need to do is stop into our Seniorlearn PBS discussion (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=3821.msg209040;boardseen#new) and post on either your favorite PBS production in the past, or something you enjoy watching now. It's that easy! See you HERE (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=3821.msg209040;boardseen#new)!
-
Reading on my iPad.fun but hard to find a pillow for it.
-
I'm really liking American Wife. Good writing, good story. When Alice meets the whole Blackwell clan, it sounds more like a "Jackie Kennedy" character then the reported Laura Bush character. :D Several Princeton roommates from Wisconsin had bought 700 acres on Lake Michigan which they call Halcyon and the families all build "compounds" on their section of the 700 acres. There are a lot of sons, all of the families participate in an annual tennis tournament at Halcyon, the Blackwell mother is in charge of her family in the compound (a la Rose Kennedy). When she asks Alice at their first meeting about her tennis game, Alice answers that she doesn't play. The mother asks incredulously what she does and Alice meekly says she reads, which wasn't well received.
There are dozens of references to specific books throughout the book which you will know and is fun.
Later in the book, Alice's husband Charlie gets too much into his cups which i guess led to the George and Laura Bush connection, along with the librarian background. But i think it's very thin. I won't say any more so as not to spoil it for you.
-
Had a wonderful thanksgiving. Home from the hospital with all my problems "antibioticed" away (I know it was really the Seniornet chicken soup that did it!).
Long story short, I had an infection that had some scary side effects. I was sent to the hospital and pumped full of every antibiotic known to man. they wouldn't let me go until all my "numbers" were normal. Came home cured, except for some minor problems caused by the hospital stay (my daughter said "I'm getting you out of here before they do anything more to you")
But I'm weak as a kitten from being in bed so long. Probably won't post much for awhile, but I'll be here. I felt all the love coming my way from you all, and I treasure it. Love ya.
-
I'm glad you are back JoanK. Speedy recovery.
-
Glad to see you home Joan and feeling better. Hospitals not a place to stay in. pick up things there that you didn't have before.
Were you in over Thanksgiving? If so did they feed you well. Suppose if taking drug then no food taste good to you. Be well for Christmas and make up for it.
-
American Wife! O.k., I got it! In the last 150 pages Charlie Blackwell "becomes" George W Bush! Literally! The author just usurped G W's life at 1980's forward. I'll be careful to not spoil the story for you, but some non-spoiler parts are he becomes president in a close election in 2000 that goes to the courts; Washington is attacked by terrorists; he goes into an unpopular war; his ratings drop; he has Sup Crt Justices to nominate, etc. So i guess because the wife is the narrator people honed in on her as Laura Bush, but it's really Charlie becoming George, Alice stays in her Democratic/liberal mindset.
It is still a good read, but i'm a little disappointed that - in my mind - the author wimped out by just usurping the GWB persona. How uncreative!
Jean
-
JoanK... do take care and be kind to yourself.
-
At the library yesterday i got The Fifth Horseman by Jm Patterson. I don't think i've read that one before. :P; Invitation to Provence by Elizabeth Adler, i know i haven't read that one, but i generally like Adler's books; and Autobiography of us:a novel by Aria Beth Sloss. I don't know her, has anyone read her and that book specifically?
Jean
-
new authors name for me. Let us know what it is about.
-
I just finished Anne Perry's latest Christmas mystery (A Christmas Hope). It was a light read, not much to it; but I still enjoyed it. I am currently reading Fannie Flagg's latest, The All Girl's Filling Station Reunion. I am chuckling out loud at all the antics. I do enjoy her books. I also have but haven't started the latest Sandra Dallas book and the latest Julia Spencer Fleming. What a feast I have !!
Sally
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I really, really loved the latest Julia Spencer-Fleming. Wish I had it to start all over again! Passed it on to my namesake granddaughter, who loves it also.
-
I like Fannie and Julia Spencer fleming.. Can take or leave the others. I have all these new to me authors I am trying to catch up on.Since it is 85 here today, am delving into Dana Stabenows articles, she wrote for the Alaska magazine. Fun.
-
You're on the warm side of this front. We've dropped 10* since this morning. At least we're not getting the ice our daughter in Western KY is getting.
-
Yes, everyone but Florida is having a horrible cold front, but in turn we are going up.. 86 yesterday, which is far too warm to feel Christmasy..
-
We're in the SE corner of TN. It was 42 when I went to bed last night, 38 now.
-
Big D and environs: Ice Storm, no snow, traffic on the freeways, shut down. Miles and miles of 18 wheelers stopped overnight because they can't get up the hills; airport cancelling 1,000 flights, lines of folks in the airport trying to maintain; power outages in various areas; trees iced over and branches breaking; carports collapsing from weight of the ice. It's just hideous, I'll take a snowstorm (minor one, please) rather than this. Stay warm folks!
-
Ouch we are hearing here how Dallas got a whack - no ice for us thank goodness but oh so cold. We are at 28 and it is almost 10:30 in the morning.
-
Another reason not to live in Texas! LOL
Marj
-
Hubby is out trying to get the doors de-iced enough to run the vehicles and defrost the windows!
From now on, even though our winters are mild and usually ice-free, I'm going to keep two cans of De-Icer inthe house so we can thaw the cars. We are having to just use cold water poured on the door frames. So far, got two of them open and running. I had some yard tools propped against the back fence...they are frozen to the fence. Got a laugh outta this one!
-
Ice yesterday (I am in TX hill country), 22 this am, only supposed to warm up to 30 and another cold one tonight. Don't like it!!!
Sally
-
Tome reader
Don't get to much if that de-icer on the car paint.
-
Here it is mid afternoon and it never made it to 30 - The TV weather show Camp Mabry, not far from me at only 29. No ice but no one is out - the streets are empty - I can see across the school yard to Far West which is a busy entry street to the area from MoPac and there has not been a vehicle on the street for over 10 minutes.
-
The Oklahoma ice storm was Thursday and Friday. Still too cold to melt it all off and there are still road warnings out - but most of the main highways are in pretty good shape.
There was a 4.8 earthquake in the OKC area about noon today. Epicenter was about 8 miles southeast of me. Friends a mile or so to the southwest and the northwest of me reported severe shaking with things falling off shelves. I didn't feel even a wobble and nothing on my walls tilted even a little bit. Very strange!
-
I heard Billings, Montana had a wind chill of -37 this a.m. My son and DIL used to live in Montana, i told them to be grateful they are now in NJ.
-
Wow. And here I was complaining how cold it was today here in Southern California as only 57 degrees.
Marj
-
And Florida in mid 80's. no sense to the weather at all.
-
It is unseasonably warm here in Florida and we have the AC on, but it will be cooling soon according to the weather lady.
-
I turn off the ac at night and early morning and then turn it back on around noon.. Maybe tomorrow will be some cooler.. Sigh.. Hard to feel Christmas without a little cooler weather.
-
The Sun the Sun the glorious Sun - boy was I getting cranky in all the dreary cold - the sun - should get into the 50s today - still cold for us but better than the 20s and 30s. No longer in a panic about getting ready - what a difference.
Bought myself a retractable mouse - it is smaller in my hand as well - I understand they do not last long but for now what a treat.
-
A/C, huh? Our heat has been running practically day and night, temps in the 20's overnight and barely 30's during the day. Today the sun is out, yes Barb, I celebrate that also! Most all of the ice is off the streets, some houses' roofs are now clear, the trees are in awful, terrible shape, with limbs and whole large sections broken off. Plants and hedges still crystalline with ice. The sound of chainsaws echoing down the street from me. Trash bins lining the sidewalks, since no pick up was available last week. They are promising "soon". So many trees to pick up will probably delay that. Snow, I can handle, pure ice is a hazard to both nature (trees/shrubs/plants/animals) and mankind (traffic/stalled/wrecks/falls and frostbite). Hope and pray we are through for a good while.
-
Barb, what does retractable mean in a mouse?
-
the cord or line or whatever it is called retracts to just the length you need for the mouse to freely slide on the pad with no extra wire or cord or line in the way - I saw that you can now get retractable speakers - would love to see this for all the extras that we plug in - all those wires draped all over the back of my desk drive me up a wall.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIPk4DAkG0Q
-
Hey, Barb - a wireless mouse is even better. ::)
-
Yes, I had one but I kept loosing it - I would without thinking take it with me and so like my phone I kept loosing it - at least the phone I could call myself and find it and so for me things attached do work better. It is the same with my car keys - home it is in the garage and I forced myself to leave them in the cup holder but out it is another story - if they got into my purse the whole purse ends up being dumped and then sometimes they are not there after checking all my pockets I'll find them hanging off my lock box key which is bigger than most cell phones and in a leather case - it is these little tasks that you do without thinking that get me every time.
-
I have had wireless mice for years, but never thought of picking it up and taking it with me.. The mental picture of your purse was funny..
-
Barb, you remind me of one of our teachers from some years back. She was always losing her keys . . . and other things. One time she advertised in the newspaper -- two diamond rings, LOST, somewhere in town. She found them about six months later -- in her golf bag.
Weatherwise it looks like we're the three bears minus one -- too hot, too cold, nothing's just right. I haven't driven in a week, and out only twice, when someone picked me up. My lovely next-door neighbor shovelled my walks and driveway -- we had 7 to 10 inches. It's the ice that's scary -- and my driveway from h . . . shared, long, narrow between two houses.
Jean, thanks for the post about American Wife -- I've put it on my TBR list, bearing in mind that the author "wimped." Sounds like it might be a fun read.
I love my wireless mouse, even though it eats batteries. My retractable, for the laptop, somehow got stuck and no longer retracts or stretches.
Have been reading Gone Girl forever and am getting sick of it. Too many alternating chapters, he says, she says, and two many flashbacks. Seems like it would be difficult to make a movie out of it. I'm finding much of the language, and descriptions to be extremely distasteful.
-
I hated Gone Girl, but I love, love, love my wireless mouse and it does not eat batteries. I'll bet I don't have to replace them once a year!
-
hahaha I don't think Gone Girl is Christmas or Holiday Fare. :)
I was so disappointed in one of my Christmas mysteries in the big anthology of Christmas Mysteries from B&N which I have really been enjoying, it turned ugly and that's not what I'm in the mood for. I'm sure the ending was meant to be poetic justice but the theme: 80+ year old woman living alone, it seems very realistic, hears carolers and the rest is very unpleasant. Don't need that this time of year. What is it about this time of year that you really would like to see and read about some kindness? Or happy endings. This one had neither.
-
I finally finished the new Elizabeth George, One Evil Act. It went on forever and really wasn't very good, but I wanted to see how she resolved the mess her character was in. I don't recommend.
-
Oh Dear, I love Elizabeth George, but whichcharacter?
-
I have not read one single word of Elizabeth George's since she killed off Helen. I thought she was off her rocker then!
-
The entire book is devoted to the misadventures of Barbara Havers. I have liked Barbara in the past, and to some extent identified with her perpetual dishelvement, but this is way too big a dose. The book just goes on and on and on.
-
The list of the best crime novels of 2013 has come out, and here it is:
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
Harvest by Jim Crace
A Man Without Breath by Philip Kerr
The Hired Man by Aminatta Forna
Every Contact Leaves a Trace by Elanor Dymott
The Infatuations by Javier Marias
Visitation Street by Ivy Pochoda
The Uninvited by Liz Jensen
The Andalucian Friend by Alexander Soderberg
Gods and Beasts by Denise Mina
Denise Mina is the only author I know well here. I have heard of Kerr.
I also want to read Empress Dowager Cixi by Jung Chang. Non-fiction. I have read an awful lot about her before, but it is always fascinating and delicious.
-
Oh me, I like Barbara, but a whole book.. Hmm.
-
A great big long book! I bought two copies because both daughter and daughter in law asked for it for Christmas birthdays.
-
My bed book just now is the Much Ado about Jesse Kaplan.. not a mystery at alll, but sort of fun.
-
MaryPage, I'm with you -- haven't read any Elizabeth George since she murdered Helen. Helen was one of my favorite characters. Maybe some day, but not one that goes on and on and on. It seems like more books are doing that, and I foolishly bought one. But Amazon had Donna Tart's The Goldfinch on sale for Kindle for one day at $1.79. It's 755 pages. We'll see. It's been on some Best of 2013 lists.
Right now I want something that doesn't require much from me. And after Cutting for Stone (which I loved) and Gone Girl (which I did not), I do not want to see the F word or read anything about any bodily functions. Breathing and blinking are okay.
-
Pedlyn, I agree. The trouble is it is so hard to find books without the f-word these days.
-
oh you too pedln - for awhile I was off current fiction - enough is enough - as the saying used to be "get a life" and for the language, as I learned in school if your vocabulary is so limited than the easy to repeat words is just showing your 'intelligence' - in High School Father Hugh showed us a great chapter in some book that was filled with such descriptive insults we used to have fun tossing a few around that we remembered while laughing the entire time but they were doozies.
-
Told ya .... Gone Girl is not for our age group.. I persevere with Elizabeth George, but not sure why. The last one I read had Linley having an affair with a poisonous woman.. Ugh.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Pedln wrote, "I do not want to see the F word or read anything about any bodily functions. Breathing and blinking are okay."
I don't mind books with the F word if the writing is good and it's about people who normally talk that way. I did read a mystery by a female author who used the word too often, mainly I think to show she could write like a male, but her writing was awful, and not just because of the F word.
Marj
-
Gosh, Steph, don't know what your age group is, but mine is 80, and I really liked Gone Girl -- found it fascinating..
Marj
-
Did y'all see where Peter O'Toole at 81 died today - he was one of my favorites and did not realize although nominated 8 or 9 times he never received an Oscar. Just watched an old interview he did with Charlie Rose - a very self possessed articulate man.
-
Yes, I was sorry to hear about O'Toole's death. I watched his films Beckett, Lawrence of Arabia, The Lion in Winter several times over the years. A great actor.
Marj
-
My ftf reading did Gone Girl a couple of months ago. Most of us did not like the book at all. The group is ages 60-94. The 94 year old recommended it--go figure!
Sally
-
I'm reading John Grisham's new one, Sycamore Row. Liking it a lot - Grisham does write a good yarn.
-
I've had that one on my list but there are too many to read before I get to him - maybe in the later part of January. I too like him.
-
I just recently finished Grisham's Sycamore Row and I agree with you, MaryZ, it was a good read. Only fault I found was I wish it had been a bit shorter, but it kept me turning pages. I also liked his recent The Litigators and The Racketeer.
I just read a review of a book I want to read by Joe Hill, NOS4A2. The book's description says, "A 140 year old man, Charles Talent Manx, has a way with children. He likes to take them for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the NOS4A2 vanity plate. With his old car, he can slip right out of the everyday world, and onto the hidden roads that transport them to an astonishing – and terrifying – playground of amusements he calls “Christmasland.” Now that sounds like a fun Christmas book to read -- no boring sentimental stuff here! lol (Joe Hill, as you probably know, is Stephen King's son -- a chip off the old block)
Marj
-
Marj -- Like you, I loved Gone Girl (I'm 64), but I think we're in the minority here. I just finished reading Life After Life by Kate Atkinson. It is the best book I've read all year. I'm still thinking about it. I hadn't read any of her other books, so I just started Case Histories. Have you read any of her books?
-
Yes, I know we're in the minority on Gone Girl. Actually, I think I'm in the minority here on most of the books I find interesting or don't like. For example, Zusak's Book Thief which most here really liked, was a DNF for me, dragged too much and I did not find it interesting enough to finish. But in another group, most people agreed with me on it. So, as they say, it'd be a dull world if everyone agreed on everything.
As to Kate Atkinson, I read her Case Histories 9 years ago. My notes say "interesting book; I like her wry humor; will read more of her novels." But I haven't gotten around to reading any others of hers.
Marj
-
Eighty-four (84) here, and I hated Gone Girl. And I love Kate Atkinson, albeit have not read her latest book. Every surface in my house is covered with a stack of books I am "going to" read! Help!
I have the DVD of Case Histories, as well. I enjoyed the Atkinson series on TV some years back. Right at the moment I am just about finished THE EXPATS by Chris Pavone. I highly recommend it. I find it astonishing that this male writer can create such a very strong and understandable woman. YES! And while I would not want to be a CIA operative or have anything even remotely to do with guns, I would very much like to be Kate Moore.
-
The Expats is on my list, MaryPage. Certainly sounds timely. Talking about CIA operatives, on MoJo this am they were talking about the CIA members who were either fired or disciplined for their handling of the Levinson situation in Iran.
Sycamore Row is another on the TBR list, MaryZ. Somewhere I read that it is a sequel to A Time to Kill, one of my Grisham favorites.
-
Gone Girl seems to bring out love and hate equally. I know I will never start another book by her for sure. I have the Book Thief but have not read it.. Just not in the right mood.
-
In Life After Life, Ursula Todd is born again and again on February 11, 1910, then dies over and over throughout the book. This concept would make one think that this is a depressing read; however, it works just the opposite. It is a celebration of life, in a sense, as you can see how the different environments we live in and the decisions we make, can change the path our lives take. There is a quote in the book that sums it up rather nicely, “What if we had a chance to do it again and again, until we finally did get it right? Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”.
As you can see, I’m really loving this author. It’s strange because I bought Case Histories years ago when it first came out, but for some reason just couldn’t get into it. After finishing Life After Life, I want to read everything she’s written. So I’ve started Case Histories and it’s great. It’s funny how at different times in your life, your reading tastes can be so different.
-
I absolutely agree. On the same page as you. Same notes about the journey of my life of reading.
-
I am 70 (for 3 more days), and agree with you, Steph. I will not read another book by the author of Gone Girl. It was well written, but.....
Sally
-
Kate Atkinson,, have to try her again. I simply could not get into her with her first book and have not tried again.
-
That Life After Life would probably make a good discussion, wouldn't it? Everybody raves about it, pretty much but I can't get past the premise to try it. So I can't talk about the book itself.
On the idea tho, "It is a celebration of life, in a sense, as you can see how the different environments we live in and the decisions we make, can change the path our lives take. There is a quote in the book that sums it up rather nicely, “What if we had a chance to do it again and again, until we finally did get it right? Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
Do you think it would? Be wonderful? It's interesting that the premise is you "get it right," finally, meaning...what? You screwed it up this time? The concept is fascinating.
If somebody came along and said ok you get to do it again, would you? Even if a twist or turn in your life meant that you might not have the same family or children? Is the character aware of the past lives? Can the character then miss the children never had?
It's almost Faustian in concept. Would you achieve that buried dream at last? But at what cost?
Have I got it anywhere close to what the book talks about (again I haven't read it), or is it the same family, children, but different decisions?
-
but I can't get past the premise to try it. So I can't talk about the book itself.
Interesting as it sounds, Ginny, I can't get past the premise either.
Re: Case Histories -- was it on TV, a series about a detective, whose sister was murdered (shown in flashbacks) and whose ex-wife and darling little daughter were moving to Australia? If so, I think I'd like to try that book.
-
Ginny – The concept of the book is that Ursala lives many different versions of her life. And, since it begins in 1910 and moves forward, it gives you an idea of how a woman might live during that time period. Things don’t necessarily get better for her with each life. In some lives, she only lives a short while; in others, she might live into adulthood. Whenever you read that “darkness falls,” you know that things will not bode well for Ursala. It’s a strange concept (I usually enjoy more realistic fiction), but I just kept reading and got lost in the book.
The stories follow the same family, but new characters are introduced at times. The locations also differ occasionally. Each life is different, but there are many connections. And throughout the book, you get to know each of the other members of her family.
Eventually Ursala begins to have cases of déjà vu, and will have a feeling of something she must do. Kate Atkinson has done some interesting things to make this more than just a story of being born again and again.
I just really enjoyed it. The stories stay with you long after you finish the book.
-
Personally I think it is fantasy to think just by doing it over it would be better than what we have accomplished - it sounds like so many who think we are responsible for our lives - choices that we know the alternatives yes, but look how various world events shaped us. Depression WWII, and now the nonsense pulled by the banks and wall street - there have been other events but I cannot trace the event as directly to my life as those who were more affected by Viet Nam and Iraq or even 9/11.
All these events shaped, not only who we are but altered some of the opportunities so that we did not always have the choices we dreamed about and then, within families there are various events, death, illness, unexpected happenings that we have raised ourselves to those challenges -
To live it over again, do we fantasize about a life without outside forces guiding our choices - do we even see some of the choices we make because of our economic bracket and in what part of the world we live - it is all so subjective and to me I think any book or author who can help us celebrate what we have accomplished given our challenges is worthy of our listening ear.
I also think the butterfly affect that we cause and that we react to is part of the how and why of our life choices. And so to imagine ourselves with different influences for each life cycle I do not think would help us arrive at better - I guess the fantasy thinking of doing it over is to believe we can have Sir Thomas More's Utopia if we just have another chance.
As to becoming wise and creating an inner space where we get it - what are we getting that we are not all working on - OK yes, peace for ourselves and the ability to create a peaceful space around us - fine - if we can do that without struggle then why bother to be alive, what is there to learn plus, we would need this god like ability to control our circumstances so that our life turns out as we prefer and if someone would just suggest we could keep at it till we have that awesome power then let's go for it.
Many of the Taoists believe in a returning spirit and it is easy to get caught up in the beauty and logic of it but stepping back even to have grown up in some isolated mountain where the world has little impact then what - are we here to exist in safety or like the parable about multiplying our 10 talents where we can affect the lives of others which does mean joining the rest of society with all its influences, some that we have no control over and we must learn to exist with the un-planned for and unexpected.
Obviously ;) "it could'a been" or "here is anther round at it" is not my cup of tea.
-
YES, Pedln! You've got the right series. Jackson Brodie.
http://www.kateatkinson.co.uk/jacksonbrodie/tv.asp
And, as much as I loved the series, and yes, she WAS an adorable little girl, the books were even better. You'll like them!
http://www.kateatkinson.co.uk/jacksonbrodie/books.asp
-
As to "Life After LIfe" - I had heard/read so much about it in "glowing" terms, and so put it on reserve at my library. It came much faster than I had thought, and so I jumped right into it. While I enjoyed the book, Atkinson's writing and even the "premise", it was definitely NOT what I had expected, and I tend to pull away from books that have such "deep" concepts. As Barb mentioned like Taoists, etc. And I never felt Ursula was trying to "get it right this time", it all seemed so terribly beyond her control or even her "wishes". It might make a good discussion book, but then it might very well fall into the "Gone Girl" category, where most of the people would not like it. (just in passing, I am mid-70's, and absolutely Hated Gone Girl.
-
Because of the accident, I spent a lot of time four years ago wishing for just five minutes to be different.. Hard to give that up, but my older son managed to make me understand that it might have just been his time.
-
You must have a very wise and caring son, STeph. I'm sure you are very proud of him.
MaryPage, thank you for the uptick. I could not remember that detective's name.
-
No do-over for me (unless I could chose what/how to do-over would be.) Especially if the do-over would mean that I would have to give up those I love & live through the really horrific times in my life, again!!
Sally
-
Just to hear from another place. Of course I can't remember what it was about but I do remember That really hated gone girl
-
Judy,,, Merry Christmas and awonderful New Year. It is so nice to see your name. Now if Alf would chime in, we would have all of the old bookies in one spot..Ginny.... we have not had a bookie holiday in sooooo long.
-
I had very mixed feelings about The Help. I thought the book was well done, but I lived in the South in those days and think the environment was much exaggerated. I knew only one person who had a servant's bathroom in the garage; the rest of us had only one bathroom and the maid used it just as we did. Things may have been different in Alabama, but I don't remember any of this business about servants stealing the silver. What on earth would they have done with it?
I didn't much care for Dragon Tattoo but read all three Larsen books. I actively disliked The Shack. The Lost Symbol was pretty good but pretty much a rehash of the author's earlier books.
-
I feel like you do about The Help. I lived in a border state and never heard of a servants bathroom.. or most of the stuff they did. So I did not go to see the movie.
I listened to the first .. of the Dragon Tattoo.. but have never tried the others. But may eventually.. I am reading and loving the second book by Charles Finch.. This one is about a hidden secret in the british army overseas.. Fascinating.
-
I agree, Steph, the Charles Finch books are great mysteries. I'm going to go back and read all of them.
I'm just finishing up a fascinating book by William Trevor, FELICIA'S JOURNEY (212 pp, 1994). It has one of the creepiest male characters I've ever met in a book. He looks and acts like a kindly, portly, and helpful middle-aged gentleman, but.... Felicia, a naive young Irish girl who has come to Britain to look for the father of her unborn baby, doesn't see Mr. Hildich's dark side. It's been made into a 1999 movie which I'll watch when I finish the book. (William Trevor is a great writer, and the book won the 1994 Whitbread prize.)
Marj
-
I enjoyed "The Help"--- both book and movie. I was born and raised in Virginia so saw many of the discriminations against what was then called "the colored people". In public places there were separate water fountains, bathrooms, etc. I imagine much of "the help" did occur in wealthier homes, but we had "help" for one day a week. We did experience an interesting occurrence in 1954 when I was traveling with my parents to Calif. We stopped in the south at a lovely motel for the night. My dad had a funny look on his face when he came out of the motel office. This motel is "for colored only", he said. We traveled on for a few miles to another motel. It certainly gave us a small window into what black people put up with all the time.
-
I have read one book by William Trevor, The Story of Lucy Gault, and I loved it. It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2002. The story begins in 1921 Ireland and the country is in a state of unrest. Captain Gault and his wife have decided to leave Ireland for the safety of their family, but their 9-year old daughter, Lucy, is very upset about leaving. One day she goes missing and after her clothes are found on the beach, it is presumed she has drowned. Everyone is devastated. Her mother and father close up their estate and leave their caretaker and his wife in charge when they leave Ireland. However, not long after they leave, Lucy is discovered alive. By this time, no one knows where her parents have gone. This is a beautifully written book and I plan to read more from him in the future. I’ll have to try Felicia’s Journey.
-
Judy, is it really you? What a nice surprise to see you here Are you recovered from the fall yet? I hope so! Have a happy Christmas! As Steph said, we need another bookie holiday!
I have started another Ellen Crosby, "Multiple Exposure", but not liking it very much. Think I might put it down for Amy Tan's. "Saving Fish From Drowning" which I brought home from the library yesterday.
-
Just finished Sandra Dallas' Fallen Women. I was very disappointed in it--too predictable and not the type of book that I was expecting from Dallas. Now I am going back to a Christmas "cozy".
Sally
-
I must go through my huge to be read piles and rearrange them. I do this periodically, but I know I have the Amy Tan and want to read it, but Ialso need to read the J.K. Rowling Cuckoos Calling for my f2f book club for January.
-
Thanks, Winchester Lady (are you Carol?), for recommending William Trevor's The Story of Lucy Gault. After Felicia's Journey I became interested in reading Irish history. I want to also read Trinity by Leon Uris, about the Irish rebellion.
I liked J.K. Rowling's The Cuckoo's Calling. The only complaint I had was that it could have been a bit shorter. But the plot keeps you moving along. My notes say, "might be helpful to keep a list of characters."
Marj
-
I also enjoyed The Cuckoo's Calling but agree it was too long.
-
Judy L, so great to see you here. I sure hope you're feeling well. Heading out to your neck of the woods tomorrow to spend the holidays with the Seattle family and my daughter and granddaughter from California.
Annie, I'll look forward to hearing your report on Any Tan's Saving Fish from Drowning. I have to read it before my New York girls go off to Burma/Myanmar in February to ride bikes.
Marjifay and FlaJean, I'm glad to hear you liked The Cuckoo's Calling It's on my Kindle and a hard copy is wrapped up waiting for my Maryand son to open it.
I haven't read a whole lot of Sandra Dallas. Alice's Tulips is on the bookshelf waiting to be read. Did n't like Buster Midnight's Cafe, but did like Tallgrass and Persian Pickle Club.
-
Marj -- Yes, I'm Carol. I hope you like The Story of Lucy Gault.. I'm still reading Case Histories. Been so busy with Holiday shopping, etc., haven't been reading as much. I'm scheduled for knee relacement surgery the end of January, so in between therapies I'm hoping to get a lot of reading done.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Good luck on your knee replacement surgery, Carol. Isn't it wonderful what doctors can do today? My friend was getting so she could barely walk. After her hip surgery, she's just fine.
Marj
-
Thanks Marj -- I hear good things about the surgery but am still getting very nervous about it.
-
I started Cuckoo,, but it is slow at the beginning.. Hopefully will pick up. OK.. thats that. A sea of white fuzz just went by. The duck is definitely dead.. but the squeaker still works. He is upset, since I took it away and laid it up on the table. I will restuff, but not just now.
-
I reserved Lucy Gault at my library. Wanted to read it on my iPad but no ebook do they have.
I am really enjoying "Saving the Drowning Fish" so far.
That does sound like a funny film, Marj. I seem to remember Irene Dunne being in a comedy somewhere in her career. I will have to google that. ;)
Good grief, Irene Dunne had quite a career in musicals, comedy, on stage and on film. I had no idea. http://www.irenedunnesite.com/biography/biographical-outline/
-
I do remember Irene Dunn being a funny lady
-
So do I. I always liked her.
-
Yes, she did subtle comedy. Not the slapstick type.. Everyone else loves Lucy,, I never did..Too broad.
-
My sentiments precisely.
-
I'm getting caught up on posts here. Ginny wrote (re Kate Atkinson's book Life after Life) “What if we had a chance to do it again and again, until we finally did get it right? Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” Do you think it would? Be wonderful? The concept is fascinating. If somebody came along and said ok you get to do it again, would you?"
My answer is -- Definitely. If I could press the rewind button on my life, I would stay single and not marry. What a waste of time those 9 years of my married life were. It was only after my divorce that I really began to live. I'm probably the only one here who feels that way, tho.'
Marj
-
Not necessarily, Marj. I think I would like to rewind my life and try it as a single. But, only when I am upset and disliking my other half, do I make those sneaky little plans. Besides, who says we would be the same and how would we know it. Life after life doesn't appeal to me. BarbaraStAubrey made my case in her looooooooooooonnnnnnnggggg post last week! Hahaha! ;D ;D
Steph, I had hard time with Lucy also. Thought them all too loud! But she was terrific when she aped Red Skelton and other comics. And I loved Irene Dunne. Her films were always low keyed but humorous.
But I also loved Kate Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in their light hearted comedies.
-
If I had it to do over again, I would marry much later in my life and have only one child. I adore my children, mind; but this world needs less people. I would like a career first, and then turn my abilities into being the best possible mother to just one other human being.
-
I feel the same about children MaryPage. Of course I love mine to bits, but although I'm not a great Virginia Woolf fan, I completely understand her view that there is no greater enemy to creativity than 'the pram in the hall'. And she came from a time and class when mothers had nannies & cooks. I also recently read an interesting article about famous writers who died in 2013. Doris Lessing was quoted as saying of motherhood:
"There is no boredom like that of an intelligent woman who spends all day with a very small child."
Without wanting to sound too 'up myself' as my son would say, I do think many, many women of my generation struggled with the demands of young children more than our mothers did - because our expectations had been raised, and our education had continued to a much higher level than that of (most of) our predecessors.
That is why, I think, I am so much enjoying my life now - at last I can get involved in all sorts of things, and it's hugely stimulating and fun. I do wonder sometimes if I should have had children, as I'm certainly not a 'natural mother' and I was indeed bored stiff when they were little. But hey-ho - we do our best, and of course I wouldn't swap my children for the world now (even in their teenagery moments...)
The article that I read covered Seamus Heany, Chinua Achebe, Iain Banks, Doris Lessing & Elmore Leonard. This is it:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/dec/28/literary-giants-died-2013
Rosemary
-
Oh Rosemary,, you echo me exactly. I truly do not like small children. My husband adored them and was such a good father to the boys. He never tired of playing with them and gave the baths and alot of the work as well. I am in my element when they hit teens.. Then you can talk to them.. but like many of you, I would marry much later and have a career first. I wanted so much to work in a test kitchen, since female chefs were unknown in the 50's..Oh well. a retry would be fun.
-
I'm so glad to read the above posts on marriage and children. One day my family children,grand children and were sitting around the table just talking about things in general when I said "if I had my life to live over I would have a career and I wouldn't have children." well you could here a pin drop and everyone looked at me as if I had grown 2 heads. They were shocked, I mean SHOCKED.
I had to scramble around trying to explain why I felt that way and that it had nothing to do with the ones I had.
-
If I had my life to live over, I would not have agreed to marry my husband until he had finished his degree and begun working in his chosen field. I can never say this aloud - because, if we hadn't married when we did, I suspect we wouldn't have married at all.
My mother was a university instructor until she married at 33 (in the 1930's). My paternal grandmother was a kindergarten/elementary teacher until she married at age 30 (in 1890 !!!!)
However, I was caught up in "earning my P.H.T degree" (Putting Hubby Through), which was "the thing to do" in the mid-50's.
I have always preferred working with pre-school - 3rd grade children. My daughter-in-law loves teaching 5th - 8th grade students. I tell her she earns a star in her crown every day she shows up at school!!!
Isn't it great that there are people who enjoy each age group. :)
-
When I go down the path of if only I had done this or that differently I come up short - what happened not only happened but made me who I am today - no, it did not turn out to be a flower garden and yes, there are many painful wounds and disappointments - but then I have to stop and realize the disappointment is only because I had a vision for my life that would have put me out of the range of many of life lessons I ended up learning.
For me I loved it when my children were ages 3 to 15 - I was at my most creative in the arts - played with them introducing them to their skills in the arts and music - they were my easy ticket to spend time in museums, at the theater, in workshops from learning to throw clay to time in the junk yard to find interesting junk to make into whatever we imagined. I loved reading to them when they were young and later we enjoyed our weekly trip to the library where we scattered to our area of interest. So much of my needlework was created during those years and my extensive experience with cooking happened as they were in their teens and I was able finally to take some serious cooking classes - I learned tons about gardening and designed from scratch one house and designed alterations to another that was being built while we were still 1200 miles away.
Granted a paycheck was not important although I figured out how to sell some of my art work and needleworking teaching skills to afford several trips to Europe and attend workshops all over this nation.
Once the children were on their own although, still living at home - but not tied to me for their view of their world I went into business. At first it was exciting - I was helping others achieve what I valued - a home where they could pursue their best. I was good and made good money - thank goodness, when my life took a jolt that to the family felt like an atom bomb exploded having a successful work experience was all I could hang on to - but then that is another set of issuea - bottom line working for money I find very limiting - very - the focus is always on the business so there is not relaxed joy that allows creative thinking to take over -
I could count on two hands the things I accomplished in the last 34 years other than be good in my career - I have learned much about issues I never dreamed I would be exploring and except for my penchant for reading and cooking and taking the summer after my son died to create a garden that is it. Oh I dabbled here in there but could not spend the time to get good - business was the focus. Even wanting to share needlework skills the business side quickly takes over.
In fact because of the lack - I kept thinking, tomorrow I would be back to pursuing my creative side, that never happens while focused on "a" job or "a" career, I am struggling now to figure out how to have a business AND have time for making my the art boxes, getting back to my music, fiber arts, spending an hour or more each day building and maintaining a garden, replanting some fruit trees, enlarging my herb, finally doing the hardanger table runners, writing poetry where I can go to the monthly meetings and not have to cancel the last minute because a contract came in take time to make the jeweled purses I can see in my head and sell them to the young crowd that wants something on their wrist to hold their cell a credit card and a lipstick when they flock to the live music venues each week -
I have so many ideas but cannot put unclaimed hours towards any of it because a client may need this or that or the schedule of other required vendors and keeping up with the constant changes in the contracts -
Yes, creativity can be explored in business but to an end point of creating profit rather than for the joy of creating. My Grand right now is designing a new brochure but he cannot be as creative as his imagination automatically leads since the business needs their brochure by next week.
I always found my children and their friends to flow with the demands of the body that enter all our endeavors and found I accomplished more and explored far more when I have little children in my immediate surrounds with no focus demands because of a profit margin.
-
Barb, sounds as if you accomplished an enormous amount of activity over the years. I have been doing the list making things and realize that part of my impatience is that I have little joy in my life. I need to do some things for pure joy.. now to figure out what.
-
Steph and Barb, your joy will probably appear when you least expect it.
-
Thank you each and all for being honest.
I like ages four to nine best.
Before four they are too demanding, albeit adorable.
After nine they are getting bored with what you suggest for fun and they want to do their own thing.
I like them again starting at about age forty.
But still and all, I think I could have contributed less angst to our species and perhaps, I would hope, more towards our improvement as a species had I curbed my impulses to make babies.
-
AhMaryPage, you always say it so well. In the 50's however you were truly expected to marry and produce.. I just wish I had been more strong minded.
-
Steph
That's true. I met my husband when I was 14. and we got engaged when i was 16, he pushed his name up for military service so that we could get married when I was 18 and he was 21. So I spent my teen years waiting for him to come home. Had my first child at 20. I was an only childso really didn't know much about kids and babies. I love my children out course but I sure missed out on my 0wn growing up and just doing for myself. although I did get a college when I was in my forties.
-
Good on you, Jeriron!
I am impressed!
-
Jeriron -- My marriage age was the same as your's and I had my first baby when I was 23. I did not want to go to college at that time, but have greatly regretted that decision. But if I had to chose, I'd do it all over again. I have a wonderful husband and family.
MaryPage -- I loved your comment, "I like them again starting at about age forty." This is so true! Steph is correct in that you really have a way with words!
-
From MaryPage: "I like them again starting at about age forty.
"But still and all, I think I could have contributed less angst to our species and perhaps, I would hope, more towards our improvement as a species had I curbed my impulses to make babies."
Had to laugh! Thank goodness for birth control pills! I was able stop at having just two. (Am going to read the new book about Benjamin Franklin's sister. That poor woman had twelve, all of whom except one died. Book of Ages; the life and opinions of Jane Franklin by Jill Lapore)
Marj
-
Marj.
No you are not alone on your feelings on marriage. I did it knowing it was wrong for me. However I gave it a try. 2 daughters which I enjoyed although I was not a baby lover when little ones. Enjoyed them older. Now they are mothers , grandmothers both wrapped up in their grand babies. All they think about. Not to happy with me because I don't want to be around them gushing away all the time. Don't wish to live by them.
Been on my own now since 1965. Life single been ideal. Met nice men, 3 proposed.but I went by my feelings. Prefer to live alone. Over the years women friends said I would be sorry (even though they were not that happy being tied down as they called it.) but now 4 out of the 5 , 2 been widows for 10 years. 2have husbands with Alzheimer's . Husbands at home. One is O..k. Just still bored.
Only thing I did wrong was retire to fast. I miss working a lot. But the way companies are now and it's sort of Dog Eat dog. Now I doubt I would enjoy it.
Would have liked to have been a Chef instead of Accountant. I loved cooking still.
-
A female chef was unheard of in the 50's.. Even Julia never tried to work in a restaurant,, Strictly a male professiion in the kitchens for years. I would have loved it. One of the things I miss the most as a lonely widow is cooking for someone.
-
HAPPY NEW YEAR AND WISHING YOU ALL OF THE BEST IN 2014.
-
Happy New Year. I noted Ginnys post in the library and am thinking hard about my definition of happiness.. I also thought that the Readers Digest was a rehash of other articles and stopped reading it many years ago. I will try to track it down.
-
Gave up on The Readers Digest decades ago when I realized how very misogynistic it was in its choices of articles. We women were all to be of the traditionalist sort: barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen cooking for our men.
Grew up reading it every month, but when I had my epiphany, searched through my large collection and realized there was no call for mercy. Tossed the whole lot and never looked back.
It is pure propaganda, and trying to inoculate the entire populace to that way of seeing this world of ours.
-
Steph.
Yes I looked into it in 1950 in the u.k. It was hard to get into any of the schools. Training was long also. Had a male friend took 4years and then 2 more finishing in Switzerland. That part expensive.
-
Regarding Reader's Digest---I used to enjoy the word game and the jokes and the occasional first person interesting narrative at the back of the magazine.
-
:) I think Reader's Digest has changed a little bit. They still have some of the old areas and I really have enjoyed the book excerpts in some of the previous issues. Here is the new editor:
(http://www.rd.com/mediakit/images/stagetwo/chiefpic.jpg) here is the beginning of her bio found here: http://www.rd.com/mediakit/ed-chief.html
Liz Vaccariello is the Chief Content Officer and Editor-in-Chief for the Reader's Digest brand. She is responsible for driving editorial direction and product strategy across the brand's media platforms. They include: Reader's Digest, the fifth largest magazine in the United States with a readership of more than 26 million; digital media channels such as ReadersDigest.com and editions for the iPad, Nook and Amazon Kindle, on which Reader's Digest continues to be the #1 selling magazine; and books, of which 15.8 million are sold each year.[/color]
As the new face of the Reader's Digest brand, Liz brings decades of experience as a trusted, authoritative speaker across multiple media platforms, demonstrating a deep expertise on issues such as health, food and family, among other areas. Liz uses her expertise to select the best content in health, home, family, food, finance and humor to share with consumers to simplify and enrich their lives and help them open the door to new possibilities.
For years, Liz has been a staple on the network morning shows Today and Good Morning America, and has appeared monthly on Rachael Ray to talk about food and lifestyle content featured in the Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine. In 2009, she began guest hosting in the fifth chair on the second season of The Doctors. She has appeared on The View, Regis & Kelly, Dr. Phil, Extra and two seasons of The Biggest Loser. Liz also is a five-time New York Times bestselling author, including the 1-million-sold Flat Belly Diet! She went on to write the 2010 follow-up to Flat Belly Diet!, 400 Calorie Fix.
I think she is beginning to make a big difference in the magazine. I found the article What the Lottery Winners won't tell you interesting this time but this issue is less interesting than the previous two, which were really good. She may need to find her feet.
-
Beautiful Woman. Smart lady also.
-
I was always glad to see a copy of Readers Digest offered at the dr's waiting room. Nothing too long or too serious and I liked the funny stories that folks sent in to the humor columns.
Long ago, when she was thinking about marriage, I told my daughter that I would marry much later in life and certainly I would grow up before that. It's too hard doing both at the same time! I must also say I am a much better gramma
than I was a mom. And now a great-gramma! I just think maybe someone will hear my wise comments eventually!! Hahahaha!
-
I guess I had better hang in there for Great Gramma, since my 18 year old granddaughter is not listening to grown ups recently.
-
I've just been looking thru my library's list of Jack London books (after being reminded by the London title that Frybabe posted recently in Blanko) and found a couple I'd not heard of, but look interesting and which I've added to my colossal TBR list.
THE ROAD by Jack London (100 pp) Per book desc., "The Road" is Jack London's collection of stories from his life as a hobo. In this entertaining collection of tales and autobiographical essays, London relates every aspect of the hobo's life -- from catching a train to cadging a meal. He tells the tricks that hoboes used to evade train crews, and reminisces about his travels with Kelly's Army. Jack London later credited his story-telling skill to the hobo's necessity of concocting tales to coax meals from sympathetic strangers. London's "The Road" is quite likely the inspiration for Jack Kerouac's more famous rendition, written more than 50 years later."
THE IRON HEEL (224 pp) Per Amazon reader, "The novel follows Ernest Everhard, and his wife Avery, who is the putative author of the memoir, as they try to establish a socialist revolution in a world that is in the death grip of Capitalism.
From a historical perspective, this book is fascinating in that it seems to offer a glimpse into the worldview of the Left prior to World War One. The novel has more than its fair share of polemical moments when London preaches the Socialist gospel through the mouth of Everhard. We learn, for example, that capitalism is doomed to failure as it invests its surplus wealth into the development of foreign markets, which in turn become competitors, leading to a crisis where no further investment is possible. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer. (Hmmm.... sounds a bit like what's going on today... ) The rich, who control the governments, pass legislation eliminating the independent middle class and reducing the poor to a state of serfdom."
JOHN BARLEYCORN; "ALCOHOLIC MEMOIRS" (363 pp) Per Amazon reader, "John Barleycorn is a tremondous book. It details how London raised himself from incredible childhood poverty and lower class surroundings while still a teen, engaging in rugged, manly adverntures that were simply amazing. This book also relates how London's love of books changed his life, and it will amaze you that his knowledge is so broad (throughout the book London dazzles us with philosophical qoutes and insights). Most of all though, this book is about alcoholism. London had a strong liking for intoxication. However, one would be wrong to think of this book as pro-drinking. He is fairly fanatical in his dislike of alcohol and what it eventually did to him and other young men of his age."
Marj
-
I am still working on the Five days In Memorial from Katrina.. It is h ard hard hard to read. I am now at the after rescue and note that a lot of people who were not caught up in this horror had a lot to say about what and how it was handled. A lot of survivors who left when they could complained about relatives who were definitely in end of life thought that someone ( not them) should be able to rescue.. Just the having to get the patients down by hand in dark stairways 6 flights of stairs must have been beyond horrible.
-
Steph, I'm currently reading Five Days at Memorial also, although skipping around and reading some of the last pages first. You're right. It is a hard read. But it certainly brings to light a topic which needs a lot of discussion and that is emergency preparedness, allocation of resources, the need for planning well ahead of any disaster.
One of the later chapters discusses the situation at New York City's Bellevue during Superstorm Sandy. The power supply had deteriorated to the point where there were only SIX outlets for ventilators. And a lot more than six patients.
So who is now determining the future guidelines? The experts? The medical community? The public?
-
Yes, that is what I am bringing from the book thus far. That there needs to be a very hard look at what can and cannot be done in that sort of emergency. People need to look at this problem. Not blame the medical community who try their best, but dont want or need to be god.
-
I think for many when something beyond their control brings disastrous painful results they cannot cope with the feeling of helplessness that brings them pain they do not want to feel so they turn the pain to either anger or blame - to get angry is to do something and if they feel helpless to know what to do than blame is their only shield against their own feelings - if they could not make a difference someone should have been able to and that someone is often who we hire without realizing the limits of the service we hire.
Few to none want to face this to even make a plan for the future - it means having to accept that there is no plan and that what happened could not be avoided which means accepting the pain and helplessness with no one to blame and so it is a ring around the rosy that will take professionals to create a disaster plan that will probably take on political overtones.
Using the National Guard was a good plan however, their numbers were so low with most units in Iraq - not sure how the Guard assisted those affected by Sandy - Sandy did not seem to have the human debasement that the levee breach during Katrina subjected those who were stranded in the flood.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Katrina had so many problems. The hospital was constantly under siege because they had drugs in there.. and people wanted to use it as a refuge and the nusing staff was overwhelmed with no air, no electric, no water ( except bottled). I feel for them.. I also feel that hospitals should not be at the mercy of a corporation.. Too long for decisions.. and then some of their staff seemed to believe that although they did not help. the nurses could perform miracles. That bothers me the most so far.. The nursing staff and doctors are human beings.They performed heroically, but the over 300 pound humans who cannot walk or help to be moved. What where they supposed to do. I got so disgusted at the wife, who seemed to think there was some sort of miracle just for her. Bah.
-
I'm reading QUARANTINE by Jim Crace. First book by Crace I've read. Fascinating.
A strange re-telling of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. Jesus is depicted as a young naive, obstinate lad. The major character, however, in a group of several men and women, is a harsh old bully (the devil?) who beats his wife and intimidates others. As the story starts he is dying, to the relief of his his long-suffering wife. But along comes young Jesus, sees the ailing bully, and, obsessed with healing, touches the old man's eyelids and says "be well." Oops.
The writing is magnificent and puts you in that barren windswept desert in ancient Palestine so well, that as you read you almost find yourself covering your eyes from the dust, brushing away flies, looking for shelter.
Marj
-
Ah the joys of reimagining..
-
Well, this book (Quarantine) challenges your brain, and I need that (LOL)
Marj
-
I before E except when eight feisty neighbors seize surfeit of weighty heifers
How about "Neither seize the weird foreigner on the heights"?
We used to have a neighbor that applied to.
-
Very good, Ursa. LOL
-
Alas, not original. The neighbor was a peculiar Dutchman who spent a lot of time hiking in the Smokies. ;)
-
Word play. I remember way way back in Latin in middle school. that I learned that English makes no sense as far as grammar goes. Latin was wonderful..
-
Couple of months back I read a Jim Crace - The Harvest - interesting - since I have seen it on lists as a mystery which completely baffles me - a period piece of what happened to folks on all stratum of the farm as farming changed to machines with fewer tenants required who were kicked off the land that they and their families had been living on for hundreds of years - often hoboing and squatting in nearby woods - then owners who die leaving the spouse, man or women dependent on the good will of the next in line who may not know the land much less the particular farm.
-
Have started Defending Jacob, which is my f21f February selection. Not very far, but the narrator is most peculiar indeed..
-
I read that some time ago, Steph. Don't remember a whole lot from it. My notes say depressing and tedious.
-
I read Defendng Jacob sometime ago. Found the first half of the book rather boring with all the annoying psychobabble dialogue. It finally began to get interesting when the trial started. Not a bad read -- I'd recommend it.
Marj
-
I guess I am so puzzled by his refusal to look at his son..His wife looks, he doesnt. I am convinced that he will make sure someone else suffers.. The son does not seem real at this point. More that he is more worried about himself.
-
I've been wanting to read Life After Life for quite a while. So glad it has the thumbs up, Winchester Lady. I see Carol under your name, I thought you were Jackie, or was that someone else.
Has anyone read Ferney?
Ferney and Gally are time travelling lovers, who keep meeting up, in different era's, and different ages. Ferney is 90 I think, and Gally is a young married when they meet this time. He has to convince her they've been lovers for centuries.
It's taken James Long 14 yrs to write a sequel, The Lives She Left Behind . I'm dying to get my hands on it, I loved Ferney, but I did read a review that sounded a little disappointed. However I have a review that calls it a worthy successor, romantic, heartbreaking and gripping. I have my fingers crossed for the latter.
-
I just finished Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg. It started off a little slow, but picked up pace. I really enjoyed it. I am reading The Husband's Secret and am finding it a little tedious. I am 2/3 of the way through and hope it picks up.
Sally
-
Still working on Defending Jacob. I am now in the trial stage.. I just have problems dealing with the Dad who is the narrator and completely self obsorbed.
-
I've never read the book Ferney, Octavia, but wasn't it made into a movie? I can't remember the name of the movie, but I loved it.
I just found the movie I was thinking about, but it's not from the James Long book, it's from a play by Craig Lucas, PRELUDE TO A KISS. It's about two young lovers, played by Meg Ryan and Alec Baldwin. An old man at their wedding kisses Meg Ryan's character and they trade souls. I'm going to watch that movie again from Netflix. Will also get the James Long book, Ferney.
Marj
-
I've been wanting to read Life After Life for quite a while. So glad it has the thumbs up, Winchester Lady. I see Carol under your name, I thought you were Jackie, or was that someone else. Has anyone read Ferney?
Octavia--I am Carol...I don't think I've heard of a 'Jackie' on SeniorLearn. I hope you like Life After Life...It certainly stays on your mind for a long time once you've finished it. It's funny you mentioned Ferney. Several years ago after reading good things about it on a lot of blogs, I bought it..but I didn't stick with it. I had completely forgotten about it. But now after hearing you mention it, I think I'll give it another try. My reading tastes have changed a lot in the past few years.
-
Sorry Carol, I know there was a Jackie, but possibly she was on SeniorNet. I seem to think I saw her on the GoodReads site.
I haven't seen a movie called Ferney, but then I don't see many movies since BigPond scrapped their postal movie service.
Right now I'm rereading Penelope Lively's book Ammonites and Leaping Fish(A Life in Time).
I love running my finger around the Ammonite on the cover, because it's raised up, and has 3 different sensations.
She is quite amusing, in that understated English way.
"So this is old age, and I am probably shedding readers by the drove at this point.'
We old talk too much about the past; this should take place only between consenting contemporaries. Boredom hovers for others.'
We must beware that glassy smile of polite attention. They are searching for an exit strategy.'
Boy, I've seen that look quite often on the faces of my offspring.
-
I love Penelope Lively. Dancing Fish and Ammonites has been on my Amazon wish list for some time, but won't be released in the U.S. until Februaty 6.
-
Ah Yes, my grandchilden simply refuse to believe that their parents and I did not always have computers, wireless phones..etc etc.. Past their memory span. I , on the other hand wish that tech stuff would slow down a bit and let me catch up
-
I know what you mean, Steph, LOl. I can't keep up with all the new technology. I still have trouble getting the messages from my land-line telephone.
Marj
-
I got a new car yesterday and they were all upset with me, when they said, they would program the blue tooth, etc and the radio.. I said.. forget it. I dont use the phone when driving and I rarely use the radio except for books on cd on long trips. I am obviously not up to date. I got a lot of ... oh yes, My Mother is like that. They cautiously inquired and I admitted that no, I neither have nor want a smart phone..
-
Good for you, Steph! My car is three years old and I still don't know - or care - what some of the buttons are for.
-
Just finished reading Kinfolk by Pearl S Buck and enjoyed it very much. I now have read a series of her books chronologically going through from before any revolution (The Good Earth), though various periods of turmoil, the end of the empire, the Japanese invasion and this one, post Japs, prior to communism. All fascinating for the stories and information on Chinese culture and I love that she's always got one or several wise and superior women running everything magnificently behind the scenes. I remember as a teenager being rather overawed by PSB's women and Simon De Beauvoir's depiction of the ideal woman which looking back on it (and I could be wrong because memory is so deceptive) seemed to have something in common....possessed of an innate ability to always behave with dignity and do the right thing so that life flows for all around them. I used to think that there were actual women like that.............!
-
I disconnected the Bluetooth in my car. I wasn't comfortable with it. I just have regular radio, but even with that, I do enjoy the fact that not only the station but often the city and/or the weather (Public Radio) or the title and artist for the songs are displayed (commercial radio). Basically, I want a car that gets me where I am going safely and efficiently.
-
I don't even know what blue tooth is, or how it works. Do I want to know???? I am thinking about getting a new car, too. My Honda crv is only 2 yrs old, but I am not happy with the road noise. Fortunately, I do not use the phone when I'm driving because I don't think I could hear. I also can't hear the woman's voice on the gps & that I do want to hear. I also want one that has an automatic open/close trunk. I am interested in a small suv. Any suggestions???
Sally
-
Blue Tooth has been a godsend for my son in law, who has a construction business and gets constant phone calls that are urgent. Because it is against the law to drive and hold and operate a cell phone here in Maryland now, and thank god it is, Blue Tooth enables him to continue to solve problems that come up.
We will be driving along (he driving me home or to work) and the phone will ring. Right away on the same screen that has the GPS, you can see the name of who is calling. If he does not want to speak with them, he can let the call go into his message box. If he wants to, he just pushes a button on his steering wheel and says hello. The conversation is carried on swiftly, as he immediately tells the caller he is driving. He can hang up also from his steering wheel. Great stuff! Cetainly not necessary for you and me, but truly a boon for businessfolk. Oh, he also usually tells the caller that I am with him, and they skip the male trash talk. You see, the downside of Blue Tooth is that whomsoever is in the vehicle can hear the entire conversation.
-
sally,,,, I have a Honda CR-V... the new one and the road noise is non existant. The salesperson said they were much quieter now and he is right. No automatic trunk, but back up camera which I wanted.. It is perfect for my two corgi and I . They have seat belts that work in the far back and I put their beds in and they are content to travel. There is plenty more room and now the two row of seats can be automatic to go down.. Pretty neat.. Yes, blue tooth is great for business, but I do know I am glad they did not have it when MDH was alive. We would never ever have had a moments vacation.
-
I have a Suzuki Grand Vitara, the smaller one with only 3 doors. It is a bit 'rufty-tufty' but I love it, as (so far..) it is so dependable and is easy to drive. I generally keep the back seats folded up and throw anything and everything in the back door (which opens out like a house door, not like a hatchback that lifts up.) I would say that it isn't terribly comfortable if you have to sit in the rear seats for a long drive, but for those we use my husband's Chrysler, which is huge and which I am too scared to drive around here - I would never be able to park it, or probably even drive it, through the narrow streets of the small coastal towns like North Berwick.
As I currently live in a rural and agricultural area, I also like the Suzuki because it is a bit higher off the ground and has no trouble ploughing through mud on the road, snow, floods, etc (though I would not drive it through swift running water, too many people have been caught out by that in the UK in recent years.)
My parents-in-law decided to go down to a very small Toyota Aygo because it is exempt from road tax - they have regretted it ever since as the car has a boot so small you can't even put a small suitcase in it, and the roof is so low even our heads touch it (and I am only 5'4"). They asked my husband to go with them to choose a car and he specifically said they should not buy an Aygo and suggested another car, but they insisted on going ahead - and now - typically! - my MIL keeps saying she wishes he hadn't talked them into buying it.....we grit our teeth and smile :-)
Rosemary
-
My sinus are screaming blue murder. Hot....cold.... dry..... wet.... Ugh.. I just wish the weather would settle down for a while.. I am reading a most interesting book that I found in a thrift shop.Geisha, a life by Mineko Iwasaki with Rande Brown. A true story of a geisha in post war Japan.. Very interesting. great pictures and descriptions of Kimono and how important they are in dress.. I do recommend it.
-
Steph, how does that book compare to Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha? That one is fiction, of course, but very well researched.
-
I loved Arthur Golden's book. We have bought the DVD of the film from a charity shop but not watched it yet - has anyone seen it? I was also fascinated by the importance of kimono as the wealth of the geisha house. That book you are reading sounds very interesting Steph.
We too are having very unpredictable weather - one day torrential rain, next day sunny but freezing (though not early as freezing as some of you are having...) I'm going into the city tomorrow so predictably it's set to pour down all day :-(
Rosemary
-
Rosemary, the movie is gorgeous! Arthur Golden was born and raised here, so this was one of the places where there was a small early showing.
-
This is the Geisha or Geika as they are called in her area. She is married, retired and still alive, so I am finding it fascinating. Her descriptions of what it takes to become one and all of the ceremonies surrounding her debut, etc. are truly fascinating. I had read Memoirs and loved it, so this one attracted me when I saw it.
-
You convinced me, Steph. I've just gotten it for my iPad.
-
I read at least one of those, cannot remember the author, I think it was just called Geisha. I think the one I read was written by the actual geisha, but maybe not. Maybe it was just "told" by her as the narrator. Anyway, this is the thing, and this is why I even insert myself in here: I saw a DVD of a movie of the same story. Seems eons ago now. Bummer, the lights are SO dimming in my memory banks!
-
MaryPage, the movie was made from the novel, Memoirs of a Geisha.
-
I've seen the movie. The book is still in my mega-TBR pile.
-
I just put Memoirs of a Geisha on my netflex queu... I loved the book and have finished the new one I was reading.What a fascinating, but restrictive way to live.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I never made it to Japan, although both my mother and my father did, separately. But my great granddaughter Bella, age 11, landed at Yokohoma yesterday via her SEMESTER AT SEA program sponsored by the University of Virginia. I am having a ball following her very excited blogs.
-
I can imagine. We never got to Japan. MDH was a bonsai freak. Raised them for years..We went to many shows, but never the huge ones in Tokyo..
-
Oh, oh, oh, I love bonzai, too! Adore it. Only tried it once, though, and was a miserable failure at that.
Did you ever see the collection at the National Botanical Gardens in D.C.?
Sigh! Heaven!
-
I should have said the National Arboretum. Good Grief; I should know better, as I have been there many times!
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/collections/bonsai.html
-
They have a good bonsai collection at Longwood Gardens, PA, too.
-
Isn't Longwood fabulous? I haven't been in years. That sound and light show in the summer is out of this world.
-
Longwood is fabulous - I've only been there maybe 3 times, and that was many years ago, but it is a wonderful place.
-
My sister and I went this summer. Lots of changes since I was there years and years ago. The DuPont house is now partially open to the public. They are recreating the Meadow Garden behind the house; it will reopen this Summer. I was wowed by the Green Wall which is the corridor with the bathrooms. Each bathroom is seperate, not one or two large multi-stall rooms. http://longwoodgardens.org/gardens/green-wall The indoor Children's Garden is a fantasyland of plants, sculptures and passageways; the photos here do not do it justice. The Cascade Garden is also super.
http://longwoodgardens.org/gardens
-
California has wonderful bonsai collections. We went to several glorious shows there. Plus Huntington( hopefully that is correct) has a huge garden and library .. Loved that place. and a lovely hotel with a glorious restaurant, just wish I could be sure that I am using the right name.
-
Huntington gardens? I've been there several times. They have beautiful Japanese gardens, rock gardens, and bonzai. And a restaurant where they serve tea (English, not Japanese).
My favorite (so far -- I haven't explored all their gardens) is the Shakespeare garden. Only plants that are mentioned in Shakespeare. It has quite a different feel from a modern garden. The plants are smaller and less showy -- you have to focus down to concentrate on small beauty.
-
They also have a glorious archive in the library for anyone interestedin the gold rush and early California.
-
My son invited me and my husband to visit Longwood gardens with him and his wife two years ago. It was a wonderful experience. Neither I nor husband walk very well and we were able to rent electric carts to use in the grounds. This enabled us to see much more of the gardens than if we had had to walk. When we went into the buildings we left the carts at the door; we had keys to make them run. The gardens were beautiful and we enjoyed the greenhouse and other buildings. In one there was a grand piano fitted with a player device that caused it to play classical music continuously. That was a nice touch.
-
The Gardens are glorious and it is hard to believe it was once a private estate. The DuPonts really knew how to live in the old days.
-
Money helps! :D
(Also, duPont continues to put food on our table!). ;)
-
Growing up in the state, the DuPonts really dragged Delaware kicking and screaming into current life. They bribed the highway by paying for half of all the country roads, so that the back roads got paved early. Had glorious estates that they tend to leave to the state one way or another. Several of them are profession horse breeders and they have improved the Welsh pony beyond belief. All in all a nice family who worked hard. Don't know about the current day other than I knew one male who was my age, who was a bum.
-
Can I get some input here on a couple of books/authors? Our f2f book group seems to be having a hard time coming up with selections that "all" the members want to read. Right now, we are all worn out by dysfunctional families/dystopian tales. Not looking for cozies or romance, but good novels with good writing.
Has anyone read "The Burgess Boys" by Elizabeth Strout? "House on Tradd Street" by Karen White? "The Shoemaker's Wife, Adriana Trigiani and also her "Big Stone Gap"? All responses will be appreciated.
-
Just released as a movie that I am not sure I want to see that may change my image of the characters but a good read with good writing is Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin.
Another riveting book is Wave - not The Wave - but Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala. Vacationing with her husband, her two sons and her parents in Yala, Sri Lanka, the day was just beginning when she and a friend noticed that something strange was happening in the ocean. Within a matter of minutes, the sea had wiped out life as she had known it.
-
Trigiani is a good solid southern writer. She has characters that are interesting and real.. I think the book club if it is mostly women would love it. In the end the stories are love stories, but not the stupid kind. We just finished Defending Jacob in my f2f book club. Our discussion was wild. We had a grandmother whose grandson was convicted of 2nd degree murder and will spend many years in prison. Another grandmother who would have done what the mother did in the end and a lot of heat about Andy.. the father. All in all a really good discussion.
-
I was interested to hear about your discussion of defending Jacob. My book club has it on the list for this year. Will be interesting.
-
Now was "Wave" the one that showed on TV or Maybe I got a DVD of "The Wave". was really good whichever one it was.
-
Ihave only been a f2f book club person for the past several months. Defending Jacob was a really good discussion.but several of the others were not at all.. Next month is Alice Monroe , the last book of short stories. I am not a short story fan, but will dutifully try to read them.
-
Can I get some input here on a couple of books/authors? Our f2f book group seems to be having a hard time coming up with selections that "all" the members want to read. Right now, we are all worn out by dysfunctional families/dystopian tales. Not looking for cozies or romance, but good novels with good writing. *STILL TRYING TO GET RECOMMENDATIONS, SO REPOSTING THIS WITH ADDENDUM.
Has anyone read "The Burgess Boys" by Elizabeth Strout? "House on Tradd Street" by Karen White? "The Shoemaker's Wife, Adriana Trigiani and also her "Big Stone Gap"? All responses will be appreciated.
Trying to get recommendations for my f2f book group. It can't be too current or the library won't have enough copies available; no romances.
Good, well-written novel without family dysfunction or dystopian plots; not "fantasy". No vampires, werewolves, zombies. Really limiting myself, aren't I? Sorry 'bout that. Suggest several if you will, and I will let you know if we've read them, or if I'm gonna pass on the suggestions.
Thanks.
-
Possibly pick a genre or idea and tell all the members to bring the book that they think represents this to a meeting.. I think I would love that.
-
Great idea, Steph, and would you believe, we did that at the end of the year! Everyone enjoyed, and each of us got an idea of something to read that might not have been in our personal bailiwick! That's actually an idea that all book groups should consider once in awhile.
-
I am hoping to convince my f2f bookclub to try this next year..
-
That is a great suggestion Steph, I would also like to do that. I tried to suggest something similar for the new book group that I set up with the librarian in my old library - but she wasn't having any and insisted that 'changes' (as she saw them) had to be 'made slowly'.
I have given up on f2f book groups, I just don't think they and I are compatible :)
-
What's f2f?
-
Face to face, as opposed to on-line (like this one.) :)
-
I like my new f2f book club. Last month was Defending Jacob and we had a really great discussion.. I was amazed at the number of women who fiercely defended Andy, the father, when I was appalled with him.Sigh.
-
I'm listening to the audiobook of The Goldfinch. I was able to get it on my ipad because of the library's set-up for online borrowing. It's a very interesting story, but very slow going. The author gives so many details as the protagonist remembers a traumatic event and its aftermath. I'm not quite halfway through it. I only have it for a week, i probably won't get it finished. I read a review by a reader who said the first 250 pages were very good, but then it went downhill. I'm not sure what that meant. Have any of you read it? I won't say any more so as not to be a spoiler.
Jean
-
Steph, I was appalled also. Because of sympathy for one person, he destroyed the lives of three others.
-
My last face to face club was at the library year ago. I left it. Was 15 min. Talking books and 45 chit chat. On what to read in coming months and what they had been doing all week.
-
I've just finished "Devil Amongst The Lawyers", a novel by Sharyn McCrumb. It's based on a true story of a young woman in rural southwestern Virginia hill who was tried in 1935 for murdering her father - not long after the Lindbergh kidnapping trial.
The national media picked up the story and city newspapers sent reporters to cover the trial. The story follows three of them who have preconceived notions of the "back in the sticks" location/lifestyle and have already decided how they will write/photograph their articles - plus one reporter from a smaller newspaper who sees things differently.
The author does a good job of illustrating how media can influence opinions by slanting language/descriptions and pictures. The "back stories" of the four reporters and the accused are woven throughout.
Although I read small segments during the week, I read until 2:00 a.m. last night because I couldn't stop until I saw how it ended.
For those who are going to take part in the discussion of "Blue Highways", this might be a good companion read.
-
Shame on you, Callie! I love Sharyn McCrumb - and just had to get that one for my iPad. ::)
-
Sorry 'bout that, Maryz. ;D
This is the first one of hers that I've read. I will read more.
-
I've heard McCrumb speak, too. She's a nice lady.
-
Hmm, will look for it. I am a big McCrumb fan..
-
I truly love Sharyn McCrumb's books also. My favorite is The Rosewood Casket.
-
I've never read any of Sharyn McCrumb's books. But you people have convinced me to try one. Think I'll start with She Walks These Hills.
Marj
-
Edit of my previous comments on "Devil Amongst The Lawyers": The reporters in McCrumb's books are fictionalized. The names of the lawyers were changed but their part in the trial and the name of the defendant was not. Neither were the location and events surrounding the trial.
Yesterday, I figured out how to "borrow" a book from the Metro Library System on my Christmas present Tablet. I put "Lilly and Dash" on as an experiment and am enjoying it, but will be looking for familiar authors as I get more proficient with the process.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I'll just add my own enthusiastic YES for Sharyn McCrumb.
-
That is a Spencer and Norah book of Sharons.They are variations of old mountain tales and absolutely incredible.
-
Steph wrote, "That is a Spencer and Norah book of Sharons."
What book are you talking about, Steph?
Marj
-
Someone mentioned a Sharon McCrumb book that they had just acquired. I meant that. They call them "The Ballads" and they are variations on old folk lore and mountain stories. Spencer is the sheriff and Nora is the old mountain woman who keeps him straight as he solves problems.
-
Nora is Norah Bonesteel, who has "the sight". The books that feature her are delightfully creepy. Spencer Arrowood is the sheriff who investigates various crimes and misdemenors.
-
Norah is in "Devil Amongst The Lawyers"! However, I didn't think she was creepy in this one. A few other characters also have "the sight".
Since I wasn't familiar with McCrumb's books, I didn't realize Norah is an "ongoing" character or that having "the sight" is an ongoing plot line.
-
I belong to a f2f book club, but the members are women with whom I worked before I retired. Our friendship goes w-a-a-y back. And, yes, we discuss our lives more than we discuss the book. For the month of March, we're reading "Beautiful Ruins" by Jess Walters. And, in between, I'm reading "The Language of Flowers" which I'm not liking, and "City of Thieves" by David Benioff: a story of the siege of Leningrad during WWII.
-
Nora is a continuing character. Not sure the sight is ongoing..She is simply a mountain woman who knows what is happening in the mountains an the old mountain tales. I don't think of her as creepy.. just unusual.
-
I feel like an alien sometimes You all talk about books and authors I've never come across.
This morning I read an article on re-reading. Some people despise it, others love it. I'm one of the latter, l re-read and re-read, then I re-read again. Every time I find little surprises and nuances I missed when I was devouring the plot and my eyes were on the finish line. Knowing the outcome frees you up, I think, to dally on the pages.
I've been watching The Jewel in the Crown on the ABC every afternoon. They seldom make programs like that anymore. Here it's My Kitchen Rules, The Block(revamping houses) and quiz shows ad nauseam. Much, much cheaper to make, I guess.
-
Octavia - I love The Jewel in the Crown so much - I remember watching every episode years ago with my mother (in the days when we only had 4 TV channels, no DVDs or recorders, so everyone was glued to the same programmes every night) and I recently bought the DVD and rewatched the whole thing, in raptures. I think I must have missed so much the first time, or maybe I just forgot some of it, but now some scenes stay with me as absolutely perfect. Daphne opening her window to feel the rain as the monsoon finally starts; Sarah and her mother and sister on the houseboat in Kashmir....plenty of others, but they might be spoilers so I'll keep quiet until you've finished watching. Two other wonderful TV series from that halcyon time are A Dance to the Music of Time and Brideshead Revisited.
So amazing to think that Judy Parfitt, the perfectly dreadful mother in Jewel, is now playing the elderly, confused nun in Call the Midwife: what an actress.
I don't re-read many books, but I do always return to my beloved Barbara Pyms for comfort, and I never fail to find new things to savour, especially in my favourites, Excellent Women and A Glass of Blessings.
Rosemary
-
I just completed John Grisham's latest, Sycamor Row and found it to be one his best. Anyone read this?
-
I've also recently completed The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt and would love hear others opinions.
-
I am not a Grisham fan at all, so no help there. The Donna Tartt is on my tbr file.. but just now I am reading a Terry Pratchett. This one is not a science fiction as such..The Dodger is very sly.. Dodger is a boy who works the sewers in London in Victorian times.. At the beginning, he meets two men while rescuing a mysterious girl.. One of the men is Charles Dickens?? starting to get what is happening. I love the perfectly straight forward story, while inside, you are wondering where he is going this time. Pratchett is a truly remarkable writer..
-
JimNT, I really liked "Sycamore Row" - and I haven't ever been a Grisham fan, either.
-
I just checked out Ripper by Isabel Allende, and Morning Glory by Sarah Jio. Has anyone read either of these books?
Sally
-
Jim, i enjoyed the first half of The Goldfinch (i did not get it finished, i'll get it again to finish it, maybe ) but, as you can tell by my parentheses, it didn't grab me to devour it. I couldn't get a sense of it going anywhere, it just slowly dribbled out as the protagonist remembered his life. Altho interesting, it was not compelling. The closest thing to compelling was the prologue - how did he get to the hotel in Europe and what's his problem about being there?
-
I read "Morning Glory" by Jio, and talked about it in Mystery Corner (it was listed as a mystery in my library, and it is, though not a conventional one). I liked it: I liked the background of the houseboat community, though thought she could have made more of it. I read it as I read mysteries, not expecting a lot of profundity fr om it.
-
I have read several of Barbara Pym's books and I enjoyed them. Glass of Blessings is not available in our library, so I keep looking at used book stores. Someday.
-
I've started on The Boy from Reactor 4. It is supposed to be about a boy from the Chernobyl area who is into ice skating and a woman who "discovered" him and a mystery to solve. I expected the story to at least start in the Ukraine, but it starts in NYC. The boy is already in the states and is playing hockey. The story switches to the journalist. The Russian and Ukrainian crime bosses are quickly involved. So far, there does not seem to be any tie-in between any of these elements. So far, only one chapter has been devoted to the boy. The story jumps around a little. Because of that, or more probably because the characters aren't that interesting to me, I may not get around to finishing it. I'll read a few more chapters, at least.
-
Thrift Books offers Barbara Pym. I have found them to be totally reliable.
http://www.thriftbooks.com/searchresult.aspx?searchtext=barbara%20pym&searchby=author&intsortby=1&intsortorder=0
-
I have Jio on my list to find, but have not thus far..I just finished a Fannie Flagg...Last Reunion of the all girl filling station. Not as good as most of them, but still interesting.
-
Steph, I love Fannie Flagg; and I agree that Reunion was not as good as her earlier ones, but still worth reading. So far, I am really enjoying Sarah Jio's Morning Glory.
On the other hand, I am struggling with The Son by Philip Meyer. It's a long book that skips back & forth between characters & times. I really don't like books that do that. To me it interrupts the flow of the book. I have read about half & if it wasn't a ftf book for this month I would not finish it. My problem is how I am going to review this book when we discuss it as the woman who recommended it is VERY sensitive about comments made about her books.
Sally
-
Barbara Delinsky's The Summer I Dared is in the fiction section of my library, but it is also a mystery. A 40-ish woman is in a boat accident in Maine where some people are killed. In true BD fashion, she begins to question the responses of her family and her own feelings about why she survived. The mystery is how the accident came about.
I found it very compelling and well-written. I like most, but not all of BD's books, they are very much about the psychology of the characters, but not overly so. Her protagonists are almost all middle-aged women.
Jean
-
I like some of Delinsky, although her solutions are always good feeling type.. Her women start out knowing nothing, but learn in each book. Interesting approach.
-
Tomereader, you asked, several posts back, if anyone had read Trigliani's The Shoemaker's Wife. My f2f group read it last fall and it was well-received and provided good discussion. I've not read any other of her books, so can't help you out there.
I've read only a few McCrumbs. My f2f group read her Ballad of Tom Dooley and that was popular with the group also. It was based on a real situation -- the character was Tom Dula, charged with murder and defended by Senator Zebulon Vance.
-
I have read maybe four
Trigiani books. all fun reads. She has a lot to say about independence and I like that. McCrumb.. Yes, I have been looking up the original Tom Dula, since my summers are spent in Franklin,NC and this took place all around that area.
-
This seems to be the week for "wife" books. I'm reading The Saddlemaker's Wife by Earlene Fowler. I've read four of her books and like her stories. This is a typical "stranger appears in a Calif small town and reveals little about herself" story, altho she's actually related by marriage to several if them. I'm about a third if the way thru and am enjoying her writing.
Jean
-
I finished Dodger by Terry Pratchett. Such a fun variation on the Artful Dodger of Charles Dickens..
-
Jean, I read The Saddlemaker's Wife several years years ago and really enjoyed it. Now Fowler has a follow up to it just recently published called The Road to Cardinal Valley. I haven't read it yet but am hoping the library has a copy. I had read all the Benni Harper series and was getting tired of that series.
-
I'm also (see above comment on "wives week.") listening to a digital loan of "The Paris Wife". A fiction book by Paula McClain "narrarated by" Hemmingway's first wife. I think it would make for a good book discussion. McClain raises a lot of issues about men and women, and marriage, and self understanding, and the effects of the scenes of war on an individual and a family.
My goodness there is a LOT of drinking, every day and for every "reason/excuse."
McClain appears to have done thorough research, although i've never read anything in depth about E. Hemingway, so i can't guadge her accuracy. Her depiction of his PTSD, as we'd call it today, is interesting, and the effects on him as he returns to the place where he was wounded in WWI, and when as a journalist in Turkey where he feels he "must look at it all" even though he wants to leave. I've often wondered about Amanpour and the young man who seems to be at every upheaval for NBC, how do they keep any sense of optimism about humanity, let alone their own sanity, looking at all that violence?
I am enjoying it.
Jean
-
Rosemary, I don't remember Sarah and her family on a Houseboat. I missed a few episodes unfortunately, with doctor's appointments etc. I had hoped my nausea and pain was caused by the aneurism pressing against other organs, but obviously not. Back to the drawing board :(
Luckily I remembered Traude's painstaking work on The Raj Quartet. A labour of love. I've had a wonderful afternoon, reading and reading, and had so many of my questions answered. I was shocked by the ending, but it did show how a horrible and brutal act can be conveyed without graphic detail, as it is nowadays.
-
Oh dear, Octavia, I do hope your doctor can sort it out soon.
Yes, the ending of Jewel was so shocking, and so well done. I didn't want to mention that earlier in case you hadn't got up to it. All of the cast were so good - Susan Wooldridge, Geraldine James, Tim Piggot-Smith, Art Malik, Charles Dance - and of course Judy Parfitt - all of them brilliant. If only they still made TV series like this - but at least now, with the arrival of DVDs, we can enjoy them again.
Rosemary
-
I loved reading The Raj Quartette, so maybe I will get the dvd's..
-
The houseboat episode up in the mountains of Kashmir was my favorite of the entire series, and I think of it quite often. Lake Dal? Dal Lake?
-
I am caught in the middle of a two side thing. I want to get my driveway painted ( common in KIngs Ridge) and got a quote. You must submit a bunch of stuff, so I did, but I am informed they must have a paint sample. So I am calling and calling the company and getting nowhere. Since I gave them a deposit, I am not a happy camper today.
-
The Earlene Fowler book, The Saddlemaker's Wife, turned out to be a mystery as well as "fiction". I liked it very much. It had a surprising twist to the mystery at the end. I was compelled to read far into the night to finish it.
Jean
-
I honestly thought Fowler is a mystery writer. I like her Benny series.
-
I can't figure out how my library decides what is "mystery" and what is just "fiction." James Patterson's and Lisa Scottolini's books are in the "fiction" section??? I use the card catalogue a lot! ??? :D
-
Jean...In my experience, the librarians usually go by the Lib. of Congress cataloging/subject headings [or subject headings for whatever cataloging they use]. Those folks, however, have never been consistent in this sort of thing and then each Librarian may decide that it'll be shelved in "whatever genre" she thinks it belongs. I've noticed the same thing in our local library. It's for that reason that some librarians give up that battle and shelve totally by fiction (and author's last name usually) or nonfiction with the LC number. That drives other people crazy because they want "genre" shelving...westerns, mysteries, scifi, fantasy, adventure, and the more one adds, the more convoluted it becomes.
One of the many "headaches" for librarians trying to please their patrons.
jane
-
I'm intrigued now, I think I'll chase up that episode of the Houseboat online.
The Australian Guardian is having a discussion on what language to write in, British, Australian, or American English. It has a version of all three.
I don't notice too much difference on Seniorlearn, but spell check is constantly horrified by my spelling. I do find my writing gets a bit stilted, because I type so slowly.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
The Earlene Fowler book, The Saddlemaker's Wife, turned out to be a mystery as well as "fiction". I liked it very much. It had a surprising twist to the mystery at the end. I was compelled to read far into the night to finish it.
Jean
Jean, I am presently reading the follow up book "The Road to Cardinal Valley" and it is a very good read.
-
Jean, I'm with you about the library categories. In ours, some of the series books (forget which mysteries just now) are divided between both. I asked about it, but only got a shrug.
-
Our library puts all adult fiction together rather than separating by category. Large Print fiction is separate but not categorized either. I think it's probably more efficient, especially in these days of short staffing. It is also, for us, a space issue.
We have some very creative displays in our library, and often they will consist of one category, such as mystery. This month there is a large display of true crime and another of books about or set in Ireland. Last month, for Valentine's Day, there was a "blind date" display of individual books in decorated paper bags. I didn't pick one up, but a friend did and ended up checking out 3 more books by that same author. Unfortunately, the displays are also there to make room on the shelves - otherwise, for every new book and old one has to be removed from the collection now.
-
We've been able to slow down the books removed ever so slightly since we got a few more shelves. Very recently we have been able to separate the Christian Fiction onto their own shelves. It is still categorized as Fiction, but we have enough books and enough reader interest to separate them. The Amish fiction books are especially well used here. The library patrons are very happy with our new DVD shelving too.
Except for Blue Highways, I am pretty much in between books right now. Lots to choose from, including The Forsythe Saga, Catch-22, and The Day of the Jackel.
-
Our local library chooses to also add stickers to the spines to indicate genre...mystery, westerns, romance, "inspirational" (which seems to include what others call Christian Fiction, including the Amish books), sci fi, fantasy, etc.
That helps those who don't use the computer catalog but are "shelf searchers" to find titles that may be shelved as Adult Fictionbut also could be shelved in one of the genre areas.
Our YA's and Children's books are shelved in other areas of the Library.
-
I like the idea of all fiction being shelved together. And the idea of using stickers for genre sounds good also, then i could still skip the sci-fi stickered ones. ;D Out mystery shelves have exploded over the last decade and it is easier to know where to go for them, but not when there are these haphazard decisions about what goes where.
Jean
-
From a librarian's point of view, it's hard to decide with some authors. For example, is Julie Garwood or Sandra Brown suspense/mystery or is she general fiction or is she romance?
At my local library, they're both general fiction. So, I have to remember to look in the various genre areas to find my favorite authors.
-
A couple years back, our library system did away with "genre" shelving. It is now ALL ALPHABETICAL by AUTHOR. The Large Print books are all shelved together however. Some of the branches used the Stickers showing which Genre, but I think that must have gotten too expensive with all of our branches. I notice lately they do use stickers for "Espanol" and African-American. The "Espanol" seems to have a small, separate area; about one standard-sized bookshelf. They are adding to that all the time, since we have a great deal of Spanish speaking patrons.
-
Jean, I am presently reading the follow up book "The Road to Cardinal Valley" and it is a very good read.
I'll look for that one FlaJeanne.
-
I took a break from reading The Boy from Reactor 4, but restarted with the thought that if it didn't "grab" me I would not finish it. It did. When I got back to it, I was able to start seeing connections between the earlier "scenes". It really got interesting when the action shifted to the Ukraine. No one can be trusted, everyone has a price. We are fleeing from Ukraine through Russia with the help of several people who owe favors. The end appears to be in sight, but there may be another twist or two before it is done.
Some of the action takes place in "the Zone" around Chernobyl. The information about the area, while not extensive, is interesting. Did you know that the government made an effort to kill off everyone's pets because the fur may harbor radioactive contamination? And what is this? They are giving tours there now? http://www.chernobylwel.com/ I knew about the resurgence of wildlife and the ongoing research, but I didn't realize people, not many I hope, still live in the Zone. I never thought about people poaching or scavenging materials that may be "hot" to sell on the black market outside the area.
-
I finished listening to The Paris Wife. I'm not sure if i liked it or not. :D. I think if i had been reading the book i wouldn't have been bored to death and may not have finished it, but listening to the reader was like listening to Hadley Hemmingway telling me her story. She is the "narrator" thru most of the book, it is sort of a stream of consciousness.
I didn't like most of these people, or this crowd, even though are there many creative people whose names i know and would think how interesting it would have been to talk with them. They all seemed to be stuck in their teenage years - lusty, drinking, risk taking behaviors. Of course, alcohol may have been the foundation of the other two. They consumed great amounts of alcohol, seemingly everyday. It appeared they couldn't be together without drinking a lot and it seemed a goal of their gathering to "get tight" and they appeared to not connect the bad behaviors that followed with the alcohol - adultery, physically fighting, car accidents, risky behaviors and, of course, bull fighting. EH, it appears, had a death wish, and was often the initiator of the behaviors.
Although it sounds very negative, as i said in an earlier post, i think it would be a good book for discussion. It made me think about male/female relationships, dynamics in marriages, women subordinating themselves and their interests to support their husbands and the dynamics of this crowd. Of course, there are the Hemmingway books, how they develop from his life. Did you like his books when you first read them or saw the movies? Do you think you would like them now?
So, i didn't like these characters, i think i enjoyed the book and the thoughts it generated. LOL
Jean
-
Jean, I read Paris Wife. Found it interesting; but can't say that I "enjoyed" it. A lot of people find that life style romantic; but I don't admire it. Being artistic doesn't excuse selfish behavior (IMO).
Sally
-
My post should read "if i had been reading the book, i think i WOULD have been bored to death." does that make more sense? ;D
Jean
-
It is NOT fiction, but I do not want to miss anyone in getting the word out. I have my own copy in my hands of Jimmy Carter's new must read book. It is an eye opener no one should miss.
A CALL TO ACTION, Women, Religion, Violence, and Power
-
I have heard that Carters latest book is excellent. So I will put it onmy list, but truthfully, reading has been hard for me. No concentration.. just returning..hurray
-
Just finished "The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine Beauharnais" by Sandra Gulland. It's the first of a trilogy about Empress Josephine, she just meets Napoleon at the end of this book. It was very well written and very interesting. It seemed to be well researched and even had footnotes and explanations of people and events, even tho it is fiction. I will read the next two.
Jean
-
Josephine always interested me, so I will put it on my to be read list.
-
Jean, The Paris Wife sounds interesting and as if it would make a good book for discussion.
Speaking of Hemingway (and I rarely do), the only things written by him that I liked were A MOVEABLE FEAST (a memoir) and his poem "A Clean Well-Lighted Place."
Marj
-
I remember enjoying everything I read by Hemingway - but so long ago. I don't know that I would want to reread them at this time of life.
-
The only three I liked were A Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Toils and The Old Man and the Sea - his later stuff just did not catch me at all - I think by then his writing style was not as a new kid on the block - everyone was more casual writing as we really talk with each other and somehow his metaphor's went by me. The only one I would re-read is The Old Man and the Sea
-
I am in the middle of reading an old book called Love Among the Ruins by Warwick Deeping. It is hard to put down, which is not good since I have two library books to get through especially since one is new and is likely to have others waiting to read it.
Love Among the Ruins is a medieval romance/adventure set sometime after wars involving King Wenceslas (Bohemia), probably sometime after 1389 since there was mention in the book that many of the rebels had fought under him. The place names sound French with Avalon being the only actual place that I can find that was mentioned, Avalon and Avallon. Both are in eastern France, Avalon being a village near Grenoble and Avallon, with pretensions to being the Arthurian Avalon, being farther north. I do like to place the settings of books in some general area and time period.
Here is a blog about the book. It is the only review I could find. It will give you an idea of the author's writing.
https://fillingspaces.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/love-among-the-ruins-by-warwick-deeping/
Deeping sure likes to use color in his descriptions, especially red, green and sable. I had to make use of the dictionary on the abundance of antiquated words, many of which my Kindle didn't have in its' dictionary database. Like the blogger, I intend on seeking out more of Deeping's books.
-
Last night I went to the launch of a book called The 50 Year Sword by Mark Danielewski. I - of course - had never heard of him, but I think he must be famous as there were a lot of enthusiastic fans there. This new book of his can apparently be read in one hour (he recommends that) and has only a few words on each page, as he is into the look and shape of the text as well as its meaning(s). He has also done elaborate art work on each page, it involved sewing pictures of butterflies then unpicking the stitches and 'remaking' the story. I think it's called 'experimental fiction'!! According to my daughter, 'sewn art' is hyper-trendy at the moment (though she seemed far from impressed..)
I'm not sure I understood it, but it was interesting.... The woman beside me kept nodding her head madly every time he made a 'clever' point - maybe you had to be in the Know..
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fifty-Year-Sword-Mark-Z-Danielewski/dp/1908885998/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397567031&sr=1-1&keywords=the+50+year+sword
Rosemary
-
I mistakenly mentioned Hemingway's "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place" as a poem. It was, of course, a short story, available in The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway.
Marj
-
I remember I loved Hemingway's short stories, especially one, "Across the River and into the Trees", I think it was called.....about camping or being in the woods I believe , but memory is fickle......
-
When young, I loved Hemingway.. Not sure if I could even reread him now.
-
well memory certainly is fickle. I looked up across the river and into the trees and it is a whole novel and doesn't sound at all like what I remember. So scrap that....i swear he did write a great short story about camping though!!!
-
May I heartily recommend a current fiction novel: "The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry". The Author's name is Gabrielle Zevin. For booklovers like us, it is a beautiful read. A short book, but there is so much there. It has hilariously funny parts, sad parts, lots of literary references, and a bookstore owner who, in the beginning, is about as irascible and opinated as one can be. Upon his first meeting with Sales Rep from Knightley Press, Fikry is saying "this is not for me". She tells him, "I'd like the chance to get to know your tastes". "Like" he repeats with distaste. "How about I tell you what I don't like? I do not like postmodernism, postapocalyptic settings, postmortem narrators, or magic realism. I rarely respond to supposedly clever formal devices, multiple fonts, pictures where they shouldn't be--basically gimmicks of any kind. I find literary fiction about the Holocaust or any other major world tragedy to be distasteful--non fiction only, please. I do not like genre mash-ups a la the literary detective novel or the literary fantasy. Literary should be literary, and genre should be genre, and crossbreeding rarely results in anything satisfying. I do not like children's books, especially ones with orphans, and I prefer not to clutter my shelves with young adult. I do not like anything over four hundred pages or under one hundred fifty pages. I am repulsed by ghostwritten novels by reality television stars, celebrity picture books, sports memoirs movie tie-in editions, novelty items and--I imagine this goes without saying--vampires. I rarely stock debuts, chick lit, poetry, or translations. I would prefer not to stock series, but the demands of my pocketbook require me to". And so on. This, alone, should guarantee that at least one of us has at least specified one of these criteria in our book choices, or the choices of our book groups!
-
I see the Goldfinch won the Pulitzer. I just don't have the same taste as judges of prizes. I liked the first third of the book, but then there were about 50 pages of teen age boys getting high. I found that pretty boring. Maybe i've just gotten to "old fogie" (sp?) stage!
-
Me, too, Jean. Me, too.
-
I agree with both of you about Goldfinch. It really got too heavily into drugs for me to enjoy it.
Sally
-
Ah, the judges are into new fiction of the type that we rarely like. The best sellers list is a joke. Anything that has James Patterson as a number 1 is very very weird.
-
To me, one strong indication of "taste" in literature comes before me every time BOOKMARKS magazine arrives at my home and I settle down in my easy chair and look in the back at what was on the Bestseller list decades ago and find I can check off that I read almost every book on there and had a reason to choose not to read the others.
Now cometh the Bestseller list in my daily paper on a weekly basis, not one, but four of them, as they break them up differently these days, and I find some weeks that I possess no desire to read ANY of them! ME! One of this world's clan of avid readers. One who has always wanted to be in the loop of the world of books. Blimey!
So be it. I just do not care for trash, and in an inner cubicle of my mind where a shower of thoughts rain down constantly, I cave in and listen to the rather despicable judgment that the vast majority of today's reading public owns no taste. There are, thank the goddess, no end of excellent writers, but they aren't selling like the trash writers. Scary stuff to think about! Where are we going as a species?
-
Our books seem to be dividing in strange ways. We had ebooks, which are really in many cases, books that would never have been published. There are a lot of ebooks that are self done and not very good, but I also have found some interesting stuff. Then the regular published stuff, which divides into new and different and the best sellers.. I simply do not care about authors like the author or Gone Girl.. just flat out hated the book.. I must feel something for someone in a book or it does not hold me..
-
I finished Love Among the Ruins yesterday. At a certain point in the book I guessed who the girl was going to end up with, but not how. The two flawed men? Well, one was a married nobleman and the other was a rebel/thief of mysterious background. The ending scene was something of a surprise as was the disclosure of who the rebel really was. Of course, I was kind of rooting for the loser (naturally). It was a book I found hard to put down, even with the exciting new scifi I was reading.
-
Pretty sure I read Love among the Ruins.. But some time ago. I was rummagine through my TBR and found the last Maeve Binchy. Was in the mood for gentle and she really fills the bill. It was her last book and published by her estate.
-
Just started (in addition to two scifi books) something called Vendetta! or The Story of One Forgotten by Marie Corelli. Writing from South America, the narrator tells a tale that begins in Naples during a Cholera outbreak. Very interesting start. I must be into "melodrama" right now. This is the second book I've read recently that has been criticized for being overly so. I like them anyway.
-
Finished A week in Winter. Oh to find that sort of hotel..
-
I haven't read that one Steph, but I do find Maeve Binchy immensely comforting. She was a lovely woman.
Rosemary
-
This last story of hers was a quiet gentle sort of thing. Not so large and complicated as most of hers. But I would love to stay in that sort of guest house. Sounds so very relaxing.
-
I read "A week in Winter" loved it. Now Steph there are such guest houses around. I have over the years stayed in some good one. I prefer to find them more that staying in Hotels. The best I found were in Ireland. There are some nice ones up in the Lake District of UK.
Will you still be going on your trip?
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Kait and I will be going to London and Paris on 23 May through 31 May.. So that will not be a quiet trip. I feel good and know that if I get tired, I will simply find a nice bench or book a day tour that is mostly riding.. But I do want to go to Ireland and the guest houses sound nice.. but don't want to drive on the wrong side, so will probably do a tour.
-
Since you are a well traveled lady, Steph, you may know this already. In England and Ireland, there are private drivers who will take you anywhere you want to go or they will plan the trip, using B&B's and they will also know all the history of each place. But, knowing you are a single lady now, I suspect you would like taking a regular tour of Ireland. Have you ever looked into Grand Circle for tours. They are online and will send you catalogues by the dozens. But their tours are well liked and the guides are so interesting. Also, they try not to do too much in one day. We traveled with them across Canada and the Rockies with seeing small towns and glaciers and Lake Louise. They book very nice hotels, too.
We have friends who boated through France wine country with Grand Circle. They are the people who first told us about the company. They do cater to older folks.
-
Yes, Grand Circle and Great European and a number of others are all connected. A private driver when Tim was alive was fun, but not alone.. I will do a tour and probably do a circle type to see a lot of Irish countryside.. Possibly a daughter in law or a cousin may go with me.. We will see.
-
Please Steph let us know the tour group you choose - of course when you return we want to hear all about it.
-
That is for the fall. Just now it is an independent with my granddaughter.. I am trying to figure out just how far The Thistle Marble Arch hotel is from Buckingham Palace... and also Tower of London.The first day , we get there, we have all day to roam and I thought maybe the Tower would be a good afternoon place. I can sit outside if I get weary and she can do the jewels and all of the speeches..
-
I finished listening to The Paris Wife. I'm not sure if i liked it or not. :D. I think if i had been reading the book i wouldn't have been bored to death and may not have finished it, but listening to the reader was like listening to Hadley Hemmingway telling me her story. She is the "narrator" thru most of the book, it is sort of a stream of consciousness.
I didn't like most of these people, or this crowd, even though are there many creative people whose names i know and would think how interesting it would have been to talk with them. They all seemed to be stuck in their teenage years - lusty, drinking, risk taking behaviors. Of course, alcohol may have been the foundation of the other two. They consumed great amounts of alcohol, seemingly everyday. It appeared they couldn't be together without drinking a lot and it seemed a goal of their gathering to "get tight" and they appeared to not connect the bad behaviors that followed with the alcohol - adultery, physically fighting, car accidents, risky behaviors and, of course, bull fighting. EH, it appears, had a death wish, and was often the initiator of the behaviors.
Although it sounds very negative, as i said in an earlier post, i think it would be a good book for discussion. It made me think about male/female relationships, dynamics in marriages, women subordinating themselves and their interests to support their husbands and the dynamics of this crowd. Of course, there are the Hemmingway books, how they develop from his life. Did you like his books when you first read them or saw the movies? Do you think you would like
So, i didn't like these characters, i think i enjoyed the book and the thoughts it generated. LOL
Jean
A recent book that i couldn't decide as to my liking, or not.
-
The Paris Wife.. Hmm, sounds as if this era was into people never actually growing up.They flew off to Paris and spend the rest of their lives in infantile behavior. The ones who grew up moved back to the states and matured.
-
Steph - i'm also reading American Moderns by Christine Stansell, a non fiction book about bohemian/Greenwich Village NYC at the same time as Paris Wife and she comments that they also seemed to think. Drinking (and infidelity) was a must thing to do. I would like to read something (sociological or psychological) that would explain why that happened. Of course, that was a period in western countries when throwing off thebands of authority and hierarchal power was in discussion, (anarchism and socialism). and sincemany of these folks were in their 20s i guess that was a natural turn of events.
-
In the UK, the twenties were also a time of great abandon - one war having finished, another probably already on the horizon - BUT I would point out that the people who did all this partying, drinking, etc were the wealthy few. In London, most families were extremely poor and just struggling to feed themselves. I love the depiction of the 'roaring twenties' in things like A Dance to the Music of Time, Bright Young Things, etc but it certainly wasn't my parents' families' experience. Even now there are plenty of people like that, who tend to treat anyone who doesn't join in as a spoilsport - because they have a huge cushion of money to fall back on.
Rosemary
-
There was always the poor but there were levels and even the poor where living it up - the old saying of how are you going to keep them down on the farm after they've seen Paree said for Paris - lots of change with eyes opened to what could be and what existed when the soldiers came back and then girls felt a new freedom because like in every war they had a larger part to play at home and the various appliances meant not the hours of drudgery for cooking and laundry and the big deal here was prohibition so that it was all supposedly on the sly - so that even everyday uncles and grandmothers had their secret stash that was brought out with then mostly family as company, maybe a neighbor or two.
Then if you read any of the Victorian newspapers they are filled with the antics of down and out drunks - one I recently read was a guy who got so slobbered he woke up from London in a hospital in Cleveland USA - several reports of his friends loaded him on a boat buying a ticket and he was picked up so drunk on the docks and put on a train then another report says he was visiting his son in London and again got so sloshed on his return trip that he forgot where he was. Anyhow all to say drinking was on a different scale than today and did not change till around the 90s because I remember in the 80s it was still the 'in' thing for a builder to design a home with a bar that opened onto the Den - In the 20s drinking sounds more like the drug scenes of the 60s. The first AA was not till the end of the 30s.
-
Yes, I suspect Prohitition did the opposite of what was intended. People drank and drank, and loved it because it was forbidden. I lived in South Carolina, when you could not buy a mixed drink and had to buy a bottle at a state store. People tended to drink the whole b ottle.. and/or drink the illegal stuff, which was horrid. Tasted it once. UGH
-
I have always thought that the depression here actually occurred all over the world. I don't think we were the only ones touched by poverty in the '30's. I don't know if any other country tried Prohibition as we did. Remember the speakeasies that one saw in the movies?
Also, we still hear of the awful drug parties/dances? all over the world called "Waves". They've been going on since the '80's. I can remember watching a British mystery back then where the detectives would go into a "Wave" location searching for someone's child or an adult that was defending the "Wave", just to profit from those kids. And remember how the young were invited? By driving on certain roads that contained coded invitations up like signs, that were directing people to weddings and such? Frightening!
-
I heard them called "Raves", but maybe UK is different.
-
I have always heard Raves the U.S.
-
Barb: Those of who lived with alcoholism second hand no longer find portrayals of drunks funny. Foster (Somebody) was a popular comic act but no one would laugh at the antics of someone who is high on any of the other mind-altering drugs one hears about. Seems to me that getting drunk is also getting high; one is unlawful, adopting the other becomes a rite of passage. Somewhere there must be a place for addicts to co-exist with non-addicts . . .
-
my guess is when drunks were so prevalent with no one knowing the cause or a way to stop so that everyone had to live with it - families were ruined the drunks only relief was to have their stomachs pumped but then of course right back at it.
I think the only way many people coped as we still cope with what we feel helpless to change is to laugh - oh we can moan and we can get angry and we can even disconnect but then it was such a common occurrence and so you could have a pickle face about it or if you were a kid either living in fear or as a tough kid or an adult who was not going to let the drunk win and get them down they laughed which minimized the drunks and the affects of their drunken behavior. Comics provided the scenarios that many had not witnessed but the behavior rang a bell so it was a valve release for the frustrations of those living with or surrounded by drunks.
Today we know something can be done so that we almost get impatient with those who will not do the work and since we are not helpless to take care of ourselves we do not need to minimize the disease or its manifestations by laughing.
-
Barb: Thans for the heads-up, say I, now a former pickle face. Love that description!
-
I once knew a former alcoholic who loved to spend hours talking about all of the places he visited just to drink an dthen then drinks and how to make them.. Never understood it, but he seemed to stay sober that way.
-
It has always been my observation that it has been males who think drinking and being drunk out of your mind is funny. I do not recall ever in my long life hearing females making fun of drunks or mimicking being drunk, but men do it all the time.
-
Many women drunks tend to hide it. Had a very good friend and I never guessed until she decided to stop and ask her friends to help her. She did stop and never looked back..
-
I'm right there with you. Had folks very near and dear to me who quit, and plenty who never did. My stepmother was a dear sweet little alcoholic. She would wander around the house in the dark in the middle of the night in her little nightie, drinking whisky she hid in the toilet tank and other impossible to find places. When she was on such a binge, she would just sleep the days away. Dearest person I ever knew, but she never completely quit. A dear friend, one of my few still living, went to AA and has 37 years of sobriety now, and counting. Like you, I never guessed until she told me. Another dear, dear friend tried AA, did the 12 steps, surprised the hell out of me when she told me, then failed, her husband divorced her and got custody of their 4 daughters, and she went home to a far off state, remarried, and died on her own sofa one day, dead drunk and dead in every other way. A lovely person. It drives me nuts the way our brains are wired. You want to DO something, and you just flat out can't. The person with the urge is in the drivers seat, and there is no changing someone's life for them.
-
yes, our hard wired brains interest me.. The things that seem built in always surprise me.. I know that I am not afraid of heights, but don't like to be on the very edge of anything.. and tried to tour a submarine years ago and flat out stopped on the ladder and have to come back up.. Hmm. had not thought of that for years.
-
I've just started a very interesting book, A PLACE OF GREATER SAFETY (1993) by Hilary Mantel. Re the French Revolution. She starts off talking about the childhoods of three men who were to lead the revolt -- Georges-Jacques Danton, Maximilien Robespierre and and their friend Camille Desmoulins. Puts you right back in 1700s France. That woman can really write! If you like well written historical fiction, you might like this book.
Marj
-
I still have her two English ones to finish..
-
Mantel's Bring Up the Bodies is very good and easier to read than Wolf Hall, IMO. I'm looking forward to the third book in the trilogy.
Marj
-
Ok. Since I have both here, will take your advice.. I am struggling with the Amy Tan... "Saving Fish from Drowning". Thus far, it is not a premise with the ghost doing all the work.. and lots of complaining.. I will keep going, but the Burma things does worry me. I really dislike unnecessary cruelty.
-
I've not read anything by Amy Tan. The book description for Saving Fish from Drowning sounds interesting, but it get's only mixed reviews at Amazon. Unless someone like yourself raves about a book, I have such a long TBR list that I am inclined to read only books that get a 4+ or better rating at Amazon.
Marj
-
Amy Tan was interviewed last night by Evan Smith the editor of Texas Monthly mag - interesting - you can watch it here
http://www.klru.org/program/overheard-with-evan-smith/
-
I watched the Amy Tan interview last night. It was very interesting. I have read several Amy Tan books--The Kitchen God's Wife, The Joy Luck Club, The Bonesetter's Daughter, & Saving Fish from Drowning. I enjoyed all but the last one.
Sally
-
Sally, I enjoyed the first several books by Tan, but this Saving Fish is hard going..
-
I've only read her Joy Luck Club, and liked it. I started SAving Fish from Drowning, but just couldn't get into it and stopped trying to read it. And that was a bit disappointing because my daughter was going to Burma, the setting of the book, but that wasn't enough motivation for me.
-
Speaking of Burma, a favorite book of mine is FROM THE LAND OF GREEN GHOSTS; A BURMESE ODYSSEY by Pascal Khoo Thwe (304 pp, 2002). I loved this autobiography of a remarkable young man who lived in the mountains of Burma among the Padaung people (their women, called "giraffe women" had necks elongated by rings), his wonderful childhood, later a jungle fighter under the regime of the dictator, General U Ne Win, and his accidental meeting with a Cambridge don who enabled him to attend Cambridge University.
Marj
-
Once upon a time, I thought that Burma was one of the most beautiful places on earth, but after the brutalities in the country, have no desire to go there.
-
Marj,
Would you post that book about Burma in the non-fiction folder? Sounds very tempting to me.
I read "Saving Fish" and didn't think it had the punch when it came to ghosts affecting live people's actions that Lisa See's book, "Peony in Love" did.
-
My 11 year old great granddaughter Bella just got back from a 4 month long Semester At Sea sponsored by the University of Virginia.
They went around the world by ship and visited 16 cities in 12 countries. Bella additionally flew from London to Iceland so as to see that country before coming back home to Maryland.
And her report? She loved Burma the best!
And I now have a screen saver picture of a Burmese sunrise over a landscape which includes a large and beautiful temple plus a number of rising hot air balloons on my computer at work. It is a professional quality photograph taken by our girl Bella!
-
Did you mean to say "11 year old?" I'm thinking of my 11 yr old grandson, I think he would enjoy that. Did a parent go? How is that done?
-
Yes, I said 11.
But most of the student body is made up of third and fourth year college students from around the world. Accepted by the University of Virginia for this semester. It is extremely expensive, but many parents feel it is well worth it.
Here is their website:
http://www.semesteratsea.org/voyages/spring-2014/
And a website the kids several voyages back made:
http://vimeo.com/33061823
Bella's father's mother has just retired from UVA, and has just completed her 9th Semester At Sea voyage. Her husband, Adam's stepfather, is a professor at UVA and taught some courses on this voyage, which he has taken many times as well. So there was an extra stateroom and staff members are allowed to take a family child if that happens. So they asked Bella's parents, my granddaughter Melissa and her husband, and they said YOU BET! They hired tutors from staff and students to teach Bella. The ship is like one big campus, which you will discover if you look at these websites.
-
Here is what Bella wrote in her blog about Burma:
I think Myanmar is my favorite port so far. It will probably be yours too when you read this.
It is a developing 3rd world country. In the morning it is fairly cool, the noon is very hot, then the afternoon and night are a lot better. I'm going to start when we were arriving in port. The water of the river we were arriving into was very, very, very muddy. The way it moved, it looked like it was mud! Only it was actually water.
Our port was a cargo port, so there was no terminal. When we arrived I saw the famous comedy character Mr. Mustacheman. He was chasing a girl, but he couldn't catch her. Some drummers were drumming while Mr. Mustacheman and the girl danced. I really like Mr. Mustacheman's bright green parasol. We soon docked but we had to get our passports because we wouldn't come back to the ship till the end. We wouldn't need our passports in Yangon, but in Bagon we would. It would take a few hours to get our passports, so when we were done looking at the port, Ricky and I watched a movie. Finally the passports were ready, so we got them and left the ship. Our driver and our guide Hong were waiting for us, and they drove us to the hotel. The hotel was called Green Hill Hotel. It had a really cool shoeshine machine! You could stick your feet in and it would shine your shoes. Then we went into our room and got ready to eat. We ate away from the hotel, and I was really tired, so I couldn't really enjoy the meal. Then we went to bed. In the morning we went to the Sue Pagoda. There was this huge gold stupa in the middle. We walked around. The stupa was beautiful and because of the way the light hit it, it looked like it was glowing.
All around us people were praying. It felt very holy. After that we walked around and went to an art gallery inside a hotel. They had some really neat paintings. I think my favorite was a painting of a water drop. There was an umbrella with a similar painting, but it cost 28 USA dollars. Then we visited a reclining Buddha. It was huge! A reclining Buddha is a buddha that is lying down. Its feet had very complex designs carved on it. The Buddha had really long ears and a golden outfit. Once I saw birds perch on his eye lashes and go up his nose!
Then we went to look at the house of Aung San Suu Kyi. It had a big wall around it, so we couldn't see anything, but it was still really cool, knowing that she lived there and stood where I had stood. Then we went to a really big pagoda with a golden stupa. I learned that I was born on a Friday, and I washed my Buddha in the Friday corner. We walked around and saw a replica of Buddha's tooth. Our guide told us that Buddha had 40 teeth. Then we ate dinner at a place that looked like a castle on a boat. It was on the water and a dancing show was on. We even saw Mr. Mustacheman again! We had to wake up really early to fly to Bagon. When we arrived in Bagon, we met our guide Win and our driver Hong. They drove us to the Shweziagon pagoda. He talked about the history of the pagoda. We walked around looking at the buildings. We saw some statues about the life of Buddha when he was a prince. There was a huge golden pagoda. I learned that the children who lived in Burma have a 3 month summer break. All of them were pointing at us because we were foreigners and we looked very different. Once I saw this very cute little girl and her mother. The little girl had traditional make-up/sunscreen. She offered Sara a butterfly pin. It was so cute! Then we drove to another pagoda. This one had another market surrounding it and so many people wanted me to buy something. Then we went inside the pagoda. It had really big golden statues of Buddha inside. It was cool inside, which felt really good after the heat. The walls had faded paintings and you could tell that they used to be very colorful.
Later we sat outside and bought a few things. I was going to get some elephant pants, but we had to go soon. I asked for some in my size, and they brought out a ton of them just as we were getting into the car. Our guide closed the door, and they were left behind. We stopped at another pagoda and when we got out, the same sellers were there. We asked them how they got there, and they said they followed us by motorbike. I bought some elephant pants, and then we drove to a group of brick pagodas. We were all hungry and hot, so we ate, went to the hotel to rest, and when we were done we went to another pagoda. There were gigantic golden buddhas in the main rooms. One Buddha's face changed from happy to serious when you looked at it close, then far away. The hallways to the statues had shrines and little niches with mini Buddhas in them. We walked outside and took pictures of the pagoda. There was this really nice reflecting pool showing the image of the pagoda in the water like a rippley mirror.
Then we went to a temple where we climbed these really steep stairs to get to the top. By really steep, I mean so steep that to go down I have to sit on one stair and slide down so my feet touch the ground. Then I had to repeat the process. When we got to the top we watched the sun set. There were a lot of SASers (ship people) around. I took as many pictures as I could, but my battery in my camera died soon.
On the next day we went on a 1½ hour drive to another town. On the way we stopped to see a novitiates ceremony. That's when the boys get to shave their heads and go to a monastery for monks. Many families have a ceremony for their sons, and everybody gets involved. The boys may or may not become monks but they stay in the monastery for a while. At the end we saw a dancing man "riding" on a really big turtle. He was actually wearing it and there was a set of fake legs coming down from his stomach.
Then we stopped at a really small village. All the people came out of there woven bamboo houses to see us. The fences were made of bamboo. The children of the village and followed and started to play with us.
Then we drove for a while. I saw goats, crops, and drying red chili peppers. We stopped at a monastery for a while and looked at the temples and where they lived. We saw a golden Buddha made of sawdust. It was like paper mache. We ate at a restaurant by a river and saw a beautiful blue, green, and orange bird. Jon and Sara told us that it was called a green bee eater. Then we drove around and went to a lacquerware shop. Nothing was done by machine. I was allowed to go into the workshop and I saw people carving, painting, and making the items. I found it so cool that some of the kids looked only a little bit older than me. Then we drove back to one of the temples we saw the day before, where there was a really nice market. I bought a horse puppet.
On our last day we woke up really early to catch the plane. On the way we saw hot-air balloons in front of a beautiful sunrise. We stopped to take some pictures. When the plane landed in Yangon, we went straight to the ship.
-
Since you say Bella wrote that, she is an extremely bright young girl.. It reads like a professional .
-
Bella did write it all by herself, Steph. I would send you the site of her blog, but you have no email listed here. If you want to email me, I can send it to you.
Bella has always attended private school, but alas, the Country Day School in Easton no longer teaches cursive, much to my dismay. HOW they figure this is a good thing, I cannot fathom!
Anyway, she has had a superb education (her mother went to the same school) and was thrilled to have this opportunity with her grandparents. Her mother set up the blog for her, and all of the family and family friends and Bella's teachers and schoolmates followed along for the 4 months. Bella was a little nervous about her writing, and before she left I instructed her to NOT worry about it, and that she should never approach the task in fear of a blank page and ask herself what she should say. Instead, I told her, she should think to herself what memories she wanted to keep for herself, and then write those down just exactly as the thoughts came to her. That will be beautiful, Bella, I told her; because you are a beautiful person.
And so it was. Mine has been, by very long tradition, a family that values education above all else, and we consider travel educational. Not stuff like cruises, Caribbean island getaways and such, but with the purpose of studying other cultures.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
MaryPage: Will you adopt me?
-
Jackie, I take that as a compliment, but you sho nuf don't need an 85 year old wreck for an adoptive parent!
-
MaryPage, your email is hidden, so cannot give it to you. I think that is something they are doing on the site, since my email used to be there.
Anyway Bella is a bright observant young person and I know you are delighted with her.
-
I've picked up two Marie Corelli novels to read, both I have started. The Mighty Atom and Vendetta!; or, The Story of One Forgotten. I got sidetracked while reading the second and forgot I had started it. It begins in Italy during a plague, and I believe it ends up in South America. This is a story of a guy who discovered his wife had been cheating on him. That might not sound too interesting, but I would be spoiling it by telling you how he discovered this. It's a bit gothic, it think. Anyhow, I haven't gotten to the bit about how he intends to seek his revenge. It is good.
The Mighty Atom encompasses the debate between science and religion that Darwin's revelations caused. The protagonist is a little 11 year old boy whose father believes that anyone who believe in religious "myths" is weak minded and uneducated. To that end, he has his only child tutored at home, isolates him from others of his age, and believes that exercise and outdoor activities are a gigantic waste of time. Not surprisingly the boy is pale, weak, and exhausted by five years of what appears to be intense study. The boy, on an unauthorized outing, discovers a church and thus begins the dialog and clash between the two views.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Corelli
-
It appears that Marie Corelli lived a somewhat unconventional life (see Wiki link in the post below). That did not stop her from going on a diatribe, through her protagonist in Vendetta!, about how upper class women in England were lowering their respectability and moral standards by allowing themselves to sing or act in public. It continued with a dig at England's slide towards the perceived lower moral standards of France and Italy. Her description of Englishmen included being boring, stuffy, straight-laced, and lacking of humor. Interesting, since the story is set in Italy (so far as I've read) and the characters are Italian. The only Englishman (nameless) involved so far is only used as a study guide to a change in persona that the protagonist is trying to affect.
-
Isn't the author English - sounds like she is using the opportunity to spill her own values.
-
Yes, she was Barb. The Wiki article doesn't give a whole lot of info on her other than she was eccentric and she lived 40years with a female companion, giving rise to the suspicion that she was Lesbian. The article also gives the impression that she was interested in reincarnation, astral projection and other "New Age" subjects, but then I think a lot of others were also interested in mystical connections at the time. I wonder if she was into seances.
-
Always wanted to go to a seance..
-
Me,too! Steph, are you in England? What's up? How's the trip going? Are you feeling okay?Sounds like you will wear your granddaughter down to a nubbin'. Sorry its been so rainy. When we were there in '94, we had spectacular weather. It only rained one day while we were traveling from our apartment in London to our B&B in Devon. We were there during the last week of June and the first week in July. Well, there are
always cabs to dept stores and the Wax museum which I think some teens might enjoy. How about a musical? Like "The Million Dollar Quartet" or "The Jersey Boys"?? Is there a new musical out? Something like that?
My granddaughter, 17, truly enjoyed "Hairspray" but its old so probably not on there.
-
Steph, I just found out that one of my niece's and a friend are planning a similar excursion to the one you are now on - London and then some European stops. I don't think they've decided yet where all they want to go after London.
-
Edinburgh of course!!!
Rosemary :-)
-
I say YORK, if it must be only one place. York is beyond wonderful. Or so it seemed to me. I spent 3 days there.
I like Western Scotland better than Eastern Scotland. Visit the Western Hebrides, or at least the inner Isle of Skye. Lovely.
Don't miss Salisbury Cathedral. I tended to be a cathedral hopper, myself; and this was my favorite. Oh so incredibly lovely.
Driving through Kent and seeing the oast houses is a treat. Cornwall is such fun. Start out hugging the north coast and you will soon see Doc Martin's Port Wenn, which is in real life known as Port Isaac. They may well be filming there! Then hug the coast all the way round to Land's End (and have a Cornish Pastie; I did not much like them) and then follow the southern coastline into Daphne du Maurier country (Rebecca!) and you can see her home, which was the prototype for Manderlay. I stayed in Fowey and loved it!
England is such a gem. When my great granddaughter Bella was in London earlier this month, and had only 3 days, the first things she headed for were the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles! Relics of Ancient Egypt and Greece! It is too funny, when you think of it, but I cheered on those choices. Here's Bella in London:
-
London was our last port. It wasn't even a port, it was just a place for the ship to get rid of us. The ship didn't dock in London itself, but in Southampton. After we had said our tearful goodbyes to the ship and our new family there, we got onto a shuttle to London. I had a slight cold involving a sore throat and a stuffy nose, so I couldn't enjoy the first 2 days as much as I would have been able to. Don't worry about that though. Once we arrived at our hotel, we settled in and started to explore. We ate lunch at a restaurant close to the hotel. Then we walked to the famous British Museum. Inside the museum we saw the Rosetta Stone. The Rosetta Stone is an artifact that has Egyptian hieroglyphics and Greek writing on it. Since historians didn't understand Egyptian hieroglyphics back then, they used the Greek writing to figure it out. We also saw the Elgin Marbles. The Elgin Marbles are remains of beautiful friezes and sculptures from the ruins of the Parthenon in Athens. After we were finished looking, we went back to the hotel to take a nap.
When we woke up, we went to eat dinner. When we were done eating we went back to the hotel to sleep.
Next Day
This day Granddad and Doodah's friends led us through some of the city. Their names are Pau and Rosere with their girls Nuria (8 years old) and JoAnna ( 6 years old). We walked along the edge of the Thames river. I saw the London Eye (we didn't go into it) and many tall skyscrapers, including one called the pickle skyscraper.
JoAnna, Nuria, and I were talking and we kept saying different words that meant the same thing. It was really funny. Let me tell you a bit of the differences between British english and American english:
crisps: chips
chips: french fries
pants: male underwear
trousers: pants
sneakers: trainers
bathroom: loo or wash-closet
boot: trunk of a car
lorry: truck
knickers: female underwear
Walkers crisps: Lays chips
bangers: sausages
flat: apartment
glue: gum
pudding: desert (Harry Potter makes a lot more sense now!)
bonnet: hood of a car
torch: flashlight
lollypop man: crossing guard
lift: elevator
chemist: somebody who works at a drugstore
That is pretty much all I know, but their is probably a lot more. Now, back to what we did. It was beginning to be lunch time, so we ate in a small skyscraper called Tate Modern. It was basically an art museum, so we went to a free exhibit. I had fish and "chips" (french fries). Once we were done eating we took a taxi boat to a different spot a long the Thames and got on a red double decker bus. I saw Big Ben! I expected it to be a bit bigger, but it was still really cool. When we got of the bus we were really close to Nuria and JoAnna's flat. We stayed there for a while then we walked to a nearby pub and ate.
Next Day
On this day we did some of our own unguided touring. We went to the Tower of London. It had the Crown Jewels inside, but it was to expensive to go in plus there was a long wait, so instead we admired the outside. Then we got into another taxi boat to Greenwich. While we were there we ate lunch and went to an observatory. Again, there was a long wait to go inside the main part, so we just stayed outside. I stood on both sides of the prime meridian at the same time! Then we took a taxi boat to a stop close to Buckingham Palace. On the way I saw Cleopatra's Needle and the new London Bridge. When the boat arrived to our stop, we walked to Buckingham palace. We stood outside the gates and watched the unbelievingly still guards. They only moved when they occasionally marched back and forth for exercise. Then we ate and went back to the hotel.
In our last few hours in London the next day, we just went to the airport, checked in, and flew to Iceland.
-
Did anyone read "The Language of Flowers" by Vanessa Diffenbaugh? I am now reading for f2f book club, and while the story is a sad one, there is much to think about and enjoy.
-
I read it. It wasn't my usual type of book, but someone gave it to me, so I read it and passed it on to someone I thought might better appreciate it.
-
Tomereader, I read & enjoyed The Language of Flowers. Let me know what your reading group thinks as I may want to recommend it to my ftf club.
Sally
-
It is scheduled for July (I think) and can you believe the only male in our group was the one who suggested it!
-
Home last night and still working on some other time system. We loved the off and on buses in London. We could make a circle and then go around a second time to what we wanted to do.. An easy way to see what is what.
-
I cannot BELIEVE you have left and returned already!
-
I know MaryPage - where did that time go?!
Steph- I'm glad your granddaughter liked London, but I'm amazed she liked it better than Paris - my daughters loved Paris (one of them also likes London and the other one really doesn't.)
Edinburgh is starting to get very busy with visitors and soon the Festival will quadruple the numbers. The trams started running commercially yesterday too. I am beginning to think I might spend part of the summer up in Aberdeen, where we will soon have a very teeny house - but one that does have a garden with a stream at the end of it. I love Edinburgh but I think it is best in winter.
Rosemary
-
I liked London better than Paris (don't disown me, PatH), but I think it was because it was Winter and rained the whole time we were in Paris.
-
I think that not speaking French was what bothered Kaitlyn..She also was not happy when she discovered we had to pay and pay highly for going to the Louvre . She liked British Museum so much. I wanted her to go to D'orsay, but she decided not.. She also did not like French food,, she is still a typical American teen.. burgers, fries, etc etc
-
I just finished reading DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth because it is to be discussed in another book group to which I belong. Really sorry I wasted my time on this Young Adult book, first of a trilogy. Very repetitive. Way too long -- almost 500 pp. I certainly won't see the movie being made from it. I've been finding only a string of bad books lately -- I should have tossed this back without finishing it, as I did with the others.
Marj
-
Kaitlyn read two of the three Divergent books on Kindle when we were overseas. That was her night book.. She loved it, and wants me to read it.. maybe I will sample it.. So far behind just now..Started a fascinating new book The Assassin's Accomplice by Kate Clifford Larson... subtitle Mary Surratt and the plot to kill
Abraham Lincoln.. Good research and of course true.. Thus far, I love her reasoning.
-
Has anybody read Invention of Wings? A novel that includes the lives of the Grimke sisters? I just got it on my library digital page, i was 37th when i first asked for it.
Jean
-
Jean, I read Invention of Wings a couple of months ago. I thought it was very good.
Sally
-
Loved the book on Mary Surratt even though I disagreed with the author based entirely on what she wrote.. Her semi hero is someone that I think should have been tried. He really seemed to always be johnny on the spot and then quickly turned into an informer when suspected. I think Mary knew a lot, but not enough to be hung.
-
The general who carried out the order to hang her was only following orders; he felt very strongly that she should not be hanged. He was an ancestor of mine, and I feel an obligation to explain he had nothing to do with the sentencing, he just carried it out. A lot of people were angry for years afterwards, however, when they heard his name. Typical ignorance of other folks lives and livelihoods: you don't refuse an order in the military just because you do not like it!
-
Steph, what is the name of the book regarding Mary Surratt that you liked so much?
Marj
-
The Assassins Apprentice.. Written as true by a professor of history. Excellent research, but I still believe that the man she quotes from what he wrote was a better candidate to hang. But he sang and sang and sang and really got Mary hung.
-
My library doesn't have Assassin's Apprentice. Invention of Wings has 37 reserved with 31 copies but large print has only 10 of three copies. Learned something new today.
-
Jackie, I believe the title of the book about Mary Surratt is THE ASSASSIN'S ACCOMPLICE by Kate Clifford Larson.
Marj
-
I could be wrong or maybe the focus changed but I thought this discussion was about Mary Sutter from the author we are reading this month who also wrote - My Name Is Mary Sutter: A Novel, by Robin Oliveira
-
I think we had 2 different discussions going at the same time. I was talking about Robin Oliviera'a "I Always Loved YOu" about Mary Cassatt the artist, someone else was referencing the book about Surratt, who was hung for her part in Lincoln's assassination. Mary Sutter is also by Robin Oliviera, relating to neither of the refernced persons.
-
Haha I just lost it... ;) :D
-
Yes, yes, the Surratt book is accomplice, not apprentice. A truly senior moment. Liked the book, but disagree with some of the conclusions. Her son got off scot free.. Amazing.
-
I'm almost finished with Stephen King's MR. MERCEDES. Good read. A bit long (437pp,) but it keeps you turning pages. This time it's a detective story with a nice, retired detective. Not a mystery, really, because you know who dunnit. But the suspense is finding out if the detective will get the killer before the killer gets the detective. I'm becoming a fan of King.
-
I'm liking The Invention of Wings. I have to close off my emotions at times bcs of the treatment of the slaves, but the writing is very good and there is hope lurking since i know Sarah Grimke is headed towards abolition.
Jean
-
I really think I will like the Invention of Wings and must look for a copy.
-
We have a 3-way tie for our next month's discussion. Please help us decide on a book for July. Vote now at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/77TM6S7
The books are:
Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise Kiernan
The Greater Journey - Americans in Paris by David McCullough
Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Aha, walked into a used book place and scored Invention of Wings for 2.00 and had a lovely chat with the owner to boot.
-
How nice for you Steph. I think you will enjoy Invention. I found the second half of the book better then the first half, but she had to set up the circumstances.
Jean
-
Now for the time to catch up on my TBR pile.. I also have the Pat Conroy " My reading life" and it looks interesting.
-
Finally found a book of fiction that I loved -- after a string of duds!
THE STORIED LIFE OF A. J. FIKRY by Gabrielle Zevin
Great book! A+ Thanks, Tomereader. I think you recommended it.
Marj
-
I started reading Ice Station Zebra. It is nothing like the movie. Just now read the synopsis in Wikipedia which confirms that it has little in common with the movie. I think I will forgo reading the rest of the book. It seems rather dull compared to the movie, and I am not all that thrilled with MacLean's writing so far.
-
Marj, I agree. I read A.J. about a month ago. Good book!!
Sally
-
I really want to get the A.J.Fikry book, but it has not hit used books or thrift shops and in the summer, I do not have privileges at this library, since I do not have a NC drivers license.. I can use the library, but only in it, not take out.
-
Steph, I'd think with a rent or a utility receipt they'd give you a library card.
-
MaryZ, I was going to say the same thing. Perhaps some kind of tax receipt. Anything to show residency.
I want to read that Fikry book, too, STeph. It's on the TBR list.
-
To join our libraries you just need proof of address, eg an official letter posted to you from a utility company, tax office or whatever. Maybe it's not the same where you are Steph?
Rosemary
-
No, I own the manufactured home, but not the land. So no real estate tax, but an automotive type tax. If I voted here, I could get a card or paid real estate tax.. I am a resident of Florida, my cars are tagged there, my drivers license, my voting, etc etc and I don't want to mess with that. Water is included in my ground rent. If I want to make an issue, I can, one of the other women here did, but it is not that important, since I do a good deal of looking online, etc for books.
-
I have hardly used the library since I discovered Thriftbooks. Their selection is so pitiful it is hardly worth the time to go there.
-
I SO totally agree with you about ThriftBooks! I decide I want a book, or all of the books by a certain author, or a whole list of books by different authors. On to their website I go and order book after book after book. The total comes to almost nothing, and I have not spent a cent on gas or expended foot effort. The books literally fly into my mailbox in no time at all, and they are MINE to read whenever I get to it! No due dates! No sweat! I adore ThriftBooks!
-
I love thrift books,but the Call the Midwife series is totally out there. Boo..But I know I scored most of my David Finch stuff there along with Elizabeth Ironside
-
There is another great used books place called BEST WORLD BOOKS. Try it for stuff you don't find on the Thrift Books lists.
-
thanks, will give it a try. I looked in London, but they are all out there as well and the new copies are quite expensive.
-
Thanks for mentioning Better World Books MaryPage. I never heard of them and have discovered there's one not too far from me.
-
I read The Divorce Papers while we were at the beach. I enjoyed it - definitely not heavy stuff. I like the epistolary format every once in a while. Thanks to whoever recommended it.
-
It is, indeed, Better World Books, and not Best World Books. My mind must have been engaged elsewhere when I typed that.
Anyway, I have ordered from them several times, with good results. For some reason, I prefer working with Thrift Books, but Better World is good when Thrift does not have it and they do.
-
Have a note to tryBetterworldbooks. Just now I am argjing with popups that are audio as well as video and should not be showing up on my screen. also trying to download a windows 8 application for my printer up in the mountains, thus far, no luck.
-
Its the audio that comes out of nowhere that drive me insane - I have to get out of whatever I was looking for in order to stop it since I have no clue where it is coming from.
-
Unexpected audio is why I keep the sound muted on my computer. :D
-
And sites that have moving/popping up and down ads on the side of a page where i'm trying to read an article are driving me crazy - very distracting!!
Jean
-
I've gotten a bunch of used books from Better World Books, and have never been disappointed. Never thought of going directly to their website - I've always gone through Amazon's list of used books to get books from them.
Marj
-
I always have my sound turned off, but also there is something checked off on my computer that says do not allow pop-ups. You might ask some young thing where to find that and check it. Not I, obviously, but then I do not qualify as a young thing. Damn!
-
jean, I rarely have a window open to full screen, so when those moving ads show up on the side, I just slide the window over so I can't see them. ::)
-
I do have no popups checked, it is only on seniorlearn.. so am baffled as to whether it was hacked somehow or what.
-
Steph...does it happen all the time, or only when you've been to another site first?
I've had music that was embedded in an ad at other sites follow me, even when I thought I'd closed that window, etc. I hadn't and so it continued to play.
I assume you've shut your computer completely off...all the way...and then restarted it and come here first. Did you still have that video?
To the best of my knowledge, we have no video ads here, no music embedded, etc. The only ads are the static ones.
-
worth a try why not go back into your history and find a link to Senior Learn from before this became a problem and link onto Seniorlearn from that link - if there is no problem than bookmark that link. You may have to go into last months history after you hit History hit all history and it will give you a menu of back months to open
-
I turned off the computer.. and then restarted. I am at a loss as to why only on Seniorlearn. Seems odd.
-
I wonder Steph if the companies advertizing are affiliates of Amazon - those who sell their products on Amazon often Amazon fronts an ad for them - Today I have two ads for Amazon - one just the tiny icon in a rectangular shape of about 2 to 3 inches wide and the other across the page something about the Kindle and then a fatter across the page ad from hula about watching TV on the internet - earlier there was an ad of equal size something about a B&B ebooks - but these ads are so light with no noise that I can easily ignore them since I do not scroll to the bottom of the page, and I think these companies are affiliates of Amazon so that if we are going to have the income from Amazon I think that is what it is...
-
I get those and ignore,no, these are right hand corner. color and video and nose.. and no, absolutely no way to turn them off.
-
ah Steph I saw in another discussion you found your culprit and it sounds like you have this to live with - oh oh oh - I would write them a letter and tell them that you will be sure NEVER to buy any product or service from any of those who advertize with sound and any that take up more than 2 inches of room on your computer and you will also tell your friends on face book not to buy these products and services.
-
I am patiently prying through my computer looking for what is causing it. My computer whiz is back in Clermont.
-
I am reading and enjoying "Desert Queen" about Gertrude Bell. Amazing woman and well thought of throughout the political worlds of Asia and England, especially during WWI.
-
She was an amazing woman, and I have huge admiration. However, it was a mistake on her part, albeit a well-meaning one, to put 3 different tribal groups (mainly; there were more than that) together and call it one nation named Iraq.
I am also reading a non-fiction book of great fascination: The Assault On Reason by Al Gore. He wrote it in 2007, which already seems an age ago. Beautifully written.
-
Found an older Anne Tyler... Digging to America and read it .. Not quite sure how I felt, but as always loved the Baltimore story..She does love her area.
-
Aside from Cloud Atlas, I am reading an old book called By Right of Sword (1897) by Arthur W. Marchmont. Set in Russia, it is about a man who switched identities another who looked remarkably like him in order that the latter could escape a duel he was bound to lose. The imposter was an Englishman, who was, at the time, depressed over losing a girl to someone else and had planned on joining the Russian Army in hopes of getting himself killed in battle. Of course, things don't work out as he planned (several times in fact). The person he impersonates turned out to be more of a scoundrel than anticipated. Duels, kidnappings, spies, secret police, entanglements with several women, an assassination plot against the Emperor, murder, thwarted escape plans, and blackmail keep this book jumping.
When I looked up the author, I found a link to the Library of Congress for a 1904 silent short film apparently based on a play produced from the book. http://www.loc.gov/item/varsmp.1576 The only actor listed with IMDB for the clip is Ralph Stuart.
Stuart has only five movie credits to his name. It looks like he did a lot of plays. http://books.google.com/books?id=H_DmAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA6-PA1&lpg=RA6-PA1&dq=Ralph+Stuart+actor&source=bl&ots=btUtnIGvv7&sig=n5OMlO9hO2uWvwDupZwmnUOP62g&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ObzCU6jKGtKTyAT51YCYCA&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Ralph%20Stuart%20actor&f=false
Even thought Marchmont wrote many, many books there seems to be precious little information about the man himself. The only source I saw gave a very brief bio the gist of which is that he was English and the son of a clergyman. Weren't they all during that era? It appears I have another of his books on my Kindle to read, The Man Without a Memory. Maybe he led a perfectly boring life except for his novels. ;)
Oops, I'm missing Radioman's Classical music program.
-
Wow, there is an author I have never ever heard of.. but truth to tell, I dislike Russian stories.
-
I'd never heard of Marchmont either. The switching identities in the plot reminded me of Daphne du Mauer's THE SCAPEGOAT. A very good novel made into a good movie.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Apparently Salem Library hasn't heard of Marchmont either; e Du Maurier is available so it will be waiting when my library go-to goes to get it.
-
If you have a kindle all the Marchmont books are free
-
Steph, I always found Russian authors hard to read because the characters had unfamiliar name & even MORE unfamiliar nicknames. I kept getting characters mixed up and got tired of always going back to try to figure out who they were talking to/about.
Sally
-
digging into my tbr pile..Scott Turow The laws of our fathers .Just started and a tad confusing, but I have always liked it, so will keep going.It is one heck of a huge book however
-
I'm in the middle of a gripping book: THE BIRD BOX by Josh Malerman. I learned of it from Book Riot's list of "Best Books of 2014 So Far." Kirkus' starred review says "A chilling debut… Malerman keeps us tinglingly on edge with his cool, merciless storytelling and douses his tale in poetic gloom….An unsettling thriller, this earns comparisons to Hitchcock’s The Birds, as well as the finer efforts of Stephen King and cult sci-fi fantasist Jonathan Carroll.”
Per Publishers Weekly, "The sight of something unknown drives people to savagely attack others before taking their own lives in Malerman's terrific debut, a sophisticated update of John Wydham's The Day of the Triffids. First reported in Russia, the mysterious plague spreads to the U.S. where it takes a devastating toll on humanity. The only defense against the madness is to avoid looking at the outside world. "
So...cover your windows and don't remove your blindfold if you leave your house.... I don't often read books like this, but I can hardly put this one down!!
Marj
-
NOOOO. dislike thrillers and horror, so not for me.. I am reading a Faye Kellerman... The Beast.. Very interesting and I realize I have missed at least one of hers since they now have a foster son..Gabe.
-
Why does the library send me 15 books at a time? Trying to finish them before they're due. Aunty Lee's Delights, by Ovidia Yu, is a cozy set in Singapore, quite satisfying http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/y/ovidia
Night Heron, Adam Brookes, starts with a prison break from a Chinese gulag. The escapee, the Night Heron, is a former spy trying to revive his network after his 20 year imprisonment.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/adam-brookes/night-heron.htm
Unspoken, Sarah Rees Brennan. Since her earliest awareness Kami has had an imaginary playmate who 'talks' to her, mind-to-mind, as if he were a real person. She has no secrets nor does he. One day she is in a stuck elevator and queries her 'other', Jared. He replies that he is stuck in an elevator with some girl.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/sarah-rees-brennan/unspoken.htm
-
Whoops! These belong in the Mystery forum.
-
I am reading a perfectly delightful book, The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion. Have any of you read it? Go to Amazon and read the review. I think many of you would enjoy this book.
Sally
-
I read it. I thought it was just okay.
-
Glad to hear you liked it, Salan. I'm just ready to start it. It's currently being discussed in another book group (BookGroupList at Yahoo). It gets a 4+ rating from Amazon readers.
Marj
-
Finished Six Years by Harlan Coben and hated it..What a rip.. What is going on with him.
-
Oh, most of these writers peter out sooner or later, don't they? Too bad they don't know when to quit. Probably goaded on by their publishers, who know the name sells their books.
Thanks for the warning; I won't buy it.
-
His Myron series is still good, but his stand alones have become way out in left field. Such a shame, because he is a good writer, but maybe writing too many books.
-
I hadn't read Harlan Coben in quite a while, but recently finished his MISSING YOU. The main character is a female, a NYC detective who is a well drawn interesting person. Darn exciting book. A little gore, but not bad. Kept me turning pages.
I haven't read his Myron Bolitar books because I'm bored by sports.
Marj
-
They have little to do with sports and everything to do with mysteries of various types.
-
Oh, I'd heard they had something to do with the sports world. If they don't have that much to do with sports, I'll give them a read. Thanks, Steph.
Marj
-
Other than Myron being a FORMER basketball star, and his being an agent for big name sports figures, the books really, as Steph maintains, have little or nothing to do with sports. I am one of the most anti-sports (as a personal interest, not in the sense of being against) people you could possibly encounter, and I found nothing objectionable in that regard in the Myron books. They are funny in a way that tickles my fancy. And I am in love with his parents. Yes, add a big dollop of I'm in love with his parents.
-
Personally, I love the receptionist.. A fine figure of a female so to speak.
-
Tee hee!
-
Having started three different books, that are new authors I had not heard of and realizing therewas a good reason I never had.. Hmm. Started The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown.. Highly recommended and thus far interesting. But I really must not fall for the cozy mysteries, that are not really a mystery, but a disguised romance.
-
Something about your statement started me thinking, Steph. Genres. It's amazing how many I have gone through, and discarded.
I once was on a Gothic kick. It wasn't called that at the time. I know that's not a genre anybody will admit to reading,either, but I could not get enough of them, this was years and years ago. Yes they were formulaic and yes I guess they were stupid but if it had a castle or big house I was hooked. Like Agatha Christie, I like books about houses. Or I did.
Even tried to write one, once, I mean there IS a pattern. I really enjoyed the escapism of those books. I tried horror, but it became too much not of the mind and more of torture, damsel in distress with WAY too many descriptions, and turned into chainsaw stuff, sick, who needs it?
Historical fiction? Cannot manage it. I am too credulous. Every sentence I take as gospel only to find out later it was hogwash, the author's own take on the situation, worse than some Hollywood movie which destroys history for a good show. I mean the movie Gladiator? I rest my case. People like a good yarn and they hope to learn something in the process. But what they learn often makes them a laughing stock when they venture in conversation to say did you know that....and of course it's not a fact. I feel this cheats them.
I like mystery, for instance I have an entire set of Agatha Christie which Bantam once sold by the book, anybody remember that? Every book she ever wrote. Arthur Conan Doyle, his Sherlock (I had no idea that he wrote others until much later on). I once was the Cozy Queen, loved them. Then I began to notice a pattern in the cozy too, not always welcome, either.
At that time it became knowledge that some publishing houses gave the authors of romance and cozy mysteries an outline to follow in writing and fill in. I've seen it, actually, I know one of the writers/ I didn't care but then the Cozy began to change.
The Punning Cozy, BAD puns,,,,,, groan your way through it. It takes a person with a special kindness to read some of those. The ones that disappointed me the most were the Angry Protagonists. For some reason XXX who has started (had it thrust upon her) to be a detective but who runs a (1)cleaning service (2) old inn (3) dog walking service (4)You name it, she's seems to have plenty of time for detecting but she's always cranky. She resents this or that...whatever. I got tired of reading about her irascibility. I wanted to say if you don't like the work, do something ELSE, why should we listen to it? The cranky female put upon entrepreneur detective put me off cozies forever.
So I quit reading "cozies," but I will admit the new TV station "Cozy" has me hooked, as they do a lot of olde tyme TV like the original Avengers with Mrs. Peel and Patrick McNee (sp) in black and white. And The Prisoner, remember that one? Very much like The Truman Movie.
What's left? Coming of age. I used to devour them. Marjorie Morningstar? The best. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn? The best. The Fires of Spring by James Michener, said to be autobiographical. Incredible book. Nobody ever reads it any more. Wouk. Michener, read them all.
But now, a little removed (hahaha) from the actual coming of age process, that does not appeal. I can see it in one's 50's even, but now? Why?
I think the next big genre is going to be Books for and about the Third Age, not 30 year olds, not 40 year olds, people over 65. I really do. Simply because there are more of us in the population, we can still think and feel and make a difference, and there will be proportionately more of us in the next 25 years than any time previously. It takes some intelligence to write one and deal with the issues that appeal to us without dwelling on the negatives and making a soppy romance out of it. Possibly have a heroine one time, just once, who can manage without finding a man at the end. How novel would THAT be?
Elizabeth Taylor's books, Penelope Fitzgerald, books by those familiar with and about the Third Age of life, which is the richest of all, but apparently nobody knows. (Until somebody makes a movie about them which is off the charts). About the human spirit and knowledge. Remains of the Day: masterpiece, but , that was a young author. Ethan Canin, also a young author with the short story which became Kevin Kline's movie The Emperor's Club.
I mean, why DO we read? I am not going to get to redo my teen years, nor my 20's nor 30's or whatever and I don't want to, either. I can't emphasize any more. So why read about it? What am I at my age supposed to get out of it?
I want to slap the cranky maids, bakers, innkeepers with their put upon attitudes, and bad PUNS, so that's out. The mystery genre, not cozy, might be a possibility but in fiction itself, what is left now hitting the shelves?
If you remove cozy and youth, romance and horror (I still read horror but not the victimization kind, the sci fi kind, robots, and the Shirley Jackson/ Patricia Highsmith/ Preston and Childs older books kind) and books on being 30, 40, 20, a teen, what's left? Seriously, in fiction today, what's left?
It might be interesting to take the NY Times bestseller list in Fiction (not mystery) and see what the themes are. Really.
So is THIS why so many people of a Certain Age turn to Non Fiction? Real stuff? What's a reader to do?
-
Interesting post, Ginny. I like to read about what others like or dislike.
Re books about the Third Age, I liked Elizabeth Taylor's MRS. PALFREY AT THE CLAREMONT. Have you read THE NEWSPAPER ON CLAREMENT STREET by Elizabeth Jolley? Very good.
Book descriptions that are a turnoff for me are:
"Charming story"
"Lovely little book"
Coming of age story
Fantasy, supernatural or paranormal
Most horror
All romance
Self-help/improvement (I'm beyond that by now, LOL)
Short stories
Book types I like:
Biography (I'd like to read bios of all our U.S. presidents)
History (mostly nonfiction, not historical fiction (Hilary Mantel, Ken Follett excepted)
Mysteries (except cozies with female amateur sleuths)
Politics (blue vs. red)
Fiction, except young adult
Religion (nonfiction - I keep wondering how people can believe that stuff)
Marj
-
I am reading (looking at) "My Ideal Bookshelf" by Jane Mount. It is a collection of "about 100 leading cultural figures, including writers...chefs and food writers...Hollywood figures...fashion designers who share the books that matter to them most --books that define their dreams and ambitions and, in many cases, helped them find their way in the world". That is a direct quote from the book's fly-leaf. It was amazing to me to see which books appealed to which person, and the artwork by Jane Mount showing the spines of the various books is fun to look at. Even if the person is an Architect and most of their books are technical and relating strictly to their work, there is usually one on their shelf that I have read or "heard of" and a whole bunch that show books/authors I need to put on my list to read. I meant to post this to "The Library" in reference to a post about Rebecca West and a book mentioned by MaryPage, "Black Lamb and Grey Falcon", which was on one person's "shelf". I may just have to buy a copy of this book So I don't have to write down all the titles/authors. The very last page is My Ideal Bookshelf, which is a blank rendering of ten book spines that you fill in with your own personal ten that you can't live without. I am going to photocopy it and give copies to my f2f book club, and have a little fun with that! I hope some of you will get this from your local library and enjoy!!
-
Have you read THE NEWSPAPER ON CLAREMENT STREET by Elizabeth Jolley? Very good.
Marjifay, I'm glad to hear it's good because I bought it some years back after seeing it recommended -- and then never read it. Just forgot about it. I hope I read it. It's a slim little volume, but the print leaves something to be desired. I still read print books, but read more on the kindle or iPad. Easier to hold, easier to see.
You just sent me to the NYT best seller lists, Ginny. And also to my TBR list. So, looking at NYT it seems we like an element of mystery, not much romance, and we tend to follow authors -- like Grisham, R Galbraith (Rowling). Chris Bohjalian, another repeat. I liked both his Midwives and The Light in the Ruins, and he has another one out now, too. Gilian Flynn -- I wonder if movies make a difference in our book selections. Gone Girl seems to have accumulated the most weeks on the list. Events, circumstances -- Donna Tart's Goldfinch is another long-standing choice.
The Divorce Papers (I love epistolary type novels) is on my TBR and the library told me back in May or JUne I was #1 on the hold list. Hmmm, maybe it never got bought.
-
No matter the genre or subject matter, I just want a book to be a GOOD READ. I love to switch back and forth and forth and back with the type of reading I do. Just finished The Art Forger, and found it a very good yarn in one of my favorite settings, the Isabella Stewart-Gardner Museum, in one of my favorite cities, Boston. It also contains something else I just love about a good work of fiction: history and lots of interesting stuff about something I previously had little knowledge of: in this case, how to successfully forge an oil painting by a master; the master being Degas in this story.
And yes, Black Lamb and Grey Falcon is one of my all time favorite reads. Beautifully written by a great master of the writing pen, Dame Rebecca West, it, also, is one of those reads that is chock full of history and worth a couple of college credits in geography, culture, religion, architecture, etc.
-
Just happened to see this. It seems rather timely, re:discussion above.
Fiction and Climate Change (http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2014/07/29/will-fiction-influence-how-we-react-to-climate-change)
Ginny, my f2f group title for this month is one that made me groan and say, "no way." The Rent Collector by Camron Wright -- about a young family that lives in Cambodia's biggest garbage dump. I don't want another book about down and outers right now. Well, surprise, surprise. Turns out this is a fantastic story. I haven't finished it yet, hope that I'll still be singing its praises. Can't say any more because I don't want to create any spoilers.
MaryPage, I think you speak for all of us when you say you just want a GOOD READ.
-
I've read two by Chris Bohjalian, The Double Bind and The Sandcastle Girls. Found both long-winded and rather boring. But Pedln and others seem to like him, so I might give him one more chance and give his Midwives a read.
Marj
-
The Midwife was excellent, but some of his others do tend to go on and on..He has a new one out that I want to read. I am reading and liking The Weird Sisters.. It is really about women who are just beginning to grow up , although they are all in their late 30's.. But she makes it believable. I too just love A good Read.. and most real mysteries, both fiction and non fiction. A very few of the cozies.. Nancy Martin is sort of a cozy, but is fun. Donna Andrews is another cozy type that I like. I love very good fantasy and some science fiction, but not the space war type. and I like historical fiction, even though it drives me to find out what was really happening.
-
Which is a good thing, don't you think? I know, for instance, that while reading the book I just finished, The Art Forger, I Google Imaged every painting and work of art the author mentioned, and thus relished a most excellent course in Art History while enjoying the tale unfolding.
-
Since I love the Gardiner Museum and Isabella, must find that book.
-
It's so lovely to find a book that completely absorbs you. One that you hate to put down and can't wait to pick up. Thank you, Ginny, for your enthusiastic recommendation of The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger. I picked it up at the library a week ago and am just about finished. I love it, and love the epistolary style, the literary allusions, the sly bits of humor. And the characterizations -- fantastic. It amazes me that these emails and notes and legal forms can shape and develop these characters so well. Call it a summer read, a beach read, whatever. It's a GOOD READ. And you'll learn a lot about lawyers, too.
-
Pedln, I am so glad you enjoyed it and what a beautiful book review you just wrote! If I had not read it, I would read it on that recommendation. :)
-
I have put The Divorce Papers on reserve at the library.
Sally
-
I had hoped to score this one at my swap club, but it is on the wish list of many many people, will look at my various used book places.
-
I just finished an interestingly written Maeve Benchy, A Week in Winter. A women opens an inn on the west coast of Ireland in an old farm house. After she has renovated and looking forward to the first week of being open, each chapter talks about the one person/persons who are going to come to stay and why they are coming to Stone House.
I liked it.
Jean
-
I read that maeve Binchy quite recently. It was good. She was an expert in putting together a wide variety of people and then carefully tying them together.
-
Oh dear she did not quit she died - in 2012
-
The Maeve Binchy books are interesting as they have changed so much over the years, as Ireland itself has changed. I am always sorry to get to the end of one of her books.
-
I remembered that she died, but somewhere I read that she left several mostly finished books to be published. I did like most of her stuff, except the one about the Lake years and years ago.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I'm travelling at the moment so took along something I probably would not read at home...."Can You Forgive Her?" Anthony Trollope. First of the Palliser series. Written about 1860.
Well, its gripping once you slow down because the prose can not be read and comprehended as quickly as we are accustomed to be able to do nowadays. Sort of like Latin, you have to concentrate on not losing the thread......! That said, its actually relaxing to slow down, and the story is fascinating. It's about two young ladies who fall for absolute cads, I suppose, and another older lady with two comic suitors and how matters evolve, set against a political backdrop, for which I really need Cliff's notes or some such to help understand. There are about six more books in the series so I think I am hooked for a long time as each one is very long, and written in miniscule print,( so easy to carry about....looking on the bright side.....)
I was struck by the difference between reading a book written nowadays about a time in the past, and a real book, written in the past which I had not appreciated before. Its quite something to become immersed in the world of 1850, similar and different, sort of like reading a foreign book .
-
I adored that book, and all of Trollope; but then, I am a huge fan. Did you know that a perfectly marvelous writer, a first cousin of Rudyard Kipling's, Angela Thirkell picked up where Trollope left off and wrote novels about Barsetshire? I read every single one of her books, too. In both cases, I yearned for more.
Speaking of Angela Thirkell, though, her life was a storybook in and of itself! Look her up!
Did you know there was a television series covering the Palliser books? The adorable Susan Hampshire starred.
-
Yes, actually the TV series was what got me started. We happen to have it and were watching it again recently. I read all the Barchester chronicles a few years ago after watching a great TV series with the redoutable Mrs Proudie played by Geraldine McEwan and a scrumptiously ingratiating Obadiah Slope played by Alan Rickman. Susan H. was in that too........
Angela Thirkall, name very familiar but don't know if I've ever read any of hers.
-
If you are enjoying Trollope, you will love Thirkell. Guarantee.
-
I have that DVD collection of Barsetshire with Geraldine McEwan and Alan Rickman. It is cast and acted just too perfectly.
-
Come on a my house, and we will have a girlie day of watching them while eating miniature chocolate eclairs, macaroons and coffee ice cream.
Just don't forget to bring the DVDs!
-
Wouldn't that be fun...
the other collection I have is Mapp and Lucia - both sets - 1920s with Prunella Scales and Geraldine McEwan and the wonderful Nigel Hawthorne playing the gay friend of Lucia.
-
Oh yes,I absolutely adore Mapp and Lucia!!
Somewhere I read that Prunella Scales has some bad disease or maybe actually no more, can't remember ...That does sound awful...sorry....
-
Just looked up Angela Thirkell....have not read any of her (as far as I can remember!)....will definitely do so now, thanks Marypage....I often do prefer these older authors....I'm a small C conservative but a large L liberal!!!!!
-
I have Mapp & Lucia, too, Barbara, so don't bring those.
Dana, me, too! And again, I guarantee you will like Thirkell. It seems to me her books start in the nineteen thirties. I'll check that out and see what I can find.
Hey, I remembered right, for a change! Here ya go!
http://www.angelathirkell.org/atbrief.htm
-
I loved all of those books, but looking back, I think The Brandons was my favorite. I also think it may have been the one I started with. That was such a very long time ago, it is all obscurred by the fogs of Time!
-
I find that Thriftbooks has a LOT of Thirkell titles in stock, but some of them are quite expensive. Some, though, if you look all through the list, are quite reasonable. Looks as though they republished them all back in the nineties. You might do best to go to Amazon.UK. It is not frightfully expensive to have them shipped over the ocean. Watch it there, though, as everything is listed in pounds. You have to Google the current (today's) exchange rate before you go spending pounds. Otherwise, your credit card is just as good there as it is with Amazon here in the States, and your order will get dispatched just as quickly. I have ordered LOTS of books from Great Britain with enormous satisfaction.
-
I love Mapp and Lucia and have all of the books. they are a periodic reread for me.. Lucia is simply too funny and Georgie is wonderful.
-
Oh these Thirkell books look interesting and some of the titles are familiar but I don't think I have read any, or if so, back in my teens! It'll be a while till I get to them tho, but its always nice to have something in reserve. Thanks again MaryPage.
-
Delderfield had great continuing stories.. and there was a woman, who wrote about houses and their history.A senior moment takes her name, but loved her stuff.
-
Hah.. Norah Lofts. that's the woman who wrote about houses and their history.. good writer.
-
What I find in fiction these days, the thing I am finally analyzing about my choices in reading, is this:
When I was young, I kept up with and read almost every book featured in the best seller lists and Book of The Month. I was almost robotic in slurping up every new offering, and I remember being so shocked and put off by the likes of Philip Roth. As time went by, the passing decades put me out of the mainstream. The movement toward and then into total acceptance of unrepressed sexuality and gutter speech filled with expletives made me turn to cosy British mysteries. I could not then, and still I flinch from, absorb the to my mind uncivilized culture exhibited in so many acclaimed works of modern literature. I confess to finding refuge in any good book from a more civil era. In the same way that the vast majority of network and cable television offerings smite me right into my soul and are impossible for me to adjust to, I cannot dive into the latest best sellers. The immoral choices, the language, the THOUGHTS! The addictions, the lack of duty and responsibility and LOYALTY! No wonder the young are the way they are! I get the feeling my own family groupings are, most of them, a wholesome throwback to the Leave It To Beaver days; but I see those few of my own generation still chugging along having to accept downright earthmoving changes in the mores of their descendants. I have been on the phone long distance with a number I can count on one hand who live too far for further meeting, and they cry over the change in values.
It all goes together, it is a package of time; and I am living in the wrong package these days!
-
I avoid many of the current authors, but still find some I love and a lot of mysteries that are fun. My descendents.. small group.. seem to have absorbed values that their Dad and I worked on and my grandchildren are young enough to still be groping around. So I am not sure how it will work out.I mostly avoid the stupid sex stuff and wonder about how the people live in those worlds. Use Net flix rather than most tv.. I am not a fan of reality tv an really cannot believe that all of a sudden, there are several shows that are Naked Dating...Naked Meeting.. etc. How does naked make it easier or truer.. Hmm maybe my age is showing.
-
At this point I am very seriously considering dropping back to basic on my cable or pulling the cable TV altogether. I may experiment with an HDTV antenna to see if I can pick up local stations before I drop cable.
-
About the only TV I watch is cable. I'd miss the channels that play the old TV programs, like METV, Cloo (they are doing a Monk marathon today -- I love Monk), and the Turner Classic movie channel. Oh, and MSNBC. The only PBS programs I watch are the good ones from the BBC which I wait and get from Netflix.
Marj
-
Got rid of cable about 4 years ago - now I get all four PBS stations where as cable only carried the one - whatever channel 7 is, I never after all these years remember whose who NBC or CBS or ABC - I know the Frog but do not know the call letters and I think our channel 7 maybe is Fox but anyhow, they as of last year have a second channel that runs continuous old movies -
24 hour news was over-kill - if i want to keep up with some latest tragedy I can do it online - I do not miss the movie cable - it is not like they were the latest movies and the few made for TV are what I do not get nor the Discovery Channel or History Channel that folks say are not what they used to be so that the 3rd PBS channel brings me most of the documentaries and History specials I have time to watch.
I have Amazon Prime so I can drop in and watch a movie, many are free, when ever I am looking for something if I am bored. I no longer watch as much TV and I like a football game from time to time but again I can see that on regular TV.
I have rabbit ears that sometimes I have to wrap a bit of aluminum foil around the antenna to keep the static away - the rabbit ears bring in Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS, the Frog which here is channel 51 or maybe it is 54, the weather channel, the movie channel, and 5 Spanish Channels that are sometimes - funny - American movies or an older TV series, even a British nature program that all are in English with Spanish subtitles written on the bottom of the screen.
I also did a week at a time and once, a whole month of No TV - the first time it was really hard - I sat frozen on my sofa sitting on my hands for 3 nights in a row till I took a walk and then back to the sofa and finally picked up a book - gradually without the TV it was like everything had a clarity and the trees were greener and I noticed things and people when I was out of the house. I listen to more music now and do not argue in my head with issues I have no ability to affect but I thought I had to have an opinion about how everything was being handled. sheesh.
-
About the only programs I watch on regular TV are ABC's local news and the game shows, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.
Marj
-
I get very little PBS,,one channel and that belongs to UNC, so it is mostly stuff done by them. No good stuff at all.
I read more than tv,, The Giver has come to the local theatre and although I am not overfond of regular movie theatres, may go. I saw a Meryl Streep interview that made it sound interesting.
-
I liked Lowry's novel, The Giver. Have not seen the movie, but it gets a good rating at IMDB.
Marj
-
I saw The Giver yesterday. I loved it. A powerful message about conformity and love.
-
I liked the novel, The Giver, when I first read it several years ago, but now I tend to stay away from books with a future society theme. I see now that it is the first in a quartet of books. Have any of you read any of the others?
-
I will try Thriftbooks and my swap club to see what they have. I did like The Giver and it did end on an odd note.
-
I think the ending of The Giver was left equivocal purposely. It was supposed to be a YP book after all. Presumably if you were sufficiently optimistic you would believe in the village with the Christmas lights If you were a realist you would believe the kids froze to death (a la The Little Match Girl. That was grisly).
-
If there are four books in the series, I wonder if they continue his story?? Anyone know?
-
Sigh, just couldn't resist spending money on a few e-books again. I rarely buy e-books because I can't pass them on to my sisters or donate them to the library book sales, but the price was right. Amazon has books 2 and 3 of the Marching with Caesar series by R. W. Peake for 99 cents today (not sure for how long), so I got them and the first book. I guess these come under the heading of Historical Fiction and/or Adventure.
-
whew with The Giver out as a movie, it is hard to find any of the series.. Reissue is out, but I always look for bargains.
-
The Marching with Caesar series sounds good, Frybabe. I won't be able to read them, as it looks as if they are only on Kindle. Darn.
Marj
-
Marj, I just checked because I thought they are also in paperback on Amazon. Well, yes and no. It appears that some of them are and some of them aren't. How odd. The last time I looked I thought they were all on paperback.
Barnes and Noble sells the series in both paperback and Nook e-book format. ABE Books has some listed. They all seem so pricey though.
I must have gotten lucky with the e-book prices, only $7 for the first three. You won't find me paying out almost $20 for a fiction paperback, so maybe that is all the farther I'll get to read in the series. My library has neither this series nor the Marius Mules (S.J.A. Turney) series. They aren't listed on Overdrive either.
-
Have you tried ThriftBooks? I find them quite, quite wonderful for almost Everything I am looking for! And I can afford them, and they are extremely reliable.
-
I like thrift but sometimes they don't have any of what I want.
-
They do run out in a hurry, but you have two options with them. One is to keep checking at least once a week, because they have a huge turnover in inventory, and the other is to put what you want on their wish list option and ask for an email notification when it is available. Only last week I was able to find a book that would have cost me twenty some dollars available for $3.39, in very good condition. I had tried several times in the last few months, and they just did not have it. So you get lucky if you persevere. I do so love saving money!
-
I am reading The 100 Foot Journey, and enjoying it so far.
Sally
-
I would appreciate recommendations for books that my f2f group might like for our November session. It must be old enough that our libraries will have enough copies of it for the group (so no new BestSellers). To elicit suggestions: the last two we read, which were "big hits" were
"Ordinary Grace" and last week "My Name Is Mary Sutter". All suggestions are welcome, and I will certainly check each title against library
available copies, and if we choose one of yours, I will let you know.
Thank You!
-
I have not tried the wish list on Thrift, but I think I will for several titles.
-
Do not know how popular the book was for libraries to have multiple copies but "Wave" by Sonali Deraniyagala is not a big book but a book packed with lots to talk about - her entire family, parents included were on holiday at the beach in Sri Lanka when the Tsunami took them all - she is the only one to survive and it is her harrowing story that includes her understandably but uncontrollable hysterical existence, which is difficult to say she was part of the living, that she experienced for a few years till by writing and meeting someone she rejoins the human race - she finds among the debris the shirt her son was wearing - she cannot let go of her parents house after it is sold - it goes on and on.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Barb. Wave is on my TBR list. Along those same lines, a film that you might like -- The Impossible -- based on a real life situation, tracks a family's experiences during the tsunami. With Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor.
-
Letting go is hard. It takes so many many forms.
-
I agree. Grief is so huge and overwhelming. It is itself like a tsunami in the way it floods our senses and submerges our compasses.
-
This is one of my recent reads. Excellent!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The Girl You Left Behind" - Jojo Moyes
From the New York Times -bestselling author of Me Before You , a spellbinding love story of two women separated by a century but united in their determination to fight for what they love most Jojo Moyes's bestseller, Me Before You , catapulted her to wide critical acclaim and has struck a chord with readers everywhere. "Hopelessly and hopefully romantic" ( Chicago Tribune ), Moyes returns with another irresistible heartbreaker that asks, "Whatever happened to the girl you left behind?" France, 1916: Artist Edouard Lefevre leaves his young wife, Sophie, to fight at the front. When their small town falls to the Germans in the midst of World War I, Edouard's portrait of Sophie draws the eye of the new Kommandant. As the officer's dangerous obsession deepens, Sophie will risk everything-her family, her reputation, and her life-to see her husband again. Almost a century later, Sophie's portrait is given to Liv Halston by her young husband shortly before his sudden death. A chance encounter reveals the painting's true worth, and a battle begins for who its legitimate owner is-putting Liv's belief in what is right to the ultimate test. Like Sarah Blake's The Postmistress and Tatiana de Rosnay's Sarah's Key , The Girl You Left Behind is a breathtaking story of love, loss, and sacrifice told with Moyes's signature ability to capture our hearts with every turn of the page. .
-
I Honestly think I read her first book.. Must check and see.
-
Tomereader, If it's like The Postmistress and Sarah's Key I definitely want to read it. It sounds like a winner. I'd not heard of Moyes before and know nothing about her other works.
I'm currently absorbed in Kate Morton's The House at Riverton, and am grateful to whoever recommened it here. My library has a "mystery" sticker on it, and it is a mystery, as we learn in the very beginning that something happened at Riverton. The house is the main character and we only learn about what happened through the flashbacks told by 98 year-old Grace Reeves, who was once "in service" there, but who apparently went on to more prominent endeavors. Morton, a young Australian writer has other works, but I"m not familiar with any of them.
-
pedlin, I may have recommended The house at Riverton. I like Kate Morton and have also read The Secret Garden, and The Forgotten by her.
Sally
-
I have read all but one of Kate Morton's books, and that last one is waiting on my bookshelves for me to get to. I like her. She is not a raving favorite of mine, but it is always a pleasant read. A good read.
-
I found a Finch book that I had not read and am deep into mysteries of the small town and his being selected to open his side of parliament with a speech.
-
Oh yes, I liked that one. I like them ALL. Such pleasant hours I have spent with him, and I think it was you, certainly it was someone in Mysteries, who put me on to him just in the last year or so.
-
I know I recommended him here. I just love the series and marvel the author is young, highly educated and yet the stories have such charm.
-
Puts a little ray of sunshine in the gloom one feels about the state of humankind on this planet, does it not?
-
Ijust found out that he has written at least one book that is not part of the series. Must look for it.
-
I guess no one is reading? Well, I am reading IN THE WOODS by Tana French this week. Have finally picked it up, after having it around for a while. She is very good.
-
I've just started an old book, The Eyes of the World, written by Harold Bell Wright, and I have his first novel, The Printer of Udell's, in my TBR. He was a popular writer in his day. The Shepherd of the Hills was made into four movies, including a John Wayne. Branson, MO also claims a piece of him through this book. http://www.bransonshows.com/activity/HaroldBellWrightMuseum.cfm Those living in Tuscon, AZ, which he called home from 1913 to 1933, may be familiar with his name. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbdCWfsPrFM
-
I just started something that I think will be fun.. The Man Who ate Everything.. non fiction by Jeffrey Steingarten.. was the food critic for Vogue.. Finished off The Kitchen House last night.. A bit more gruesome than I like, but a good book overall
-
I, for one, am reading - - probably too much. Right now in the middle of "The Painted Veil" - Somerset Maugham. It is for my f2f book group. The movie was absolutely beauiful, and the casting of Edward Norton as Walter was perfect (IMO). Seems like they truly stayed "loyal to the page" in going from book to film. Of course, I am still reading "the Girls of Atomic City" and enjoying that too. I had no idea that Oak Ridge was an entire "city". Has anyone been watching the TV Series "Manhattan" on WGNA? (Not the new series on regular TV Manhattan Love Stories or something like that). Anyway,Manhattan is the Alamagordo, NM part of the story where they actually work on building "The Gadget". Also into a couple of Civil War novels, but kind of shuffling those off to the side while I read "The Girls" and "Painted Veil".
-
I do want to read the Girls, but am waiting until I return home. it is much easier to get newer books there. and my post office person is a little erratic to put it mildly. Most magazine arrive very well read by someone or another and at least a week late.. Never did get my bookmarks.. So hate to order books.
-
When are you heading to FL, Steph?
-
sunday... I need to get away from where Duncan died. I find his death so hard.. He was young and funny and so loving to the world. I should have been able to save him.
-
I'm reading a very interesting novel, DAY OF ATONEMENT, by one of my favorite authors, David Liss, who writes good historical fiction.
Per book description, "Sebastião Raposa is only thirteen when his parents are unjustly imprisoned, never to be seen again, and he is forced to flee Portugal lest he too fall victim to the Inquisition. But ten years in exile only serve to whet his appetite for vengeance. Returning at last to Lisbon, in the guise of English businessman Sebastian Foxx, he is no longer a frightened boy but a dangerous man tormented by violent impulses. Haunted by the specter of all he has lost, Foxx is determined to right old wrongs by punishing an unforgivable enemy with unrelenting fury. Compelled to play a game of deception and greed, Sebastian Foxx will find himself befriended, betrayed, tempted by desire, and tormented by personal turmoil. And when a twist of fate turns his carefully laid plans to chaos, he will be forced to choose between surrendering to bloodlust or serving the cause of mercy."
Marj
-
Steph - remember the good times and don't even consider that you might have saved him, that was probably highly impossible. I'm sure you did all that you could.
Has anybody read A God in the Ruins by Leon Uris? (I can't believe it's been more then 50 yrs since i read Exodus) The premise of the story, two very different men, with very different backgrounds, running for president, sounds very interesting. But in the first 60 pgs, it has been a very confusing read. Uris starts with the end of WWII, but jumps back and forth from there to 2008, and doesn't always connect the reader with the next paragraph. I've thought a half dozen times already "I don't know what he's saying." As he begins to bring the backstory closer to the present, i keep hoping it will live up to its potential.
Why do i know the name David Liss? I looked through a list of his books, but i haven't read any of them, although some look interesting. This is going to drive me nuts til i figure it out. Maybe i saw him on booktv. Thanks a lot Marjifay. ;)
Jean
-
Jean's right, Steph, "should've" never helps. It is SO tough, though. Hugs.
-
Leon Uris is another author I like, having read and liked EXODUS, THE HAJ, AND THE TRINITY. Haven't read A God in Ruins, but it gets poor reviews at Amazon, unlike most of his other books.
Don't know where you heard of David Liss, Jean. The last book I read by him was really good, WHISKEY REBELS. The next one of his on my list is THE DEVIL'S COMPANY, about the British East India Company.
Marj
-
I keep bumping into David Liss, literally - he seems to every year show up at the Texas Book Festival held at the Capitol and on the Capitol grounds here in Austin every October. He lives in San Antonio - I've read his books and he always bring in an obscure bit of history that explains so much - The Whiskey Rebels was a good one wasn't it Marj to learn more about our Federal Banking.
Did not know he had out this new book - need to look into it - I bet it will be for sale at the Book Festival and he may be one of the many speakers - I need to find the schedule.
finished The Visitor by Maeve Brennan - more of a novella - I read on the strength of the ballyho about the author who is touted as Ireland's best current author. It was well written and the story reminds me some of The Yellow Room but not restricted to one room or a house - A young twenty year old girl comes home after her father's death in France where she had accompanied him after her mother's death. She essentially turning on a neighbor as well as she was being put out of the house by her grandmother who had issues with the father. All very tangled and reads like a hand coming off the pages gripping your heart and throat.
-
Oh, my! Oh, my! Time does fly! If it has been 50 years since Exodus; oh, my! Seems like YESterday!
Steph, it is part of our makeup to feel guilty when someone dies. Something left over from our very primitive beginnings: the guilt of survivorship. The terrible conviction we could somehow or other have done SOMEthing to cause them to live, to be okay. Been there; done that. Now I know it to be a natural part of the grieving process, which is made up also of "No, it can't possibly be so!" and a sense of loneliness, of having been abandoned. I feel for you, and I know that you know you are doing the right thing in getting out of Dodge and resorting the hours of your days and the shape of your expectations going forward. Hugs, cookies & tea and girltalk.
-
I have read most of Leon Uris, although I was startled to discover he had a new book. I honestly thought he had died. Exodus was a wonderful book as well as a great movie. I read others of his, but that one was outstanding.
I am having problems getting into a book, so picked up Lone Wolf by Jody Picoult yesterday, I can see what is coming, but right now I am appalled at the man who would abandon wife, children and just go and be stupid in the woods.. Sigh..
-
That was my thought precisely upon hearing of the new book: "I thought he was dead!"
-
Picoult heavily weighs her books.. I finished it, but the man ruined others lives in utter selfishness and was at least half mad with the decision to act exactly like a wolf.. Boo.. I get so annoyed with most of her books, wont buy them, but pick them up for nothing at the library book sales.
we can take so many free books for each day we work. Am home in Florida.. Hot.. oh well. still good to be home.
-
I'm glad you had a safe trip. I know it was a tough summer for you.
-
Glad to be home. heat and all. My allergies are calming down nicely. I can even breathe mostly.. I have put everything doggie away, so I cannot see it, but I do keep looking around for my small gentle lady to be trailing me and my big boy to come tearing up with his ball.. Sigh.
-
I am so sorry you are having to go through all of this sadness, Steph. And I find it very interesting about your allergies. One of my sons, one of my sons in law, and myself had the worst August/September allergy period EVER. And so it is that I am curious, North Carolina not being all that far from here, what it was you were allergic to there that is not present in Florida. Do you have a clue?
-
no clue. I do know that when I went higher in North Carolina, the allergy got worse. Whole meadows were in bloom, so pinpointing which weed it was is impossible, but I feel so much better now. I truly could not breathe and was trying to sleep propped up with pillows, which is not fun.
-
Has anybody read "Plainsong" by Kent Haruf? I've just read it for a book group. At the beginning i thought "oh, this is like A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley." That changed as i continued to look for a story. I finally thought "this is a rural 'Seinfield' without the humor."
I looked for some reviews and some people gave it five stars, others gave it one or two. He gives good descriptions of the environments, of light and weather and smells, but nothing about what the character is thinking or feeling about what is happening to the character. There are scenes that i had no idea what they doing to further the story. I can't really describe the story except to say it's set in rural Colorado and talks about a half dozen characters who take life as it comes and then moves on, but it didn't take me anywhere. It was very day-to-day nothingness like Seinfield, only boring.
The time sequence is jarring, skipping back and forth and it took me until about the middle of the book to figure out what the actual timeframe was. (Maybe i was overloaded by stories that hop back and forth tine wise, 3 or 4 books or tv shows i've read/watched lately are written that way, not my favorite genre) Finally, one of the characters mentioned Nancy Reagan, so i got that it was the 80s. There were at least two very descriptive scenes about animals that i never figured out what the reasoning was for including them.
Here's the Amazon page with description and reviews...........
http://www.amazon.com/Plainsong-1-Kent-Haruf-ebook/dp/B000FC1JY4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414340225&sr=1-1&keywords=plainsong+kent+haruf
yes, the pregnant teenage girl is placed with the two elderly farmer brothers, but we are not told why the teacher thinks that's a good idea, that's one example. Yes, the writing is simple and plain, like the geography, but it could use some additional info, in my opinion. The funny thing is that i have more often said about books i've read lately that they needed a good editor........be careful what you wish for. :D
I hope someone has read it and you will give me your perspective.
Jean
-
;) sounds like Plainsong is about more than the plains...but rather it is about the plain
-
I loved it. I have read everything by him.. I love the ebb and flow of life. I grew up in a teeny town in Delaware and it so reminded me of when I was young. Life seemed to have that sort of pattern. So I am on the other side. It is a favorite of mine. I think he has written three books all about that area.
-
Steph, I also like Kent Haruf. I think I've read all of his. Some were better than others, but all were worth reading (imo).
Sally
-
Going through my TBR file...and up popped "The last gift of time" by Carolyn G. Heilbrun.. Read it all at once, it is not that long.Some of it quite remarkable.. some not so. Her life was consumed with Columbia and the academic world, so even in retirement, she seems to cling to ideas that don't appeal to me, and I am not particularly a May Sarton fan.. But still took away a lot of interesting ideas of her retirement years.
-
I am the biggest May Sarton fan in the world I have all her books that I could find. In my minds eye I can see the big old house on a hill above the water in maine the picture never goes out of my mind and the crocrus and daffodils.
Loved Carolyn Hilbert too. I have all her books. I led a discussion boy what difference in peoples thinking. I thought she planned things out and did what she wanted but that was a heated discussion. My last I might add.
-
O.k., so i got lost in Plainsong's scarce, plain narrative and needed more. Steph, i also grew up in a small, rural town and did identify with that part of the book, but i wanted to know WHY the teacher placed the pregnant teenager with the two elderly farmers, WHAT did the graphic description of the birth of the calf and the death of the horse have to do with furthering the story? Maybe i missed some symbolism.
Now i have read two fiction books that i liked........Sarah Allen's The Girl Who Chased the Moon. There's a bit of science fiction which i generally don't like, but was rather charming. I've also just read Joan Wolfe's No Dark Place, a medieval story that was not great writing, but entertaining.
Jean
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Plainsong. I would assume the teacher knew of their isolated lonely lives and she had a female who needed a safe place and decided they would work.. The next farm to my families place.. an older couple who were aging in place and needed help desperately.. One of the Ag teachers at our school had two boys who were thrown into a bad situation because of family problems. He made a deal of some sort and the boys moved to the farm, went to school and worked the farm. I never saw anyone as happy as this blended family.. One of the boys never left and now owns and runs the farm.. He said once, that it was like his own personal miracle. So I could related.. I think the other examples had more to deal with farm life than anything. He has written three books on this town and they are all low key, but I loved them all. Sometimes I don't want much much action, I just want a small quiet story of life.
-
I have been reading Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman. It's been made into a TV series. I'm about halfway thru the book, but doubt I'll finish. The first part of the book is interesting when she finally gets into prison (she has to wait 6 months because the authorities want her to testify against a drug dealer who is still in custody in England, and they don't want her in court wearing a prison uniform). When she is getting acclimated to prison and meeting the female inmates, the book got my attention. But she just goes on and one talking briefly about one woman after the other, some who were interesting, but many were not. I believe the rest of the book will just be more of the same, so I've had my fill of this book.
Marj
-
It gets more interesting later.. They have to send her to testify and she meets up with the original person getting her involved. I liked the book, but it did drag in spots and I really felt as if she was into blaming everyone else except herself.
-
Thanks, Steph. I'll give Orange is the New Black some more time.
I often get impatient with books because I always have a big TBR list of interesting books waiting to be read.
Marj
-
I just finished Katherine by Anya Seton, all 600 pages of it. I would have given up 500 pages before the end, but i was reading it for the library book group. If i was asked to rate it, i would give it 21/2 out of 5 stars. The best part was the wonderful research and historical and cultural tidbits. Katherine was the long-time mistress and finally wife of the Duke of Lancaster, one of the good, long-suffering kind of mistresses, and they were figures at the beginning of the Tudor line.
It was published in 1954 and suggested by one of the women who said she had read it as a teen-ager and loved it; another women had the same experience, and they both still loved it. I probably would have loved it at 15 also when the "romance" scenes would have seemed forbidden reading, but at 73 they were just boring and annoying, especially since they were all described by Katherine's narrative.
About 1/2 way thru if i had been asked to describe the book in one sentence i would have said "it's a stereotypical story of a man who sees women only as sexual objects and otherwise dismisses them and a woman who swings back and forth between longing for him and feeling guilty about the relationship." By the end of the book - so i guess it was a good thing i finished it - i would say that Seton includes every human characteristic of human beings in the story and she may be cautioning us to be aware of the impact our behaviors have as they reverberate to those around us, altho i wish she had done that with about 5 dozen fewer characters.
It was very au courant in several aspects - religious wars, fear of epidemics, etc.
If you like historical fiction with a major dose of romance, you will probably like it. Several of the women in the group liked it. I liked the history and would have liked some tighter writing.
Jean
-
Oh Jean, I am in the company of the women who read it as teens. I loved it then and considered it a wonderful story. Looked up and read all of Anya Seton as well, but now.. I suspect like you, it would be boring and silly, but when I was 17, ahhhh the romance. Funny but then I tried to reread Marjorie Morningstar several years ago and although it was a favorite originally. Now it seems irrelevant. Sigh..
-
I was a young mother living in our first (post World War II subdivision/G.I. Bill of Rights) house when I read that book. Since almost everything was introduced to me via Book of The Month in those days, I think it probably came from that source. I remember the book vividly, because I was truly passionate about English History from 8th grade (Miss Lewis) on, and that book helped me sort out the who was who a great deal, as did Thomas Costain's 4 book series The Last Plantagenets that came out in about that same time period: the forties, fifties and sixties. All of Costain's books, as a matter of fact, were most excellent in fixing the fabric of history in my head. But I think it was Kathryn (the book) that sealed my partisanship with the White Rose permanently, as I could "get" that Parliament meant that the crown should always come down through legitimate heirs and never, ever descend on the head of one of the Duke of Gaunt's born out of wedlock. Not that it makes any difference to me personally, but something in me wanted to choose a side for once and for all, and for that, principally, and for a myriad other reasons I was and remain a Yorkist. That being said, there has been throughout the history of mankind another and very final method of gaining the throne, and that is by conquest on the field of battle. Is it not sick making to think that has consistently been the real game changer throughout the centuries?
-
Marjifay, I know nother about Orange is the New Black other than it is a prison story, also on TV. A prison story you might like, is Wally Lamb's Couldn't Keep it To Myself, which grew out of his writing class at the York Correctional Institution in Conn. It includes writings by the women themselves.
SeniorLearn discussed it back in the early 2000's -- a link to that discussion below.
Couldn't Keep it to Myself (http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/archives/nonfiction/CouldntKeepittoMyselfI.html)
-
Steph - i also was disappointed w/ Morningstar when i read it as an adult.
Jean
-
andyet young.. Marjorie and Katherine resonated with the young wife and mother. We do change so much over time and it is so slowly we don't notice.
-
Thanks, Pedln, for recommending Wally Lamb's nonfiction book Couldn't Keep It To Myself. I'll look for it. I've not read anything by him.
Marj
-
Oh my, you will love it. I remember the discussion. It led to us wanting to help him and his writers group..Powerful book.
-
I've just finished Jeane Slone's She Was an American Spy During WWII. The writing was not good, but the story was very interesting. It is a fictional account of several women who were spies in Vichy France. The story focuses on an American woman whose husband was fighting in the war, so she felt free to become involved in the Intelligence Service.
There is a lot of information about her training, although, like the title of the book, written in a straight-forward, minimalist narrative. At the end of the fiction account she describes the real person the fictional sketches portrayed, and what happened to them after the war, or at the end of their lives.
There is also an extensive bibliography, most of which i assume was non-fiction. I'm glad she added that because this book wet my appetite for reading the real stories of women spies. I knew there were some newly published ones in the last decade.
It was one if the free ebooks on Amazon. I'll check to see if it is still free. If it s not, i'm sure it's very inexpensive. yes, it is still free and she's written two others. One was She Flew Bombers in WWII, and one was She Built Ships in WWII
oops! Correction! The books are free to Kindle Unlimited Or Amazon Prime patrons. For the rest of us they are $4.99
Jean
-
Don't see point of Kindle unlimited or Amazon prime.. I am always careful in Amazon to order enough books to get free shipping. Never watch videos on the small screens, etc. too hard on my eyes. and music.. that is on my little players.. I have three all different music programmed for my moods.
-
Since I have a Roku box, I get to watch Amazon videos and others on my TV. I used to do what you do about the shipping, Steph, but I like taking advantage of the Lending Library, the Kindle First, and seeing a some of the programs and movies I can't get on cable. The two day shipping is nice, but not imperative. What I do like is not having to wait to get the requisite amount for free shipping if I need something soon. To save costs, I've dropped back on my cable tier, reduced still further with a new package deal, and went to Amazon Prime to make up for some of the programming losses. That all saved me about $600 a year. I buy very few books any more, using the freedbie Ebooks and the library instead.
-
I just cannot enjoy any sort of movie or show on anything other than my lovely television with closed captioning and my Sennheiser amplifying earplugs and my beloved easy chair. My computer just does not offer me all the comforts, and those little screens are too puny for pleasure. Nope; tried it, didn't like it, don't do it.
-
I guess I'm an "outlier" as I enjoy looking at videos or movies on my iPad. I find it very comfortable and the details of the picture clearer. The streaming is seamless as we have fiber optic broadband with the city. It's a good thing that we can each enjoy so much diversity.
-
Absolutely!
I do not pan what others enjoy; I say good on them! I am simply trying everything that comes down the pike and picking out the way of doing things that gives me the most comfort and joy.
-
The plus of Prime for me is that I order everything on Amazon now - filters for my AC - cleaning supplies - vitamins - make up, soaps and body lotion - reading glasses - you name it. Amazon is like my handy old fashioned department store - book- hardware - small appliance - kitchen supply store that I can order when I realize I need something - Blender goes, I order one, need socks, order them, even my bra I order from Amazon.
After checking prices for instance I ordered fertilizer - same price as Lowe's AND it was delivered to my front door in two days prime - no gas, not hauling a bag of fertilizer into a cart to the checkout and then hauling into my vehicle to finally get it home.
Last year I did order two times those big orders of groceries that are sold by weight - for that though I need to have current prices from my grocery market and by the time I do that and then compare to the price on Amazon it takes too much time - but if paper products are the same price they fill up a box quickly and to have paper towels etc in the large quantities that will last 4,5 or 6 months is nice plus again the ease of not having to deal with stashing into my vehicle all those bulky packages.
I'm buying fewer full price books - however, even the lower priced used books are sold using prime so instead of a week to 5 weeks to receive my book, it is at my front door in 2 days. And now they really mean 2 days - they are delivering on the weekends.
I watch so few movies and like you Steph I like seeing them on my large screen but I am not going to pay to buy a foreign language film and I sure like my French and Italian films along with some Asian and so I will make the picture as large as my computer screen rather than the strip and maybe not sit back as comfortable but with a cup of coffee or glass of wine if it is late I can enjoy a foreign film now that Blockbusters are gone - never did Netflix and since I rent maybe twice a month this works. Not as many of the foreign films are free but enough that I am happy.
-
Right Barb, it has gotten more difficult for me to lug around heavy bags and boxes of things. It is so much nicer to order online and have things delivered than it is to run around from store to store trying to find something. Some of the websites say if an item is in store, but the price is often more in the store than online. I like webstores like at Home Depot which keeps prices the same and tell you if the item is in stock at the store you shop.
-
I've got to hand it to Amazon. They've made shopping extremely easy. I finally joined Amazon Prime, just before they upped the price. It's so nice to get things quickly and not worry about the shipping costs. What's really been convenient has been the returns - I've had to return three different items the past few months and it's been so easy -- and free. Just print out the label and drop it off at UPS. By comparison, Toys R Us are a pain to deal with, but that's where one gets the little ones' hearts desires, so be it.
Steph, I"m with you -- don't see much use for Kindle Unlimited, but I have taken advantage of the Prime Lending (one book a month) for free. I don't think their film offerings compare with Netflix's, but that may be because I haven't really investigated them enough. The Netflix DVD database is hugh and very easy to use and it doesn't care that I have over 250 films in my queue.
Flajean, when I got my iPad about a year ago I had visions of watching films on it. I've watched captioned films on those little portable DVD players, but have yet to try any films streamed to the iPad. Do you have to have an APP -- like a Netflix App or an Amazon App? Or do you set up an iTunes account (have not yet done that) and rent films that way?
-
Interesting, just saw the Tommy Lee Jones interview on the Tavis Smiley show and he was most concerned that folks would watch his movie on a small screen or Ipad or to him unbelievable would be an Iphone - as a director he plans the screen shots so that the scenery and background help tell the story and are almost like a character in the story therefore the character being so large as compared to a human it takes a big screen to have the essence or sublet colors that tell us the viewer about the setting.
-
Netflix suits me because most of my queu is old tv shows, etc. very few movies. Pedlin.. I thought I was terrible because I have 52 on my list.Wow..
-
Steph, I have over 200 selections on my Netflix queue. A lot of them foreign language films, some of them Music-type documentaries, i.e. "Guitarra" which showed how guitar music evolved thru the ages. Very interesting! Also have some on various art museums. The last ones on the list would be movies that have been recently released, or some from a couple years ago. Very eclectic queue, if I do say so myself, LOL!
-
Pedlin, I have a Netflix app on my iPad. I also have one of those Apple TV set tops (similar to Roku) so can watch Netflix also on the TV (my husband's preference). If you have registered your iPad and set up an iTunes account you can rent or buy from Apple, but Netflix is much cheaper. Last Christmas our daughter gave us an iTunes gift card and I bought several favorite movies. I've watched them on both my TV and my iPad. technology is great. I don't know anything about Amazon Prime but that sounds like another possibility.
-
Well with these good words about Netflix I really need to look into it - sounds like from what you are saying Sally there are really many wonders to choose from that i am missing out on. The history of the Guitar sounds grand.
-
Netflix has some of the most wonderful strange things in it.. I get such a kick out of asking for things and seeing what they offer me.
-
And you only have to choose one (1) DVD at a time, if you think that will be adequate, and there's no limit on how long you can keep it to view. I personally opt for two DVD's at a time, usually watch one, return it, and get another in the mail before I have time to watch the other one. For two, it is $12.00+ tax, which is like paying $6.00 to see a movie, (last few times I've gone to movies it is $8.50 for Senior Admission at the matinee). I don't do the Netflix "streaming", which a lot of you do. My TV system is not adapted to that, but maybe someday. Perhaps in a few days I will post a short list of what all I have gotten from them, that would be considered eclectic or strange!
-
I don't do streaming.. one of my sons does. My other son is a library fanatic. He gets all his movies from his library and has a queu there and seems to really get the newest movies quickly. He loves it and says.. hmm I don't pay anything.. So that is a way to go. He picks up he movies on his way home from work, but he says they would actually send them to him if he wanted. Ah the modern libraries.
-
I just finished Mary Alice Monroe's "Skyward". I love the way she teaches us about something while giving us an interesting story of human relationships. This was about raptors! The protagonist runs a rehab center for injured or orphaned raptors. Also his 5 yr old dgt has diabetes, so she teaches us about that kind of diabetes also. I think i have liked all of her books. Beach House was the first one i read and is my favorite.
Jean
-
My Kindle went with me when I went to my sons.. I am reading another of the Dorothy Sayers continuations by Jill Paton Walsh.. Excellent.
-
Any new titles on your Christmas Want List this year?
I don't ask for specific titles....just for gift cards for online places like Amazon.
Jane
-
I am with you. I love gift cards.. that way I can get what I want.
-
Me, too! I always ask for and get Barnes & Noble. We have a huge store, complete with Starbucks Cafe, very close to hand; so I can order on line or browse in the store, whichever suits me. I get their annual membership, which gives me an additional ten per cent off, and the number of purchases I have in any given year MORE than make up for the expenditure for that!
-
So do I. We have a medium to large B&N and I do so love to browse.. You find authors you have never heard of.. Such fun.
-
We also have a large B&N with a nice Starbucks section. I've bought my boxed Christmas cards there the last couple of years---lovely selection and reasonably priced.
-
I am not a Starbucks fan, but will have iced tea and a sweet.. but the browsing is the thing. This year, ours has some wonderful toys and games, better than the big stores. I got a small set, that makes three bridges out of aluminum.. strictly a grownup toy for my engineer, who loves bridges.
-
I could live happy in my heart in a bookstore or hardware store, I swear. You just never run out of things to discover.
-
Some folks have weird, off-the-wall fantasies! My favorite fantasy is being locked in a library for a week or more...even a weekend would work. As long as I had lighting, I would read and read and read!
-
I used to dream of being locked in for the weekend at the New England Genealogical and Historical Society. Oh , the stacks, the smells.. my favorite spot in the whole world.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I LOVE MY PRIME SOO MUCH. eSPECIALLY LIKE ALL THE FREE PRIME BOOK
gOOFY WRITING MY EXCUSE IS I LEAVE FOR Alaska IN A FEW MINUTES YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA
-
Have fun in Alaska! Happy Holidays to ya!
-
Now Steph, THAT is just plain weird.
I like me creature comforts, I do. If I must be locked in for a weekend or whatever, I'll take my local Barnes & Noble. As I mentioned, they have a cafe right in there. And the bathrooms are lovely. Lots of carpeting and some really comfortable upholstered reading chairs down by the extensive magazine section that takes up much of one large wall. Huge amounts of outside light, as well and all. Yep, that'll do it for me. You're gonna get awfully hungry amongst your stacks of births, marriages and deaths.
-
Oh but in the safe room, there are handwritten diaries.. long ago stories of birth and death and loneliness of the new settlers.. Gossip from the lady down the street who keeps track of everyone.. It was always one of my favorite places to be..All true stories and so interesting.
-
Well, yeah; the stories I could go for.
But not at the cost of starving. Do they have a loo where you're gonna be locked in?
-
I'm with Steph and/or Tome and, if there isn't an area with vending machines, I'd bet we could sneak in some sandwiches or cheese/crackers and a bottle of water (or figure out how to get into the employee Break Room. ;) )
-
I used to sneak food and water in all the time in the 80's during the day.. The stacks are very tall and complicated. The lights work as you descend or walk through.. but oh the vault.. that is where you can take nothing but yourself, rubber gloves and paper and pencil.. That place is aladdins cave for me. I never got through my list of things to look at.
There is also a womans college in Massachusetts that got a bequest of diaries and letters from women who went west.. I am told they are quite fascinating, so there is another possibility for me. I always marvel at the bravery of the women.The men are the ones who wanted to go west..The women went,, pregnant, sometimes widowed on the trip.. knowing they would never see their loved ones again... How hard.
-
Oh, I totally agree and empathize, Steph. In fact, my innards twist up into painful configurations just imagining the deprivations they went through.
-
There is a book out, and the movie has also just recently come out. "The Homesman" by Glendon Swarthout. It details the hardships of the women when they went with their spouses to the "West". It is a gritty, ultra-sad tale of what happens in many cases to the women, most who married young, and undertook this "great adventure". Then they began having children. They had no idea of what hardships would befall them..backbreaking labor, terrible winters, lack of food, Indians, claim jumpers. I think the movie is probably going to be Oscar fodder for the female lead, Hilary Swank, and possibly for Tommy Lee Jones. It is not a happy book by any means, but well written and details a "procedure" that I had never heard about (I use procedure because I can't think of the appropriate word right now!) It's more like a social or legal thing.
-
Hmm Glendon Sworthhout?? Will check on it.. I am not a fan of Hilary Swank, but might try the movie. I went to the Night at the Museum, part 3 and did laugh and laugh. Nothing to think about, but funny and sweet and the last movie that Robin made.
-
I've just started Hugh Howey's new book, The Shell Collector. Oh, my, what a powerful prologue. The man sure sucks me right into his books. To say anything at all about the content of the prolog might lessen the impact of it. So, my fingers are mum.
-
Howie?? again not an author I know.. You guys are always making me look up new authors. My TBR is way out of hand.
-
Tomereader, I haven't heard the name Glendon Swarthout for sometime, but do remember his book and film Bless the Beasts and Children. He died in 1992. It's interesting that someone has picked up on a lesser-known (?) title in 2014. The only other of his works that I"ve heard of is The Shootist. You are not alone in your thinking about The Homesman. Others have referred to it as very very bleak.
-
Oh my, I do remember the Beasts and Children movie, not the book and don't think I ever knew the author.
-
Finished The Shell Collector already. I was planning to do some knitting yesterday, but I just couldn't put the book down. I am not about to even try to critique or summarize the book before others have read it. Suffice to say that it was very good but with a few caveats.
-
This has been a complicated week thus far. Just started a Sara Paretsky,, excellent as always , but physics?? oh me,, not my best subject in life.
-
I'm reading "Private Life" by Jane Smiley. I'm about 100 pages into it. The first part of the book is set in Missouri at the beginning of the 20th century. The protagonist is a young woman who tends to be independent of social mores, but finally marries at age 27 and goes with her husband to Calif.
The husband is at least ten yrs older than she is and is an astronomer, but appears to be a guy who is interested in everything, and recalls everything he has read or done. He always talks about things, not about people or his, or other's, feelings. Margaret appears to be feeling reined in and bored by marriage.
It has possibilities, i hope it meets my expectations.
Jean
-
I like Jane Smiley and will pick that one up in a bit. She always has the ability to surprise me.
The Paretsky is too too intricate at this point..
-
If anyone here likes ghost stories, I just finished a good one: DARK MATTER, A GHOST STORY by Michelle Paver. It's about several young men from London who decide to travel to an uninhabited island in the remote arctic region of Norway to camp there for a year to study the area from their particuar scintific interests. They arrive just before the sun will disappear for several months leaving the area in total darkness. After they've been there only a short while, several of the group are forced to leave temporarily for one reason or another, and Jack the radio operator is left by himself with the huskie dogs they'd brought with them. He soon finds, however, that he is not alone on the little island. Something walks there in the darkness. Well written and left me chilled just as Jack describes his feelings. This is the first of the author's Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. I will read more of them.
Marj
-
I've never been in a Barnes & Noble Bookstore, but they sound very nice as you describe them, MaryPage. Maybe that's why they are still open when so many others have been forced to close. Another bookstore that has remained open (I get their interesting newsletter) is the Politics and Prose Bookstore in Washington, D.C. They sound like one I'd like to visit.
Marj
-
There are nice both new and used bookstores all over the U.S., just not as many as there used to be. I love bookstores,, I love thrift shop book shelves. I just flat out cannot resist looking everywhere there is books.
-
Me, too. My Achilles heel, as it were. Or my addiction, craving, besetting sin, whatever. My house is very neat and tidy and clean, but the books are taking over. My many, many bookshelves are way overcrowded, and stacks of books clutter tables. I am Bad News when it comes to books. The Ideal would be for you to come here and hold a big sale, Steph. On the other hand, I can't let them go, so forget That!
-
Oh oh oh we could all be in the book cluttered house together and never see each other behind our piles of books and like you, MaryPage - getting rid of them is painful - no more get one sold to half price and I remember vaguely something that I can no longer look up because the book is gone. I had a huge pile to sell back to Amazon and as time goes by, since last September when I did the clean out - I have pulled back out one after the other - I do have a bunch of old movies though that I really want to get rid of and I do not seem to need to hang on to what I call my fluff reading - the almost inane light novel that I need to read to break up all the more serious reading - mostly I do save them to give to my daughter-in-law who likes to end her day sitting in her comfy chair in her bedroom with a light frothy novel rather than watching TV.
-
I could surely use some suggestions for "light frothy novels" during this spell of bitterly cold weather - and also because, next week, I'll have to stay out of the way while several rooms are being painted.
Any recommendations appreciated. :)
-
Some that I have read this year - this one says Christmas but the author has another - cute - she writes a delightful story The French for Christmas by Fiona Valpy
Ah this one was a historical thing taking place in Holland that I am not sure was accurate but it was not heavy reading for sure - a bit dark The Miniaturist: A Novel by Jessie Burton
Of course the latest Agatha Raisin by Beaton - supposed to be a cozy mystery but she is such a hoot I laugh and laugh the entire read
Not so much fluff but a good read - The Club Dumas by Arturo Perez-Reverte
Short - very short - reminded me of the Yellow Wallpaper however, she is touted as the best writer in Ireland today - The Visitor by Maeve Brennan
Fun - Round Ireland with a Fridge by Tony Hawks
The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion: A Novel by Fannie Flagg - in fact ANYTHING by Fannie Flagg - always a delightful bit of fluff - you can hear the south dripping from her lips while reading.
Another easy and comforting is anything by Miss Read who only died recently. She had a series about Fairacre - British village stuff.
Calling Invisible Women: A Novel by Jeanne Ray was a hoot based on a so true premise
Another that hits the spot for any of us clearing out our home when we realize we are entering a new phase of life - with enough off the wall reactions, and an underlying young women's desire to tackle life, sorting through men as she does clutter that made me pull an all nighter - Objects of My Affection: A Novel by Jill Smolinski
If you are a foody as I am, this was fun - Lunch in Paris: A Love Story, with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard
This one was FABULOUS - not fluff but very short and and and - talk about a lesson in realizing your value regardless your age and loss of physical strength - it is I think a myth but just wonderful reading - Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival by Velma Wallis
All the Patrick Taylor series about the Irish Doctor - the last I ordered for my daughter-in-law was - A Dublin Student Doctor: An Irish Country Novel (Irish Country Books)
This is a riot - The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
I just ordered - The 92-Year-Old Lady Who Made Me Steal a Dead Man's Car - A thrilling and seriously funny novel - sounds like fun.
OH yes, have to add - Second Thyme Around by Katie Fforde - she has a large number of books all light and frothy.
-
Thank you, Barb.
"The Miniaturist" is on my TBR list for my Tablet.
I've read and reread all of the Miss Read books, as well as this one and others by Fannie Flagg. Would love to meet her at a book-signing for "The All Girl Filling Station..." because I'm positive that "Bea" is more or less based on a girl who was 3 years ahead of me in high school and grew up on a ranch near Wapanucka, Oklahoma. You would probably recognize her real name; she's the ex-wife of a prominent Texan nee an Oklahoman.
-
Let me know what you think of The Miniaturist - part of the premise sounds too much like our current divide in what some consider a choice of morality. After reading I must say the concept of magic became real for a bit. Don't you just love Fannie Flag - always a message that hits home but her books are so easy to read and identify with. Gotta pull out the book again and look at Bea - the one I liked was a year or so ago about a gal after divorce getting into Real Estate - lots of great quotes for me in that one.
-
I love Fannie and have read everything of hers and every once in a while with her, I think she knew some of her characters..
Another very light but fun.. Donna Andrews. all of her mysteries use animal names in the title.. And I am currently reading Deborah Koonts, who writes about Las Vegas and they are very funny, abit too oh how handsome.. but still fun
-
Barbara, your 100 year old man and your 92 year old lady would make a wonderful gift for someone who is having a "Big 0" birthday. In fact, one of my friends turns 90 in April and I think that would me a good gift.
Has anyone here read Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore? I got it for Christmas and am trying to squeeze it in with two other book club books. It's kind of strange. Can't figure out if it's science fiction or not. A rather gentle book so far with nice people.
-
I had Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore on my Amazon list for several weeks and then other books became more important so I finally took it off - please, let us know what you think - if it stays slow and gentle or what...
-
Such a nice title.. Must look at the reviews. I like certain types of science fiction. not the steam punk however
-
I've just started Louis Shiner's Dark Tangos which, I suppose, you could call a drama or suspense, and romance. The comments in the reviews section let me know that it is going to be pretty graphic in some sequences. I'll read along as far as I can. It is set in present day Buenos Aires and delves into past events of the "Dirty War" of the 70's and those that disappeared. Shiner's writing is superb.
-
Steph - i'm finding Jane Smiley's Private Live very slow going. Of course that is not unlike JSs other books, but this, ti me, is slowly going no where as a story. I keep reading with hopefulness.... ;D ;D ......but i'm in the last 1/3 of the book, hope is declining........
Jean
-
What a shame. I know that Smiley is a slow slow writer about her subjects though.
I looked up The Mr Penumbra's book. It is supposed to be a mystery. I have it on my wish list at the swap club.
-
I sent Mr Penumbra back to the e-book library. Just couldn't get into it.
Now reading "Private Lives" and, like Jean, finding it slow going. However, I want to keep at it until I find out how "Margaret" gets from "old maid" status to the life she's apparently living in the introduction - 44 years from the point at which I'm reading.
If that sentence doesn't make sense...blame it on the book! ??? :D
-
The second book of the Smiley series is out in print. By the way, I did laugh. Just now on Netflix, I am watching Smileys People, an old but goodie thing from BBC.. Alec Guiness is a long time favorite of mine and he always made George Smiley into a wonderful closed human being
-
I have been trying to find out what's happened to "RosemaryKaye" who used to post somewhere eitehr on Senior Learn, or Seniors & Friends. (they told me "Not"). Maybe it was Fiction, Old, New or perhaps "The Library".
Anyway, if Rosemary Kaye is lurking somewhere in the background, I would like very much to hear from her, and know she is all right.
-
Winchesterlady posted a link to a column by RosemaryKaye in the Library. It's a wonderful article on books, etc.
-
yes, a good article. She has been busy changing her career path.. I suspect some day we will find a book by her on the shelves.
-
Finished Murder in Chinatown by Victoria Thompson, her usual entertaining story of a midwife in Victorian NYC, falling into a murder to be solved.
I'm about to finish The Captive Queen:a novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine by Alison Weir. Weir is a good historian, but she has a little too much "romance" overlaid on this story. Every time Eleanor and Henry II are going to be in each other's presence, Eleanor muses about whether he still loves her and how she'd love to be in his arms and bed. When in each other's presence it's mostly sexual for their first twenty years. But i like their story. They are always Katherine Hepburn and, (his name escapes me) from the Lion in Winter movie. There is enough history in Weir's novels to keep me reading.
I have a Susan Issacs, Kate Jacobs (knitting series) and Catherine Coulter (FBI series) waiting for me. All light and entertaining.
Jean
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Harper Lee's Second Novel (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/books/harper-lee-author-of-to-kill-a-mockingbird-is-to-publish-a-new-novel.html)
-
Wow!
-
OH! OH! OH!
I am just So excited!
www.theguardian.com/books/2015/feb/03/harper-lee-new-novel-to-kill-a-mockingbird
Jean, I think it was Peter O'Toole who played Henry. And it was a love match, as she had to divorce the King of France to marry him!
-
Yes! Peter O'Toole. Yes, she did divorce Louis to marry Henry, but Henry was the king, and sexually "it's good to be the king", to quote Mel Brooks. ;D Plus he was always most interested in extending his empire and used everybody, including all his children, in order to do that. Both of those things put much stress and distance between them, to the point where he had her imprisoned for at least twenty years.
They are one of the most fascinating couples in history.
Jean
-
Eleanor is one of my personal royal favorites and her once loving and then unfaithful husband. Yes, I too think of her with Lion in Winter in my mind.
-
Mine, too, Steph! I fell madly in love with her long, long before Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn. It was when I was introduced to her in reading the first of Thomas Costain's 4-volume history of the Plantagenets in the early nineteen fifties. Since then, I have bought anything that included her or was specifically about her. Somewhere on my history bookshelves is one great book that was JUST about her, unless I have already passed it on to Paige, which I don't think I have.
-
Allison Weir wrote a non-fiction of Eleanor, also, in 1999. It was very good. The fiction, Captive Queen is more recent, in 2010.
Jean
-
1999,,hmm, I think there was an earlier biography of her..I remember reading one many many years ago. She was a bright woman and Henry was not overfond of intelligence in any one except him.
-
There is another biography titled Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Four Kings. That was the first one i read and got interested in her. Give me a minute and i'll tell you the author and date.
Amy Kelly is the author, published 1950
Jean
-
Yes., that is the one. I loved it.
-
I tried to read We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves this week, but it is a DNF for me. I know it was on seceral 2013/14 lsts of books to read, but i struggled with the first 100 pages and didn't like any of the characters, and when the "sister" Fern turned out to be a chimp i gave up. I have liked some others of Karen Fowler, but this one was not for me.
Jean
-
A chimp?? Whew.. Must look that one up.
-
I don't know why anyone would be surprised to find out in the book WE ARE ALL COMPLETELY BESIDE OURSELVES that the "sister" Fern was a chimp. When I read the Amazon review that said " Fowler’s breathtakingly droll 22-year-old narrator, felt that she and Fern were not only sisters but also twins." I decided this book, "supposedly "droll" was not for me. Thankfully, I didn't have to waste time reading 100 pages to find that out
Marj
-
what fun to read here how we all make decisions about what to read and if reading, what to put aside - it makes me smile - we are like little kids with just enough money to buy one piece of candy and as we look at the case full we talk to our friend about the worth of each piece before we buy - remember? - I do because stopping at the ice cream store that also sold candy was a must before the Saturday afternoon matinée at our local movie theater. A book, like the candy we wanted it to taste good and last the longest - Have any of you read anything recently that did read 'good' and lasted the longest ;) but still, I am serious - what have you read that was worth the time and stayed with you?
-
I've read 2 books by Sarah Jio, Morning Glory and The Violets of March, that held my interests and made me want to read more by this author. Has anyone here read Jio? I also read Orphan Train by Christina Kline for my ftf book club. I enjoyed this book.
Sally
-
Hmm, read things I liked, but something that stays with me. That requires some thought.
-
I am just now reading the latest Margaret Maron, Designated Daughters, which I received as a Christmas gift. (It was on my Wish list; my myriad kinfolk wouldn't have a clue what to buy me without the benefit of that list!)
And your question made me stop and think about books which have haunted me down through the years. Gone To Earth, by Mary Webb; especially the "Telling The Bees" part and the ending. I read that back in the forties! China Court by Rumor Godden, and all the Graces. Caravans, by James Michener, and the sadness of the lost civilizations. A sense of a place that is not a place, but where people pass through. I read that for the first time more than half a century ago, and it is the same now. The place, Afghanistan, I mean.
Well, I will probably remember Designated Daughters, just as Margaret Maron's books about pottery making in North Carolina, furniture making in North Carolina, fishing and oystering in North Carolina, and so forth and so on have stuck with me. Designated Daughters, it turns out withOUT giving the plot away, is a support group and includes both sexes and all ages: grandparents, spouses, children, every relationship. It is all about CAREGIVERS. And you know, by golly, we do not spend many years, in a normal family, NOT being caregivers. I started along about age ten, and was fully into it by age fifteen. We care for our old, then our children, then our old again, only this time our parents generation, and then our spouses, and then our children take care of US! Fascinating stuff. And I like Maron, too, because she slips in glaring examples of folks we would take for way over the top should we encounter them, but the reasons for their fashion behavior or whatever would sober us up REAL fast if we but knew of them! Hold your tongue! That woman wearing a purple wig today and a red one tomorrow may be going through chemotherapy and have no hair of her own and be in need of the outlandishness to cover her despair! S'truth!
-
MaryPage, you brought up an old memory.. Either Jan or Rumor Godden wrote a book about a cloistered num, joining the convent at an advanced age. Had been married and had a child who died tragically. The woman who caused the death accidently joined the convent some years later. and Oh how I wish I could remember the title.. I do remember how much this made me look at the theory of forgiveness and how you can or cannot manage it, so there is an example of a book that made me look hard at how I viewed life.l
-
Was that Rumer's IN THIS HOUSE OF BREDE? And didn't they do a movie of it?
Maybe it was BLACK NARCISSUS, which was also a film, starring, I think, Deborah Kerr. I think more likely it was Brede.
My faint impression, after all these many years, is that I felt a bit put off by Black Narcissus, and adored In This House of Brede. Do you realize that Godden is one writer whose books are still published after all this time? Sort of wondering this morning why, on the one hand, that is so and yet, on the other, we do not hear anything about her or her books.
-
I'll have to look into her books - forgiveness is s tough one - I still feel like I am living my life skating on ice that I never know out of the blue if I will be skating over a thin patch and fall through.
I think the fear of figuratively falling through the thin ice and feeling as I did is equal to any forgiveness I have developed - I just cannot handle being in that state again - cannot wrap my head around the behavior and so so so very tired of trying therefore, my answer was to leave it and let God figure it out because I cannot -
I am not going to take up that struggle again - and to blanket forgive feels too much like accept and so probably the cause of my concern that I may skate unknowingly over some thin ice - ah so but I gave years and years and years dwelling on and trying to either understand or to forgive without understanding so that I finally just rolled it all up like a sewing project that I could not make work and stuck it in a sack - problem I still feel I am 'supposed' to do a better job of forgiveness so the sack still sits in the bottom of the pile for Goodwill.
Reading how others handle their pain is something that I may find helpful and this author sounds like a book I ought to consider.
-
Barbara, if you have never read any of Rumer Godden's books, please know that she was a woman well ahead of her time, and she wrote like a beautiful dream. My all time favorite is CHINA COURT. Now, that sounds like it would be set in China, does it not? Well, NOT! China Court is the name of an English estate. I will say no more, but Barbara, I think you would love that book as I have done.
Godden wrote many, many books; and quite a few were made into films. She wrote a lot of really great children's books, as well and all.
She died in 1998.
http://www.rumergodden.com/index.php
-
The only Godden I have read is Two Under the Indian Sun, written jointly by Jan and Rumer. It was an account of their childhood in India. In their forward, they refer to it as an "evocation of a time that is gone" rather than an autobiography. Worth reading.
-
Just got this from the Guardian - Kazuo Ishiguro’s turn to fantasy
Dragons, ogres, pixies? It’s not what is expected of Kazuo Ishiguro, but they feature in The Buried Giant, his first novel for 10 years. Behind the turn to fantasy, however, lies his familar fascination with the past and individual moral choices. He talks to Alex Clark about film, memory – and his taste for tea and cake
Looking forward to this new book of his that is supposed to come out mid-March. He is the one who wrote Remains of the Day.
-
In This House of Brede was the title and to this day, I remember the struggle and the pain.. It taught me when my time of struggle and pain came, that you can work through it, but it is so very very hard. Rumer Godden never wrote a bad book as far I can remember. I loved them all.
-
I'm reading THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN by Paula Hawkins. The first several chapters had me confused, but after them I can't put this book down. The NY Times review says "“The Girl on the Train has more fun with unreliable narration than any chiller since Gone Girl. . . . [It] is liable to draw a large, bedazzled readership.”
So..... sounds as if those who hated Gone Girl will not like this, but I think it's great.
Of course, I liked Gone Girl and want to see the movie.
Marj
-
Ala Women's History month.......who is your favorite historical woman character in a novel? Or characters? :) i'm sure we all have more then one.
I'll start with an Irving Stone novel, Immortal Wife, about Jessie Fremont, the wife of John C. Fremont. There's a wonderful section talking about her traveling to Calif via the isthmus of Panama, but, of course, long before the canal was built. Of course, it wasn't a "wonderful" trip. I am constantly amazed at the amount of travel people did before there were highways and planes.
She was the daughter of widowed, important, Missouri Senator - whose name will come to me - and was a companion and administrative assistant to him and his work on important issues, pre-Civil War.
There is also interesting history of the development of the state of Calif. Fremont was the first governor. Stone, of course, romanticizes his stories somewhat, but there's a lot of good history also.
Stone also has good stories of Andrew and Rachel Jackson - The President's Lady, Those who Love - John and Abigail Adams, Love is Eternal - Mary and Abe Lincoln, and others, not all presidential couples.
Jean
-
Books that were worth my time and have stayed with me:
WE DIE ALONE; A WW2 EPIC OF ESCAPE AND ENDURANCE by David Howarth --it's a riveting true story I'll never forget. How some brave Norwegians, at their own peril during the Nazi occupation of Norway, helped a man escape from pursuing Nazis through freezing arctic weather to neutral Sweden.
FROM THE LAND OF GREEN GHOSTS; A BURMESE ODYSSEY by Pascal Khoo Thwe I loved this autobiography of a remarkable young man who lived in the mountains of Burma among the Padaung people (their women, called "giraffe women" had necks elongated by rings), his wonderful childhood, later a jungle fighter under the regime of the dictator, General U Ne Win, and his accidental meeting with a Cambridge don who enabled him to attend Cambridge University.
THE BOOKSELLER OF KABUL by Asne Seierstad was one of my favorite reads of 2005. From my notes: "Written as a novel, but
seemed like non-fiction. Author lived with the bookseller's family for three months, at her suggestion and his invitation, so she could write a book about the family. (She is being sued by the bookseller for what she wrote about him) This is an excellent book, but so sad for women living there. Women have their own underground poetry, and one women wrote she prayed she would be reincarnated in the next life as a stone instead of a woman."
THE BITTER ROAD TO FREEDOM; THE HUMAN COST OF ALLIED VICTORY IN WORLD WAR II by William I. Hitchcock. It tells of the D-Day invasion of Europe, but mostly it is about the aftermath and what happened to the civilians in that path of destruction. Everything I'd previously read about the invasion had been the heroism of the allied soldiers. But this book gives you a very sobering and often surprising look at what happened to the civilians. How whole towns were wiped out. The focus was on military objectives with the military having little regard for the people and their towns. Sad reality of war.
CONFESSIONS OF A PAGAN NUN by Kate Horsley (historical fiction) (191 pp , 2002) A moving and subtle tale, set in Ireland in 500 C.E. Gwynneve, who comes to live as a nun in a monastery of Saint Brigit, was raised in a pagan Druid village of fishermen and pigkeepers at the height of Ireland's transition from Paganism to Christianity. All around her the new doctrines of Saint Patrick and the "tonsured men" are inexorably driving out the old Druid ways." I loved the nun's intriguing and intelligent questions about the "new" religion, for which she apologizes for her "ignorance."(a but of sarcasm here) This book really takes you back to Ireland when the Druids lived there. Fascinating.
CONFESSIONS OF A PAGAN NUN by Kate Horsley (historical fiction) (191 pp , 2002) A moving and subtle tale, set in Ireland in 500 C.E. Gwynneve, who comes to live as a nun in a monastery of Saint Brigit, was raised in a pagan Druid village of fishermen and pigkeepers at the height of Ireland's transition from Paganism to Christianity. All around her the new doctrines of Saint Patrick and the "tonsured men" are inexorably driving out the old Druid ways." I loved the nun's intriguing and intelligent questions about the "new" religion, for which she apologizes for her "ignorance."(a but of sarcasm here) This book really takes you back to Ireland when the Druids lived there. Fascinating.
DOOMSDAY BOOK by Connie Willis. Great book. About an
English student in the year 2050 who is sent back in time to the Middle
Ages. By accident she is sent to the year of the Black Death. Realistic
and moving, it brings the Midieval characters very much to life. The
Midieval section alternates with the characters back at the university who
sent the student back in time and who are worried about her. The part at
the university has very good subtle humor which offsets the horror and
sadness of the Middle Ages section. A very good read.
Marj
Marj
-
Marg - do you have a favorite woman character?
Jessie Fremont's father was Thomas Hart Benton.
Jean
-
Jessie Benton Fremont was quite a woman back when they were mostly wives.. I have read areal biography, but did love the irving Stone version.
-
No, Jean, I'm afraid I don't have a favorite woman character. I don't read many books about women. I would like to read more about Abigale Adams, though.
I do have a favorite in Elizabeth George's mystery series: sgt. Barbara Havers, a feisty, somewhat pudgy and a bit homely young woman who sometimes gets in trouble because of her mouth. She was demoted from sergeant to constable beccause of it. I like her love for the little Pakistani girl who lives with her father next door to Havers. In the latest mystery, the father's wife has disappeared and taken the little girl with her. The father is devastated, and Havers is determined to find them. Havers is a great detective.
Marj
-
Some notable woman characters: Thursday Next, Kylara Vatta (Vatta's War series), Ofelia Falfurrias (Remnant Population), Elizabeth Bennet.
Although Jane Austen isn't my favorite author, Elizabeth Bennet remains my favorite Austen character.
Favorite women authors include Elizabeth Moon and Ursula Le Guin, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Geraldine Brooks.
-
I just checked out The Rosie Effect. I loved Graeme Simsion's The Rosie Project & so far I am really enjoying this one, also.
Sally
-
I find that I read an enormous amount of female authors.. Hmm, unconscious prejudice?? don't honestly know. I did and do love several sci fi female authors. Marion Zimmer Bradley( dead and being trashed by her daughter, boo) Anne McCaffrey, Ursula LeGuin, Patricia Briggs, Cassandra Clare, J.K. Rowling ( Harry only).
-
I was checking my reading log of the last 3 years and discovered that probably 85 per cent of my authors are female authors. I'm not much for sci-fi, but I loved Anne McCaffrey's Dragon rider series, and I also liked Ursula LeGuin. I like Mary Alice Monroe, Sarah Addison Allen, most of Sandra Dallas, Anne Carrol George, just to name a few.
Sally
-
Anne George was wonderful and died way too early. Her sisters were so very funny.
-
And some others bare watching, perhaps writing for our daughters. A couple that I have liked, haven't read that many of them are --
Aussie writer Lianne Moriarty -- The Husband's Secret, Big Little Lies
Adriana Trigiani -- The Shoemaker's Wife
Trying to think of male writers who write books that women like -- Camron Wright, THe Rent Collector, and Chad Harbach, The Art of Fielding. I don't know if they've written others or not.
-
How about R.F. Delderfield and his A Horseman Riding By and God Is An Englishman? I adored those. And John Galsworthy's wonderful Forsyte Saga? Heaven!
All of Thomas Costain's books.
-
I am really enjoying The Shopkeeper's Wife, just in the first 100 pages.
Jean
-
Yes, MaryPage. Delerfield. I really liked his To Serve Them All My Days, both book and TV miniseries.
Another contemporary woman that we don't hear so much about is Joann Harris -- Chocolat, Gentlemen and Players, Five Quarters of the Orange. Is she stil writing?
-
The male authors are all older ones.. That tells me something,, but I do like many male mystery writers, John Sandford,Michael Connelly, Daniel Silva, etc.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Pedln - The Shopkeepers Wife that i'm reading is by Noelle Sickels, is that a different book?
Jean
-
Yes, Jean, it is. The book I read and liked is The SHOEMAKER'S Wife by Adriana Triganini. It gets hard to keep these titles separate. And, there are some titles (I forget which) that are used by several different authors.
Since you're liking the SHOPMAKER'S Wife so much, I'm going to have to look into it.
One little letter!
-
Oh! Yes! My brain slipped right over the title to the one i'm reading :D
I'll take a look at The Shoemaker's Wife LOL.
The Shopkeeper's Wife had very good reviews on Amazon, which is why i picked it up at the library. I've just gotten started, but the writing is very good.
Jean
-
I liked Trigiani.. A bit sweet, but nice in many ways.
-
I am in the middle of Jeffery Archer"s series of he Clifton Chronicales I can hardly put it down. I find his writing so interesting. The first of his books which I read was "Kane and Able". I ordered all off his books from Amazon. so I have lots of good reading ahead of me.
Sheila
-
I'm currently reading "A Fall of Marigolds" by Susan Meissner. It's a story about a woman whose husband died in 9/11 and a woman who lost her true love in an NYC factory fire in 1911. There is a connection that makes the intriguing title clear.
-
Sounds as if it might be interesting. I am in love with A.J. Fikry and reading on as I go.
-
Science Shows Something Surprising About People Who Still Read Fiction
Gabe Bergado November 21, 2014
Like Mic on Facebook:
They tend to be more empathetic toward others.
It's not news that reading has countless benefits: Poetry stimulates parts of the brain linked to memory and sparks self-reflection; kids who read the Harry Potter books tend to be better people. But what about people who only read newspapers? Or people who scan Twitter all day? Are those readers' brains different from literary junkies who peruse the pages of 19th century fictional classics?
Short answer: Yes — reading enhances connectivity in the brain. But readers of fiction? They're a special breed.
The study: A 2013 Emory University study looked at the brains of fiction readers. Researchers compared the brains of people after they read to the brains of people who didn't read. The brains of the readers — they read Robert Harris' Pompeii over a nine-day period at night — showed more activity in certain areas than those who didn't read.
Specifically, researchers found heightened connectivity in the left temporal cortex, part of the brain typically associated with understanding language. The researchers also found increased connectivity in the central sulcus of the brain, the primary sensory region, which helps the brain visualize movement. When you visualize yourself scoring a touchdown while playing football, you can actually somewhat feel yourself in the action. A similar process happens when you envision yourself as a character in a book: You can take on the emotions they are feeling.
It may sound hooey hooey, but it's true: Fiction readers make great friends as they tend to be more aware of others' emotions.
This is further apparent in a 2013 study that investigated emotional transportation, which is how sensitive people are to others' feelings. Researchers calculated emotional transportation by having participants express how a story they read affected them emotionally on a five-point scale — for example, how the main character's success made them feel, and how sorry they felt for the characters.
In the study, empathy was only apparent in the groups of people who read fiction and who were emotionally transported. Meanwhile, those who were not transported demonstrated a decrease in empathy.
Need more proof? Psychologists David Comer Kidd and Emanuele Castano at the New School for Social Research focused on the effect of literary fiction, rather than popular fiction, on readers.
For the experiment, participants either read a piece of literary fiction or popular fiction, followed by identifying facial emotions solely through the eyes. Those who read literary fiction scored consistently higher, by about 10%.
"We believe that one critical difference between lit and pop fiction is the extent to which the characters are complex, ambiguous, difficult to get to know, etc. (in other words, human) versus stereotyped, simple," Castano wrote to Mic.
Literary fiction enhanced participants' empathy because they had to work harder at fleshing out the characters. The process of trying to understand what those characters are feelings and the motives behind them is the same in our relationships with other people.
As the Guardian reports, Kidd argues that applying the skills we use when reading critically to the real world makes sense because "the same psychological processes are used to navigate fiction and real relationships. Fiction is not just a simulator of a social experience, it is a social experience."
The world around is as real as it gets. Might as well indulge in some fiction. Science says it'll make you better at interacting with people.
-
hmm, I find the line between what is called literary fiction and popular fiction to some extent is wobbly.. Some of the current stuff is junk, whether it is literary or popular and I really really hate a few authors who are supposed to be wonderful.. Rabbit.. a whole series on a man who was totally self absorbed. nonsense. Claiming Gone Girl is literary.. nuts to that. Charles Dickens when he was alive was called a potboiler author, now,, literary.. Mark Twain was considered a childrens author.. now.. literary. Literary to some extent is in the mind of the reader.
-
I wonder if, instead of literary fiction vs popular fiction, Mr. Bergado could better have said character driven vs plot driven books. I am thinking of the likes of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Mark Twain (in as far as Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer are concerned). Accurate historical research (where possible) is almost a must these days, but doesn't necessarily make it a literary book. What about classics like Fahrenheit 450, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and 1984? By what or whose standard makes a book literary or not? An interesting research project, but not right now.
I am beginning a new series of books by R. W. Peake. His Marching with Caesar series follows a "grunt" soldier in the 10th Legion. The first book (not the first published) is teased from the original in the series, both being reworked to expand on the early life of Pullus (the legionary who narrates the story) and separate the material into two books. The second of the series, The Conquest of Gaul, deals with campaigns that we are now studying in Latin Class. BTW, not only has the author copyrighted his material, but he has registered Marching with Caesar (with the little circled R behind the name). I've forgotten how to get to the symbol menu to type it in. Smart guy.
-
Ahhhh, but isn't that the wonderful thing about reading fiction. What one reader loves may indeed be what another dislikes. Some authors that are raved about in various reviews and reader comments here and in other places that discuss books...goodreads, etc... are authors that would not appeal to me.
My husband is an avid reader, but our reading choices could not be farther apart. He loves nonfiction and particularly history, and those books bore me to death. He likes writers like C.J. Box and Daniel Silva. Nope...not for me.
My friends rave about Jodi Picoult or a book like Somerset by Leila Meacham, and insist I would love them. Nope! I had Somerset thrust at me one evening by a new acquaintance who insisted I could easily read the 625 pages in a few days. I really tried...and I couldn't enjoy it.
I think with the availability of so many choices we are so fortunate to be able to find authors we enjoy--and that is the reason I read.
One of the reasons I love my IPAD is that I don't have to suffer comments from strangers in waiting rooms or airports about what I'm reading. Reading, for me, is a very private and personal, and I guess, selfish thing. It's for me alone.
-
Uh Oh, Jane. I am one of those who strikes up a conversation with book readers, if only to ask what they are reading and share what I am reading without further comment from either of us. I am always interested in others opinions on what might be good or what authors might be worth a try, elsewise I wouldn't be here.
-
Yes, I can understand that, Frybabe, and each of us is different, of course.
I think when you see someone reading something you know you've enjoyed or would, then asking how they like it, etc. is great.
It's when someone is reading something you know you wouldn't enjoy...oh...for me, that would be something in this new genre called "New Adult," that I refrain from commenting. Back when I read paperbacks in waiting rooms, I'd get..."You read Jessica Scott or Robyn Carr or whoever it was ?" in a tone of voice that indicated I wasn't meeting the commentator's standard for literature.
Yep, I sure do. I enjoyed those women's series...and I'm old enough I don't have to defend my reading choices to anybody.
[And, for the purists, as an English major in college and teacher of HS English, I've probably read most of the classics.]
-
OK found this
The guidelines for literary and mainstream fiction often differ from those of popular fiction such as romance novels, fantasy novels, crimes novels, etc.... Literary fiction tends to focus on complex issues and the beauty of the writing itself, and your novel may rely more on action, which is the tendency of mainstream fiction. So how do you know if your novel is literary or mainstream? Let us explain.
Defining Mainstream and Literary
Mainstream: Sometimes referred to as literary light and general fiction, mainstream fiction blends genre fiction with techniques often unique to literary fiction. The language of the novel will at times delve into prose of a more literary vein (full of insight) while the rest of the writing will be more driven by the story. The premise of the story has to instantly hook the reader, but the narrative arc will be equal parts plot-driven and character-driven. Perspective is important, but the story takes precedence.
As with any good story, conflict will arise, but it will be presented in a way that’s more apparent and less nuanced than it would be in strict literary fiction. This distinction makes most mainstream fiction easier to read and accessible to a wider range of readers. Keep in mind that mainstream novels for new writers generally fall between 70,000 and 100,000 words.
Literary: Think of literary fiction as a manifesto of sorts—it’s driven by the ideas, themes, and concerns of the novelist, often producing a narrative that is at times controversial.
The style of prose is emphasized in literary fiction, whereas a writer of mainstream fiction will often forego stylistic writing in order to get to the meat of the story. The plot isn’t the main focus in literary fiction; rather, the history, social issues, and character developments that are a part of the story take precedence. Literary fiction for new writers may match that of mainstream fiction, while the word count for seasoned novelists can fall anywhere between 40,000 and 120,000 words.
-
And this
If you’re a book lover, you’ll often hear the words ‘popular fiction’ and ‘literary fiction’ being bandied about. In all likelihood, you’ll favour one type over another. But what do these terms really mean? To me, the words sum up differing attitudes to fiction. While literary fiction aims to hold up a mirror to the human condition, popular fiction aims to entertain, to thrill, to comfort. This difference manifests itself in various ways.
Plot Popular fiction books tend to be driven by plot. They are big-hearted, bally stories that slip down as easily as punch on a summer day. Plot is less important in literary novels; often, very little happens.
Character In literary novels, the character takes centre stage. They drive the story. The reader becomes fascinated by the characters, as they reveal themselves layer by layer. They tend to be outsiders, with a murky backstory. Characters in popular fiction novels are more likely to be stock figures, whose function is to serve the plot.
Setting Places in popular fiction novels are either immediately familiar or exotic, offering the possibility of escape. In literary fiction, places take on characters of their own. Authors will often explore the foreign within the familiar, for example, the self-contained London Jewish community.
Language Literary authors use language with care. Not a word is wasted; each word packs a punch. Unusual images and metaphors abound. In popular fiction, the language is plainer, closer to everyday spoken language.
Dialogue Popular fiction is generous in its use of dialogue. Because popular fiction authors write as they speak, the dialogue rings true and is rich with the language of everyday life. Literary fiction relies more on description than dialogue. When there is dialogue, it is more like written language than spoken.
Theme In both types of fiction, there is always a danger that the novel will be bogged down by issues, that the issue will matter more than the plot or characters. In both cases, the reader will feel that they are being preached to. Both types explore relevant, interesting themes and this exploration is most effective when it is channelled through characters or plot.
In reality, both types of fiction have their own appeal. And the lines between them are becoming increasingly blurred. there are intelligent blockbusters that pack a punch. And there are literary novels that are the equivalent of a limp handshake, lacking bite and sparkle. It’s time publishers, booksellers and readers stopped thinking in such narrow, genre-based terms and learned to celebrate quality, no matter what form it comes in.
-
Thank you for all of this discussion, how interesting. I have often wondered how literary fiction was defined. Like Steph and Jane, and all of you, i have often had to plow thru, and sometimes give up on some "literary fiction" as well as popular fiction and on books that others "loved", or keep reading those they look askance at. ;D
Isn't that wonderful!!! I love diversity of thought and choice.
-
O.k., this is weird........only half of my msg will post. The "preview" is complete, but the posting is only the first two paragraphs......i'll keep trying.
???
the rest of the msg
Even within my own reading my nightstand always has a cozy mystery, a fiction, a non-fiction and depending on my mood and circumstances a "deeper fiction".
Our church book group is reading Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottolini for discussion next Sun. I started it at the beginning of last week. I won't give anything away, but it is the kind of circumstance that any parent might find themselves in, especially through your children's teenage years. My children are way beyond teenagers, but, of course, even as adults we worry about them getting caught up in unsettling events. I had to put it down last week for i had an important event on Thurs night at which i had to make a speech which had to be coordinated with four other women's speeches. Reading the book was adding stress to the week. But i picked it up on Sat night and it's quite an interesting read, making the reader think "what would i have done at step 1, step 2, etc" as the events unroll.
It's not the typical LS "women's law firm" book. Something quite different.
Jean
-
So how do you know if your novel is literary or mainstream? Let us explain.
Barbara...interesting quote above. Who is the "us"? Can you give me a citation where this came from?
I'm confused about what is meant by the word "bally"... They are big-hearted, bally stories that slip down as easily as punch on a summer day. Plot is less important in literary novels; often, very little happens.
Perhaps it's a British term?
-
One article is from the Huffington Post Book site and the other from the BBC book site -
-
Ah...ok...I'll go looking to see if I can find out the meaning of some of their terms. Thanks.
-
bally - informal intensifiers; "what a bally (or blinking) nuisance"; "a bloody fool"; "a crashing bore"; "you flaming idiot"
-
As much as I have visited GB and have friends who are English.. Bally was a new term for me.. Not commonly used, I suspect .In the end,, as we age,, we read what we want, hopefully. I read a lot of stuff.. love mysteries, fantasy as well as general fiction. My only "Get away from me" fiction just now is this new passion for completely horrid characters that end up being even worse at the end..Sigh.. I know this is the New Wave... but not my wave.
-
A woman who lives above me was no doubt feeling very magnanimous a few weeks back when she left a book, a popular book by one of those writers (female) who makes more money than anyone should writing pure trash pulp fiction for the market, in the hall below our mailboxes with a note for anyone to take it. This author, who I do not name as I do not want to have my comments hurl darts into someones psyche, has been writing about rich folks and their sex lives and scandals of every stripe for decades now. But the book sat there for over 3 weeks unbespoken until my neighbor finally removed it.
I am firmly of the belief that reading ANYthing is better than not reading, albeit I do draw the line at inciteful propaganda. Thus I applaud all readers regardless of their taste.
Literature contains GOOD writing. Writing that emanates from an avid love of words and what they can describe. Writers who can feel soul satisfaction if just one person sighs and says: "Now THAT is one of the most beautiful descriptions I have ever read!" More than one would be great for the purse, but quality is a standard such a writer cannot abandon for the marketplace.
Historians remain divided in their opinions as to whether Sappho made a good living from her "songs," but that is actually a moot point, for truth to tell, no one knows. What we do know is no one has ever written more exquisitely down the ages. I feel immensely grateful that someone or some thing, somewhere along the line, stirred me to an appreciation of the art of writing. My gratitude knows no bounds, but hey!
Here's to readers everywhere, except those who exult in hate trash lies such as The Protocols of The Elders of Zion and the rest of the long and relentless list of such like. Reading is Good!
-
Speaking of Sappho, MaryPage. She recently made the news. Perhaps you saw it?
http://www.livescience.com/49543-sappho-new-poems-discovery.html
ps: click on the "available online" link for the presentation which includes more pix beginning on p20 of the pdf.
-
I did NOT see that article, Frybabe, so thanks. I read a bit about it in one of my many magazines, though; I think The New Yorker. It may have been National Geographic; I don't know. Anyway, I fell in love with her bits and pieces way back when I was 13 or 14, and have never met her equal since. Close, but no peer. And when you think that what we are reading was written hundreds of years before Christianity came along AND is a translation, I shiver!
When I was that 13 and 14 year old, I could tell anyone precisely which issue and date of which magazine or newspaper I read ANYthing in! Alas, no more; now I quite literally cannot tell you what I had for breakfast, or even for sure whether I stopped to EAT breakfast! So precious this brain matter, and so very fragile.
-
I still struggle with why authors like John UpDyke are considered literary.. I started reading him years ago and gave it up.. Just flatout hated his take on women.. I guess I like authors who make me care about the characters , and put me into their world, when I reemerge, I think about where I would rather be, their world or mine,, Sometimes it is hard to realize that their world does not exist except in our minds.
-
I may have posted this here when I read the A.J.Fikry novel. Just my take on it!
May I heartily recommend a current fiction novel: "The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry". The Author's name is Gabrielle Zevin. For booklovers like us, it is a beautiful read. A short book, but there is so much there. It has hilariously funny parts, sad parts, lots of literary references, and a bookstore owner who, in the beginning, is about as irascible and opinated as one can be. Upon his first meeting with Sales Rep from Knightley Press, Fikry is saying "this is not for me". She tells him, "I'd like the chance to get to know your tastes". "Like" he repeats with distaste. "How about I tell you what I don't like? I do not like postmodernism, postapocalyptic settings, postmortem narrators, or magic realism. I rarely respond to supposedly clever formal devices, multiple fonts, pictures where they shouldn't be--basically gimmicks of any kind. I find literary fiction about the Holocaust or any other major world tragedy to be distasteful--non fiction only, please. I do not like genre mash-ups a la the literary detective novel or the literary fantasy. Literary should be literary, and genre should be genre, and crossbreeding rarely results in anything satisfying. I do not like children's books, especially ones with orphans, and I prefer not to clutter my shelves with young adult. I do not like anything over four hundred pages or under one hundred fifty pages. I am repulsed by ghostwritten novels by reality television stars, celebrity picture books, sports memoirs movie tie-in editions, novelty items and--I imagine this goes without saying--vampires. I rarely stock debuts, chick lit, poetry, or translations. I would prefer not to stock series, but the demands of my pocketbook require me to".
And so on. This, alone, should guarantee that at least one of us has at least specified one of these criteria in our book choices, or the choices of our book groups!
-
I think he is a bit cranky and full of himself, I really do. An awful lot of what he does not care for I do not care for either, yet to live a life without poetry would be to lose so much exquisite beauty. I have two whole bookshelves chock full of poetry books, and what's more, those shelves are two books deep!
I read tons of translations, in fact, I just finished one by Jo Nesbo, and children's books are my very favorite genre of all! And imagine never reading a young adult! To have missed out on Harry Potter! Or Cynthia Voight, Lois Lowry or Madeliene L'Engle!
-
Sally great devise for character description without once describing his appearance or background - love it - and too some of his taste is similar to mine and some of it is not - like MaryPage I too love poetry and children's books which may be why I like magic realism that to me is nothing more than grown up fairytales and yes, have to agree all the novels built on historical tragedy or personal abuse oh dear.
-
I loved the description and really saw it as a wonderful way of introducing him.. I love and read a lot of things he did not and as you get into the novel, you realize he carried a wide variety of things. As a matter of fact, I dislike short stories mostly, but do read them. I like some poets, but not all,,love young adult mostly..It just made him real from the beginning for me.
-
What are you reading? I have the new Anne Tyler, and it's making me soooo mad. Talk about dysfunctional families! These are a whole group of dysfunctional people, passing themselves off as "family". Have yet to find one character (well, maybe one) that has any redeeming value. But yet I persist...I'm over the 100 page mark, and can't seem to put it down. My weary brain just made a connection....it's all about "choices" that people make in their lives, and some that are made for them. (Doesn't that sound "literary"?) BTW the title is "A Spool of Blue Thread". I did finish it, see that part of this post over on Srs&Friends in Library
-
I like Anne Tyler, but must be in the exact right mood for her. I grew up in Delaware and she writes about Baltimore and the eastern shore, so quite a lot, I know where she is going...
Reading.. Just finished the Loeb-Leopold book..Actually after reading it, am disappointed, that he got out on parole.. Not a nice human, ever, he simply did what he figured would get him out.. Bah..
Picked up The Dead in Their Vaulted ARches by Alan Bradley, I do like Flavia.. was startled as to how many I had missed, so Thrift books made out for me with a new supply of the books inbetween.
-
Finished The Darling Dahlias and the Confederate Rose, the third in Susan Albert's Darling Dahlia series. I like her description of living in a small town in the 1930s because it's not so different as my childhood in the 1940s, but i'd like a good story with the descriptions. This was a disappointing book, altho most of the Amazon reviewers liked it better than i did.
For me there was way too much descriptions of everything: people's appearance, houses, streets, etc. the story itself could have been written in about 100 pages. Maybe Albert needs to take a break from writing, she seemed to have run out of steam. This, from one who liked a lot of her mystery books.
Jean
-
I love the Herb books, but not so the Darling Dahlias..Decided to take a break and read some fantasy.. The Bane Chronicles. Fun and vivid.
-
Thanks much, Barb, for your post about literary fiction.
And MaryPage, I wish I could like poetry as you do. I've tried but have a hard time understanding most of it. I remember memorizing some poems when I was a teenager, mainly because I like their sound, like Poe's The Raven. And I loved Eugene Field's Little Boy Blue (it still brings tears to my eyes). But any of the modern poems I just can't care for them.
Same with short stories. I can't think of one I liked. So now I just skip them.
Marj
-
When I think about it,, I too like the older poets, most of whom are dead now.. The current crop, not so much.
-
I always liked poetry, but I got a much better handle on it when I read a textbook written by a cousin, which kind of alerted me to what to look for. I doubt I would have passed his course, but he enriched my life.
-
For the next book discussion, if we get enough people, I propose to discuss the first book of Sigrid Undset’s great trilogy, Kristin Lavransdatter. If you’re interested, come and tell us HERE (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=4658.0)
If you’re not sure, come on over and watch, and we’ll talk you into it. It’s a really good read.
-
no, simply will not be around. I did read the trilogy( Ithink it was three) and liked some of it.. not all however.
-
Kristin Lavransdatter has been talked about for a possible discussion many times here at SeniorLearn. This sounds like a wonderful chance to read it and have great people with whom to discuss it!
jane
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
-
By choosing to read Kristin Lavransdatter I only now learned this was translated - somehow I thought it was written in English and the other amazing to me bit was to click her name on Amazon and realize this women wrote numbers and numbers of books and was still living after WWII and had received the Noble in 1948 - amazing - her photos do not show a smiling women even in her younger years - now I am curious to find out more about her.
-
Start with the Nobel Prize website:
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1928/ (http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1928/)
If you click on her name in blue to the left of the picture, you get a menu, and "biographical" leads you to a brief one, told by her, which has some amusing bits. At one point she went to a commercial school, and says about it I did not like it there, but it had one advantage over my old school; no one there expected me to like anything.
I'll post the link in the Kristin discussion too.
-
The series that I always thought would be interesting is there is a trilogy about coming to America..
They were Scandinavian and went west to what is probably Wisconsin or so.. I liked it very much.. Could the title have been "The Immigrants"
-
I think the series you are thinking of Steph is written by Vilhelm Moberg. The first book in the series is called The Emigrants and is set in Minnesota once they get here.
Another series totally unrelated but often confused with Moberg because it was published about the same time and starts with The Immigrant is by Howard Fast. In my opinion not nearly as good.
Mary
-
Stephen Birmingham wrote a lot of books on the Jewish Emigration to America experience, the Irish and German emigration experience and lot of non fiction books on what happened to society when they got here. Social strata books. Back in the 80's I think it was he wrote a series of books of fiction on this too and I am stunned to see you can't even get some of them any more, they don't even list them, several sagas of families which were absolutely wonderful. I think one was called The Emigrants.
I THINK I still have them, all the fiction ones, somewhere on the shelves, if one could even open up the old creaky pages (surely the '80's were not that long ago) but his non fiction books are more well known and have apparently taken over. But they were good books. Really good reads. Very Chaim Potok in style, and he's also a very good writer.
They actually inspired a lot of my own interest in the emigration to America sagas. Those were tough people. When we were considering a Bookfest once, in the Midwest, we wrote Birmingham, he'd be in his mid 80s today, and who said he'd come if his expenses were paid but of course we could not afford to pay him, (and it wasn't particularly nearby)...I always wished we had had that pleasure. His fiction sagas do not let one go.
-
Thanks Mary, It was the Emigrants by Moberg and I loved it. Opened my eyes to an entirely different part of our country and inspired me years later to go to the area in our RV and drive all over the place to see the country they opened up.
-
I'm reading a fascinating novel, THE NIGHTENGALE by Kristin Hannah. It tells the story of two sisters living in a small town in France. Altho everyone is talking about the war in Europe and are fearful of the Germans invading France, the sisters cannot believe that the Germans will be able to get through the Maginot Line (a blockade built on the border between France and Germany after WWI. But invade the Germans do.
The younger 18-year old sister has to flee Paris and walks with crowds of thousands of people fleeing Paris. She learns to hate the Germans as she sees them bomb and strafe the innocent fleeing adults and children, killing and wounding them. As she reaches her older married sister's home in the small village(the sister's husband is away having been drafted into the Franch army), The women are forced to have a young German captain soldier live with them. Isobelle, the younger sister shows her hatred of the German by cutting off her long beautiful blonde hair when the captain praises her lovely locks. She joins with some young men in the village who also hate the Nazis, and assists them at the risk of her death by distributing leaflets that praise General de Gaulle who is in Britain and broadcasts encouragement by radio to the French. (the French own radios on penalty of death if caught with one) This book is beautifully written (I'd call it literary fiction that keeps you turning pages). As you read, you wonder what you would have done in their place. Everything seems so fearful and real. I now want to read a biography of Charles de Gaulle.
Marj
-
As I recall, everyone was quite confident the Maginot Line would keep the Germans out of France.
But the Germans swept in through Belgium and around the END of that line into France.
One big problem the French never mention for the history books: the guns and fortifications in place were all aimed outwards. They were unable to turn around and shoot at the enemy pouring in the other side. So the humongous expense turned out to have been useless! Funny, in a grim kind of way, and very sad for the French.
-
DeGaulle had an ego the size of the sun and was not particularly nice to anyone. He had inflated ideas on what the French did and ran down the actual Frenchmen who risked life and limb in the country and sat the war out in England, being important and giving orders. I have no respect for him, but the French adored him.
-
Marjifay, thanks for your clear description of Kristin Hannah's Nightengale. It's been on my TBR list for a long time, so I guess I'd better speed things up and think about reading it.
-
I like Kristin Hannah and have read a number of her books. The Nightingale is on my tbr list. I may have to move it up!
Sally
-
I read a few of hers many years ago, but may try Nightengale.. Sounds interesting.
-
Hoping you have a terrific Irish holiday, Steph! My principal desire re Ireland is to go to Dublin and do the James Joyce Bloomsday tour. It would be SO much fun to see all the places!
-
I'm reading the strangest book, one that I can't put down even though I can't figure it out, CRASH AND BURN by Lisa Gardner. Has anyone read it, or anything else by Gardner?
Marj
-
Marj, I have read one of Lisa Gardner's books. It really held my attention. Touch and Go. Lots of twists and turns in the plot.
Your question sent me to my bookshelf, and I have another there, and I will probably read that next. The Perfect Husband - which is the first in a series, I think. Thanks. I was in one of those "nothing appeals to me" periods in my reading.
-
Thanks, Nlhome, I put Touch and Go on hold at my library. I think I'm going to be addicted to Gardner's books!
Marj
-
Hmm, will look up Gardner.. Never heard of her.
-
I just finished Me Before You by JoJo moyes. Two people whose taste is similar to mine recommended it to me. It was very good and I may suggest it to my ftf reading group. The blurb made to book sound depressing, but it wasn't. Have any of you read it?
Sally
-
Yes, I read it and thoroughly enjoyed it! Your book group should enjoy it too.
-
The books I've read by Lisa Gardner are set in New Hampshire. Make me want to visit there. Lovely forests. Must be beautiful in the autumn.
Marj
-
Finished my book club book, had read it before and did not like it that much the first time.. A year in Provance...
-
Well, I just finished Lisa Gardner's Touch and Go. I was somewhat disappinted in it. It started out well enough and had some good suspence in it, but I thought the ending was pretty unbelievable.
Marj
-
I looked at the Moys book yesterday, but it sounded a bit too much romance for me.
-
Steph, I would not call the Moyes book (Me Before You) a romance book. There is a strange sort of romance in it, but it is not a romantic book (by my definition of romance, anyway). I do not care for romance books, either.
Sally
-
Sally, ok, will ignore the blurb and pick it up the next time I see it. just now is packing up my books that must travel with me. I am terrible about books and carry them along on my back and forths.
-
I just started reading Kate Atkinson's recently published novel, "A God in Ruins." So far, it's very good. Her previous novel, "Life After Life," was one of my favorite books. Are any of you fans of her?
-
I keep hearing more and more about Kate Atkinson.. I tried an early one and did not get interested enough to finish it. May try again.
-
Sorry you did not care for the book A Year in Provence, Steph. Of all the places I visited in Europe, Provence was my favorite. Lovely countryside and peope. I liked it more than Paris.
Marj
-
I have to agree with you, Steph, re Kate Atkinson. Some time ago I read her novel Case Histories, and did not care enough for it to read any other books by her.
However, since Winchester Lady likes her so much, I miight give A God in Ruins a read. I have found a couple of times that although I didn't care for one book by an author, I did like others.
Marj
-
Marj, A warning about Kate Atkinson's last two books. I love both of them, but some may not like the style of writing. Life After Life was unlike any book I've ever read. The premise of it is very clever...what if you had the chance to live your life again and do things differently? Then, if it didn't go right again, you could start over......and over. The story was about Ursula Todd and she is always born on the same date, but dies at different times of her life.
Her latest book, A God in Ruins, focuses on Ursula's younger brother, Teddy, who was a pilot in the Royal Air Force during WWII. (You don't have to read Life After Life before this.) Teddy never expected to come home from the war, but he does and ends up living a very long life. The story is not written in the style of her previous book, but she does skip back and forth among decades so it's not written in chronological order.
Just thought it was worth the warning. The style of writing took a bit to get used to, but was well worth it. Neither book is anything like the Case Histories book.
Sorry that got so long...
-
I read "Life After Life" with great expectations, and sadly, I really didn't enjoy the book at all.
-
I love, love, loved Kate Atkinson's Case Histories, and enjoyed the BBC miniseries, as well. Have not read her last two books because I have hundreds and hundreds on hand to read, and doubt very much I have enough time to get to all of them. This is NOT an announcement that I am about to expire, but quite simply that I am 86 and in possession of hundreds of titles I purchased because I want so much to read them.
-
MaryPage, I am going for you to be our 100 member.. We need to prove that reading makes you live longer..
I love Provence, just did not care for the book. A bit too " I am in the know and you aren't."
-
Mary Page, I hope you do not expire anytime soon. I enjoy your postings.
Marj
-
MaryPage, I love your postings. You DO have a way with words.
-
Ditto for me I love to read Mary Page's posts
-
Yes, I know all is right with the world when Mary Page you post and the morning has come a fresh when I read a post from Steph
-
Today is no eat, just water, so I can give a blood sample for the vampire nurse.. She says drink water, water , water. since I have veins that are not happy about his.. Bah. Started a Jonathon Kellerman book.. Killer.. Seems interesting and I like his Alex Delaware series.
-
Oh, my gosh! Thank you! You cannot see me curtsying to each of you, but that is precisely what is occurring here! And now I have to gather up a roll of paper towels, a waste basket, and a small plastic bucket with water and go out on the back deck and wash the pollen off the chairs & tables. Steph, I'm glad you enjoyed Ireland and REALLY GLAD you are back!
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I enjoyed it, but it was not my favorite place by any means. If you say this in front of Irish heritage, they take offense, which is silly. My favorite place for beauty, besides my beloved Blue Ridge... The Netherlands at tulip time in April. I will see the thousands of blooms in every color every day until I am no more. Overwhelming beauty in a teeny tiny country. I loved the whole place..
-
stuck on the reply button.
-
I'm not going to read any more of Lisa Gardner's books. While they do have lots of suspense in them, they are mostly too long with too complicated plots. And the last one I read was really sick-o with the girl telling about her childhood with a crazy mom who crushed a lightbulb in a dish, then mixed it with a tablespoon of peanut butter and fed it to her daughter. Ugh! You'd have to be a bit sicko yourself to think that one up.
Marj
-
Believe I Iwill not try her either. a bit too much. I have a new John Sandford.. last years Prey book.. 15 murdered girls. Whew.. upping the whole thing this time..
-
I suppose I shouldn't say that 15 sounds like overkill.
-
seems to indicate how long things can be happening if you plan carefully.. I stopped reading it for a while since I was a bit down and needed something to cheer me up. Will go back.
-
Pat, no you shouldn't. You most definitely should not.
-
I love Sandford.. but he is violent.
-
Sally, I'm with you on Jojo Moyes, and started reading her for much the same reason you did. I read Me Before You and couldn't put it down. It's definitely NOT depressing and NOT a romance novel. I've just recently started her Ship of Brides, which I think is based on real situations, but am not sure. I need to do a little research on that. It starts in 1946, about young women from Australia and New Zealand who married British miliary men during WWII and are now being transported to Great Britain. Moyes tells a good story. Captivating.
-
Oh my, that sounds interesting.. Will look for it..
-
I thoroughly enjoyed "Ship of Brides". Will look for "Me Before You".
-
I have it on my wish list at the swap site.. Been fooling with my stupid remote printer for hours yesterday. Everything I check says it is fine, but it is not printing in black at all.. Growl.
-
Sympathy here.
I have a DELL 2130cn. Has been perfect for years now. On the pricey side at first, but does color beautifully, which is what I have wanted both for printing out the flags and maps for the Elementary School Geography books I write and for family photo reprints. And an ink cartridge lasts well beyond the 2,500 copies they promise. Well beyond. So I am happy.
-
Just the black, Steph? Sounds like a print head/nozzle is clogged. Did you swap out to a new ink cartridge? I assume the cleaning process did not work. I had something similar happen a few years back. I didn't use my inkjet enough so, I think, the print head got too gummed up with dried up ink. Swapping to a new cartridge didn't help. I got a new machine, but had intended to take the old one apart to clean the main print head mechanism. Never did.
-
It was the black ink.. Even though it showed it as full, when I changed it out, it works perfectly. Bah..
-
Just heard that Vincent Bugliosi had died, of cancer per his son. I decided I'd finally read his book Helter Skelter; the True Story of the Manson murders so put it on hold at my library (eek--502 pp). I remember when that happened, so awful and so scary. I was also curious to see what part Patricia Krenwinkel actually played in the murders, as I heard an interview someone did with her in which she said she was sorry for what she did and blamed getting involved with Manson on her not receiving any love from her own family.
Marj
-
Oh I read Helter Skelter so many many years ago. Excellent and scary.. Charlie was into the girls and the girls were into him. Never could figure out why.. He looked like a lunatic..
-
I read it, too; seems like a million years ago. And I had the same thoughts. People are the worst kind!
-
Bugliosi wrote several books, but remained obsessed with Charlie.
-
I got sidetracked before starting Helter Skelter on another of Vincent Bugliosi's books -- DIVINITY OF DOUBT; THE QUESTION OF GOD. I'm always interested to read about people's beliefs and opinions on this subject. Bugliosi claims to be agnostic on the question of whether god exists, and says this is the only position an intelligent person should take as he skewers atheists and theists alike. (One Amazon reader says Bugliosi skewers anyone who doesn't agree with him.) I thought he was very intelligent person as in the third grade he asked the priest who ran his Catholic school rather intelligent questions about god, things I would never have thought of at that age, but, then, I was not bombarded with religious doctrines as he must have been at a Catholic school. Anyway, it's an interesting book if you like to read about the subject.
Marj
-
I sortof agree andmay pick the book up
-
Special Announcement
Our website will be down, beginning Monday evening, June 29, GMT, for a large update.
Please do not post at this time as your post will probably disappear.
We do not know how long it will take the computer expert to load this update and have it working.
The website will not look as it has when it comes up until we tweak it, so please be patient. Please continue to check back for news. We hope to be up and functioning by Tuesday, but if not, it shouldn't be too much longer.
Thank you for your patience
|
-
Hello out there!
-
Noone has been posting on the general fiction for a while. I just joined a local book club up here. Next meeting is Wednesday, so I have the book... Walter Kirn :Blood will tell" Says it is a true sstory and seems to be a story of the man who called himself a Rockefeller and was really a German,, scamer and it seems also a murderer. This author hooked up with him and the story is more about the author than the other man.. Not a good book. terrible writer.. more interested in telling you about all his stupidity and the beginning about transporting a very very injured dog from Montana to New York to This Clark Rockefeller. The dog rescue group are truly bad, since sending off this dog with the author who was stupid and not adog lover was criminal.. So I am struggling with the book.
-
I vaguely remember the scam and the name Clark Rockefeller. I don't remember the details, however.
Since you know about rescue dogs, I can understand why it's hard for you.
-
Yes, the excuses later in the book about the rescue group still made no sense. Sending a totally crippled dog off to a total stranger many many miles away with no home visit or real word on him was awful.. Finished the book.. The ego of the author interferes with the book. He was so interestedin talking about himself.. Sigh. Oh well. I will go to the book club meeting and see what happens.
-
I'm trying to read "The Paris Architect" that someone mentioned. It's well written and a good story, but i'm in a bit of a stressful time in my personal life and the danger of the Nazis closing in is adding to that. I have to put it down every couple days and go away from it.
Jean
-
I'm reading a very interesting book -- A PLACE OF GREATER SAFETY by Hillary Mantel. I wanted to read about the French Revolution so I picked up this book. She is really a great writer and I love her wry sense of humor in the book. It's a novel, and starts out with the childhood lives of Robespierre and two of his revolutionary acquaintences. Since very little is known of their early lives she had made up most of their stories from what is known of them later, and done a very good job of it IMO. Now I want to get a good nonfiction book on the French Revolution. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Marj
-
I started a very unusual book last night. written by Sarah Chuurchwell.. Careless People, subtitle Murder,Mayhem and the invention of the Great Gatsby.. It is sort of fiction, history, real, unreal,, a murder ( famous in New Jersey). whew.. You have to stop and figure out where you are from time to time. Has anyone else read it??
-
Steph, there are several books at Amazon titled Blood Will Tell, but none by Walter Kirn. Is that the right author of the book you were talking about?
Marj
-
Right author, so check in Amazon, since I did and discovered he has written several others.. Tomororow will be the meeting of the brand new(tome) book club discussion of the book.. Did I mess up. should be Blood will out.
-
I just finished reading a book by Jennifer Niven. "All The Bright Places". It is a Young Adult book, and I find that there is a lot of good reading coming out of this genre nowadays.
This book will not be for everyone, due to subject matter; i.e. BiPolar Disorder, suicide in teens, bullying. That being said, I found it a beautiful, poetic, sad, yet uplifting story, well-written by an author who has lived these trials.
-
I find so many Young Adult books are excellent nowadays . So I will check it out for sure. Tomorrow I can tell you about my new(to me) book club and the most peculiar book we were supposed to read ( I did, but not quite sure why)
-
I just found a new (to me ) author who i think will be giving me a lot of laughs. I got an ebook from Ovid titled The Blue Ribbon Jalapano Society Jubilee by Carolyn Brown. It was a Texas "Steel Magnolias." The story takes place over a few months in a small Texas town with a group of friends, and enemies! I realized the conversation among some of them reminded me of the banter between Shirley McClain and Olympia Dukakis in Steel Magnolias. The characters range in age from early twenties to mid-70s. It was not laugh out loud funny, but i was smiling a lot. Just what i needed at this moment. A simple, enjoyable, well-written story with humor, with interesting, evolving characters.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Blue-Ribbon-Jalapeño-Society-Jubilee/dp/1402281269/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=12KT72G5DH2YP66X4FEK
Jean
-
http://www.amazon.com/Carolyn-Brown/e/B000APIBQK/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1436419950&sr=1-2-ent
Or
http://www.carolynlbrown.com/about10.html
I think some of her books may be "romance" books. I'll need to cull those out. 😊 Some more research needed..............
oh yes! She has a "cowboy romance series" Don't get confused, the pctures of CB are VERY different on the two sites LOLOL but the books are the same titles!!! ;D ;D
Jean
-
Jean the other one she wrote with that similar snappy fun humor is The Red Hot Chili Cook Off.
Another you may find as much fun is Sarah Bird's Alamo House about UT sorority girls - not in ebook but a used copy for a penny - http://tinyurl.com/pscmagg
And still another fun writer is Ben Rehder who writes about off beat and f-u-n-n-y situations and characters that are a pseudo mystery stories - the Blanco Series is 9 books all in ebooks - here is an Amazon link to one of them -
http://tinyurl.com/pwtezxb
-
So, a fun book club.. mixed group,half and half men and women, which really leads to a lively discussion.. Murder will Out was a hard book for me, It started out with a dog rescue that was horrifying to a rescuer like me, but then progressed into a very odd book,half biography of author and half about Clark Rockefeller, who was a fake and also a murderer. We had so many different ways of looking at the book.. What fun.. In two weeks, we were instructed to each bring a poem and then pass them around and discuss the differences and why we like particular poets. Sounds like a lively discussion.
-
How nice Steph, sounds like a nice positive addition to your summers in NC.
Our library book group is reading " The Run for the Elbertas" by James Still. It was originally published in the 1930's. I'm not sure how to describe it. It's not a novel in the cohesive, continuing story sense. It's really a group of short stories about the same characters set in the Applachians.
He writes in dialect and colloqualisms, but often confusing, unknowable ones to me. I can generally figure out what he means by the context, but it interrupts the story for me as I stop every couple of paragraphs to think about what the character is saying. Have any of you read it, or anything else by him? He has won the O. Henry Memorial Prize and was the poet laureate of Kentucky. The Chattanoga Times says he's "a great story teller."
The meeting is tonight. We're expecting severe storms, so i may not attend, altho I'm curious how others felt about the book. Altho books are recommended by the group members, the librarians decide what will be read.
Jean
-
Oh for heaven's sake haven't heard of Jim Still in years - big deal in eastern Kentucky - seems to me he wrote about the people in a way that there were supper table debates if he was an author or a collector of mountain stories.
-
I think I read some of Jim Stills work many years ago. I do so hate dialect stuff. The stuff and start of figuring out what is happening are more than I like.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
They did it! Barnes & Noble managed to get the post office to actually deliver Harper Lee's new old book to me on this day: Publication Day! Three cheers for them! How do they do that?
I will now put aside the book I am currently reading and start in. Will let you know, you can be sure of that.
-
Wow - impressive - yes, please let us know - what I hear in the media it is a different Atticus
-
Yes, it will be interesting what you think about it. From all I've heard it sounds more true to life than the one that everyone knows. I lived in Virgina during those years when schools were closed for almost two years in my area because of the court ordered integration.......sad but true.
-
I lived in South Carolina, Columbia and Myrtle Beach in that era.. and oh my it was different there.
-
Finished GO SET A WATCHMAN. Read a good deal of it twice. Don't pay any attention to the public babble; you will still love Atticus at the end. In my mind's eye I will probably always picture Gregory Peck!
Watchman is marvelous to me. I love Lee's voice. She has so many of MY thoughts; slides into little references which are meaningful to me. Her book was born out of her real life struggle between her home town persona and the sophisticated college grad who migrated to Manhattan. The little girl who was in love with her daddy and had to be jolted out of that fixation in order to fully come into her adulthood by acknowledging his imperfections. I relate to the pattern of her so very much. I remember with an inside chuckle when my husband used to swear he could always tell for days when I had come back from a visit back home. He said I spoke and sounded differently.
She also wrote this around a compulsion to explain and excuse her beloved Southland to the uncomprehending world. A rather humongous task and, albeit I follow her totally in every aspect and detail, she makes a valiant effort which can only fail, as few in this world own her sensibilities. Too bad, say I; but good on her for trying. She does so out of love for the spot that spawned her.
Worth the reading. Won't make a movie, as it is more of an historical philosophy than a novel in my opinion. By the way, prepare to be reduced to fits of laughing out loud in places, my personal favorite being when the Truman Capote character cuts up his auntie's guest sheets in order to portray The Holy Ghost! I seriously near choked to death on that one!
Yep, do read this and make your summer blossom.
-
ok..ok.. not just now with the commotion, but soon..
-
I just finished reading a book by Jennifer Niven. "All The Bright Places". It is a Young Adult book, and I find that there is a lot of good reading coming out of this genre nowadays.
This book will not be for everyone, due to subject matter; i.e. BiPolar Disorder, suicide in teens, bullying. That being said, I found it a beautiful, poetic, sad, yet uplifting story, well-written by an author who has lived these trials.
-
young Adult is a very very popular genre just now. So good stuff coming out of it.
-
I am finally getting back to an interesting book by Lewis Shiner called Dark Tangos. The action centers around a guy who moves to Buenos Aries to keep his programming job. But it is not about programming;it is about his love of tango dancing and a blossoming romance with a woman he meets at one of the dancing clubs. It often dips into the political situation, both current and past, that have shaped the lives of those he meets. The book is in .pdf form, found who knows where on the net. I have no idea if there are other formats available.
-
Spent yesterday afternoon at book club with the poetry day. Interesting the choices.. Now if people wouldjust enjoy poetry and not fuss about meter and deep meanings.
-
My sentiments precisely.
I adore poetry, and have written it all of my life. Well, since second grade. I get so fed up with all of that crap, not to mention more than fifty percent of what is published these days. Oh well. To each his own. And no, I do not even attempt to publish.
-
With August around the corner we want to be sure y'all know what is in the hopper...
The discussion will be in preparation for our 20th year reading as a group - the first discussion "Snow Falling on Cedars" was March 1996. The title of the August discussion, that will start on August 10 and continue for two weeks is...
"Our Wild Days; Creating the Good Life on SeniorLearn".
Over the 14 days we will engage in a conversation of memories, with questions that prompt our opinions about reading as a group, and our thoughts about certain books. No book needs to be borrowed or purchased; we are using as a guide a recommended book from our Library discussion - Elderwriters: Celebrate Your Life! Our celebration will be sharing our memories of together, reading books.
-
sounds like fun and I hope to participate..
-
Our Wild Days; Creating the Good Life on SeniorLearn
When we look back on
our many fond memories of
enjoying a story
that we discuss here
on Senior Learn,
we realize
it's not so much the story
we remember,
but the feeling
of friendship and security
that it gave us. | (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/9d/37/88/9d37887c858caa5b850dd530550c1b9e.jpg) |
Join us Monday August 10
when we share our memories of books read on Senior Learn
-
mark...I will certainly be there.
-
Most of our everyday is filled with meals, laundry, appointments, shopping, work, paying bills, gassing up the car, mowing, weekend cleanup, church, friends, volunteering, caring for partner/family, the cat or dog - some of these activities are written in our planners but most are the ordinary responsibilities we mentally track as, the week's "to do".
Now the big question - Does anyone ever really schedule in their appointment calendar a set time to read, or write and post a chapter analysis, or does anyone schedule on a chalk board time for a Senior Learn discussion, or set an appointment for research time to find more background for the current story?
Have you ever chucked it all and read for an entire afternoon or even a day? Have you ever sat down immediately to read a new book delivered or picked up from the library? Have you, as I have, binged for a day or more, reading more than one book, eating leftovers or heating up a bowl of soup.
“Voila!” - Our "Wild Days!"
Our "Wild Days" are all the unscheduled times we read and post on SeniorLearn and the times we binge read. All the time we do not schedule in our appointment book or even our mental 'to do' track. It's our Wheee time or me time??!!?? Our "Wild Days!"
(http://i.guim.co.uk/img/static/sys-images/Admin/BkFill/Default_image_group/2010/2/2/1265125740532/illustration-by-inga-moor-001.jpg?w=620&q=85&auto=format&sharp=10&s=f065176052b9065110f6813ad625a92e)
We're excited about reading your stories that will capture and celebrate our golden "Wild Days" Starting on August 10 bring your ukulele, banjo, guitar, harmonica or just hum through an old tooth comb and tissue and sing outloud around our fire of memories in the discussion Our Wild Days; Creating the Good Life on SeniorLearn.
-
mrark
-
Is it just me and the books i've run into, or are there a recent pack of fiction books about WWII France? We've mentioned The Paris Architect here. I've just begun Lisette's List by Susan Vreeland, which started out great but has gotten sluggish. However it is one of those books that altho the author becomes wordy there are enough interesting bits to keep me reading. :)
I was skimming thru an NPR suggested reading list earlier and there was one on there, altho i don't remember the name. I recently heard someone talking about a book about the French Resistence and how important it was to winning the war. I'm not sure if their book was fiction or non-fiction. What is it about France that grabs an author's fancy? (That's a serious question, not a snarky one) It reminds me of how many books have a setting in North or South Carolina.
Jean
-
I have been reading about WWII and France. After the war, there was a lot of horror from the various groups.. There were a lot of collaborators who were simply paying off old grudges.. So I for one have been reading a lot, but not interested in love stories of that era.
-
Glad to hear you liked Harper Lee's Go Set A Watchman, MaryPage. I have it on my TBR list, but have some reservations about it because for some reason her To Kill A Mockingbird was a DNF for me, altho I really liked the movie made from it.
Marj
-
Jean/Mabel -- yes, I think there is such a pack about WWII France. I'm reading - and loving - one right now, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. It's set in both France and Germany with a focus on a blind French girl and a German boy. Doerr received a 2015 Pulitzer for this and it was on several "Best Books of 2014" lists towards the end of last year.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is another WWII set in France. From what I've read or heard it's about two sisters who take divergent paths, about the "women's war." I believe one of the sisters joins the Resistance. It's on my TBR list and I hope to read it too.
Coincidentally, I just today received from Netflix a 1969 film, Army of Shadows, also about the French Resistance. Based on a book (same title) by Joseph Kessel. And, I've also recently read some "Bess Crawford" mysteries by Charles Todd (mother and son duo author) set in France, WWI.
-
I have been looking for and reading the Charles Todd mysteries about WWI..
What a joy they are. Someone, maybe you Pedlin mentioned them and I have read two and looking for more.
I will never forget joining the bookdiscussion on
Edna
St. Vincent Millay and discovering she was decidedly not a nice person..
Great poet though.
-
Jane. I got thrown back to 2008 in this Forum and notice that yes, you did wear glasses back then. I think you look really good in them. I just wear for reading and hate the keep taking them on and off all the time. Tried walking with glasses on but stumble all over the place.
-
I heard today that there will be a series coming on TV of my favourite movie. "The Notepad" wonder which station will carry it. Who will play the parts. James Gardner I know has passed away and I think also Gina Rawlings. Maybe that is how they now have the rights to do it.
-
Finished my bed book, which was an older book about airforce wives, starting when they were all in England with their pilot husbands and then following them through life. Interesting how much life has changed since the late 1940's
-
"The Notebook" - was a wonderful movie. I don't think a remake will do it any justice, as most remakes turn out awful.
-
Never saw the movie or read the book.. Started it, but it was not my type of stuff, so put it back .
As I just mentioned in the library, I am reading Pick up by Nadine Gordimer for my f2f book club. Very different than her normal stuff. I am somewhat bewildered by the choices being made by the main female character. if anyone else has read the book, I would appreciate feedback.
-
Steph, I just saw your comment about the book about airforce wives in Britain in the 1940's. A recent one you might find interesting is Ship of Brides by JoJo Moyes. It's about women in Australia and New Zealand who married British soldiers during WW II who now after the war are being transported, by the government, to join their husbands in Great Britain.
Moyes, I think, is a British writer. Another of hers that I was glad I read is Me Before You, about a quadripeligic and his care-giver.
-
Haha! (quoting Ginny ;D :D) ........thinking of The Notebook made me chuckle....i had a book group meeting at my house for a few years. The first book we read was The Notebook. My DH who is not much of a reader was asked by his DW to read it - we thought maybe we'd invite the DHs to the group for that book. His only comment was "that book was written by a woman, no man would write such a perfect (from women's point of view) man!" :D ;D
Jean
-
I have not yet found Ship of Brides, I tried some earlier stuff of hers, but it was too too romantic for me.
-
Our library system is currently working together with Southern Methodist University on promoting a book called “Station Eleven” that was chosen as SMU’s common reading program. Each year a single book is chosen by SMU’s Common Reading Selection Committee to be read by all of the staff, faculty, and students over the summer. The author, Emily St. John Mandel, will be hosting an author lecture here in Dallas this upcoming early September. In addition, our library is coming up with exciting programs tied in to the books subject such as vaccine panel discussions, epidemiologist lectures, post-apocalyptic theme photograph manipulation craft, survival classes by REI, pop-up Shakespeare theatre, and book discussions.
Here is the SMU web site that says a bit about the book: http://www.smu.edu/Provost/Ethics/CommonReading/2015
The above was Not my post, but informs as to how our library book club came to receive copies of the book. This is rather a post-apocalyptic story, but don't let that scare you away. The characters are well-drawn and we feel empathy for these remnants of civilization, who call themselves "The Traveling Symphony". It is told mostly in flash forwards/flashbacks. (couldn't seem to get the link to SMU's website as shown above, but perhaps you can work with it and find out how we came to get this book)
P.S. The link works well in the body of this post. The "Blog" icon actually only deals with previous Common Reading Books. Didnt find anything there for Station Eleven.
-
Hah..Thrift came through for me.. Found Ship of Brides.. The Ron Rash I need for the book club up here .(seems he comes from around here and they reread one of his each year)and the Language of Flowers,which I need for my Clermont book club for october.
-
Steph, I think you will like "Language of Flowers". Our f2f book club read it, and all enjoyed it.
-
Thanks I hope to. Heard good things about it. The Ron Rash is throwing me a bit since he was originally a poet and this was his first book.. We will see. Dont think I will try the Lake book, since I already have two non fiction books for the local book club in September and I really like to mix it up more than that.
-
Wheee we are open - Jane did it... our pre-discussion For Love of Lakes is open and ready AND the link is in the heading for the intro to the book along with the link to the book that is about 3/4ths of the book that is available to us from Amazon - here is the link to the discussion ... http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=4803.0
-
I just quickly browsed the Ron Resh and it looks very promising. Wednesday is the Edward Abbey,Desert solitaire.. I really dont like it, but I bet the men in my f2f club do.
-
BOOK REVIEW – 9-3-15 - by J. McIntyre
At or near the top of the NYT Best Seller List for several weeks, “The Girl On The Train” by Paula Hawkins seemed to be a shoo-in for my next favorite thriller. One of the cover blurbs did give me pause when it made a vague comparison to “Gone Girl”. But what could go wrong when a young woman travelling on a commuter train every day spots a couple on their deck and in their back garden. She gives them names and fantasizes about their lives, while her life couldn’t be less perfect. Nor the lives of those, once or soon to be, close to her.
The narration switches between our commuter Rachel; the female half of the “perfect” couple, Megan, and the woman who has effectively usurped Rachel’s life and happiness, Anna. No wonder then that Rachel is suffering from depression and alcoholism with accompanying blackouts.
While I waded through the first 51 pages, knowing something had to “happen”, the author is intent on weaving back-stories into the narration, exposing the characters, warts and all, until the reader’s “who really cares about these people” sets in and it becomes do or die…finish the book and find out who done it, or slam the covers closed and let them stew in their own stagnated half-lives. I finished the book.
jm
-
I was right, the men in the book club loved Edward Abbey and lamented how The Arches had paved roads, etc. Foolishness. I agree that we need to exert some sort of control on the number of people a day in the big parks,, but they are national for a reason.
-
I see that C. N. Parkinson (of Parkinson's Law fame) wrote a naval adventure series. The Guernseyman, the first (although written last) of the Richard Delancey series, is an e-book freebie for anyone who likes naval historical novels.
I had no idea that Parkinson was a naval historian. Now I am really curious about some of his other books. What interesting titles on some of his non-fiction works: Parkinsanities (1965), The Law of Delay (1970), The fur-lined mousetrap (1972), The Law, or Still in Pursuit (1979).
-
I am going to try Book Thief again. Tried twice and just did not like the style, but am told it is such a good story. Sigh.. Sometimes I do wonder about authors who get a bit cutsey in how they write.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Steph, have you seen the movie? The movie is much more straight forward. I didn't watch the whole movie, but I don't think "death", or whatever it called itself, makes much of an appearance in the narrative.
-
What a good idea. Will look on Netflix, since the book just does not work for me.
-
Frybabe, I didn't know Parkinson was a Naval expert either until I ran across The Guernseyman while looking for used paperback Horatio Hornblower novels in the naval fiction section of Powell's Books. It got buried in a TBR pile, but it looks promising.
Steph, the thing I liked least about The Book Thief was his habit of trying for a "gee whiz" sentence almost every page.
-
I think maybe if we keep in mind that The Book Thief was originally intended for the Young Adult audience, and thus the "gee whiz moments". The movie was shown on one of my cable channels on Saturday, and I watched most of it again (tuned in too late for the beginning). I think the gee whiz moments did not get to the screen version!
-
I am going to put it on my netflix queu... Seems the best choice I just read Eli Gottlieb first novel. Semi autobiographical about his brother and the family.. Shows the destruction that can occur in Autism families. Excellent and hard to put down.
-
I read South of Broad and loved it of course give
me anything about the south and I am happy.
-
IMO, South of Broad is Pat Conroy's love letter to Charleston. And, of course, almost anything by Pat Conroy is wonderful.
-
Yes and I love the stories his wife, Cassandra King writes.
-
I love pat, but not that fond of the Cassandra. OK, but not something I wait for. Pat on the other hand, I get so excited when a new one comes out. He writes with such love of his part of the south.
-
Steph I love Netflix am binge watching something now. My memory is gone but its about a cowboy sheriff and his deputy is a girl with blond hair.
Ive learned something about the "binge" watching from the kids I kind of enjoy it.
-
Longmire?
-
Thats it. Watching it now, maybe it never ends.
-
I saw a few of the Longmire and went out and hunted down Craig Johnson.. The books are tremendous and I never like westerns, but like him.
-
Still watching
-
Wow.. Never binge watched and dont think I would like it, but I would like to know more about streaming..
-
still watching
-
Judy, are you talking of all day watching or watching one or two episodes a day.
It is still so hot and humid in Florida.Darn it all, It is November.
-
I'm watching a marathon of "Soap" today. What a good, funny show. Great actors. It's on the LOGO channeL, I have no idea what that stands for.
I'm also still watching Monarch of the Glenn and Switched at Birth on Netflix. What a joy to be able to watch something I really want to see when there's nothing I want to see n tv.
Jean
-
I loved Soap and got the first two years once on netflix, but not the last ones, that got more and more off the wall.. Yes, I love netflix because most of tv just now is either zombies or the like or reality that I dont really enjoy..
-
still watching maybe 2 hours a night
-
OK.. now I see. I do netflix, but mostly only an hour show a night.I am always somewhat behind on Good Wife and enjoy her. Am heartbroken that Callinda has gone though.
-
still watching
-
Wow.. Judy, you are going to know everything there is to know about the show.
-
still watching
-
Judy what in the world are you marathon watching???
-
I think she has been watching Longmier.. which is a western sheriff.. Actually very good and the original book are excellent as well. If you remember Lou Diamond Philips, I think he plays the indian bar owner.
-
ah so - thanks Steph - I am not familiar with either the series or the books. Need to look into it and see what it is all about.
-
still watching like it more as it goes along. Longmire
-
Lou Diamond Phillips was one of the two "casting errors" that I referred to. In the books, Standing Bear was almost a giant of a man. Short little Phillips just didn't fit my picturing of the character, although he is playing the part very well.
-
He has that stillness that the book shares with us, so I like him in the role.I need to net flix, but not all at once.
-
Phillips is in that new movie out about the mine disaster and rescue of 33 miners in Chili. So are James Brolin, Cote de Pablo (formerly on NCIS), Gabriel Byrne, and, Antonio Banderas. I am unfamiliar with the other cast memebers. I'd like to see it.
-
Cote de Pablo was a favorite of mine. A lovely complicated character and great beauty..
-
Finished Longmier after 2 hours yesterday thoroughly enjoyed it. If any of you have netflex which I am sure you do I got hooked on Grace and Frankie. It is soooo good and Lily Tolman and Jane Fonda were spectacular. Jane is 73 and wow I wished I'd looked like that at 30.
Its just plain fun.
-
Yes, my girlfriend told me about Grace and Frankie and let me piggyback on her Netflix to watch, it was wonderful. I wonder if they will have another season
Jean
-
Went to look, there is supposed to be a second season, but there is no viewing date, not a good sign.
http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/grace-and-frankie-season-two-delays-prompt-wheel-of-blame-39447/
Jean
-
I will try again. I tried once to get netflix to give me the show and got nothing,, nada. nowhere. Bah
-
I'm reading "The Paris Architect" about an architect in Paris who helped in hiding the Jews in World War II.
I read an article in our local paper about an American who was in Paris for a convention during the awful terrorist attack in Paris. He happened to be reading this book while there and said it was surreal to be walking along the streets of Paris that were written about in the book and knowing about what had just happened. The article got me interested in the book and I got it from Amazon for my iPad. It's interesting and a little different look at WWII.
-
I have a note that that is supposed to be an excellent book. Will look it up today.
-
Yes, i enjoyed The Paris Architect. It gives the reader a lot to think about. How would I behave in a similar situation? And how we get caught up in the evolving events and are rolled along without necessarily making a decision.
Jean
-
Its on my Kindle and if I ever get a chance to sit down this week, will look at it.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
I loved the ending. There is so much bad news all around I like to end a book feeling good about life.
-
Had my f2f book club yesterday and promised to read the Paris Architect and report back on whether we might like it as a book club book.. Any opinions..
-
My heart goes out to Norms family he will be missed
-
Judy,, what Norm.. The one from Cheers??
-
Judy, thanks for the heads up. I'll mosey over to Senior and Friends to add my condolences.
-
Steph, Norm Tock from Seniors and Friends died unexpectantly. He was on SeniorNet for many years. His sister Mary Ann Tock (age 91 years) posted in Seniors and Friends. She is a frequent poster in several of the forums where I occasionally post. Norm had a forum called Norm's Bait and Tackle Shop in S&F.
-
Sorta remember but I have not been a regular on Senior and Friends for a couple of years now - Was Norm from Canada or the US? With age we bring about our own change - and it gets more difficult to fill in the empty spot.
Need to get this show on the road around here today - put off just as long as I could - wishing y'all a...
(https://bglibcdn.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/uploads/2014/11/Happy-Thanksgiving-horiz.jpg)
-
Norm has 2 home one in Michigan and 1 in florida. Norm I were in the very first of senior net along womth ginny
and pat. Trip NY in 1998 but I don't think he went on that one. I wonder how many are left from original bunch...
he and papa John had a every day posting going on and it was funny
-
I was pretty early, but dont remember him at all.
-
The Paris Architect sounds good to me, Steph. I put it on my TBR list.
But I doubt many here would want to read it for a book discussion. Those here seem to like rather bland books IMO.
Marj
-
I put it on my Kindle, since that seemed to be the least expensive way to go. It is rare for me to join the book discussions, generally not the type of book, I am interested in..
-
I came home from the library with The Coffee Trader by David Liss, but haven't started it yet. It is an historical novel set in 1659 Amsterdam.
-
You'll like it - he is not a great writer but he tells a good story - my two favorites are The Whiskey Rebels and his very early A Conspiracy of Paper
-
Should I be reading these in order Barb? I took a look at the Wikipedia blurbs and the characters seem to be the same. A Conspiracy of Paper is his first novel, followed by The Coffee Trader. My library system seems to have most if not all his books. I just happened to see this one as I was shelving books on Friday.
-
They pretty much stand alone - any personality quirk is explained in each novel - I do think that the A Spectacle of Corruption is the only one that would best be read after A Conspiracy of Paper - similar time and issues, where as the Coffee Traders if I remember correctly takes place in the Netherlands.
-
Yes, I've just been checking Wikipedia again. Did you read the third of the trilogy, The Devil's Company?
Amazing! He just came out with a junior level Science Fiction book. Looks interesting too. Whisky Rebels is going on my library wish list along with the trilogy books.
-
Did not yet read The Devil's Company - met him a few years ago at the Texas Book Festival held here on the capitol grounds - he lives in San Antonio - young dad - reddish hair - few knew who he was so his line for an autograph was not very long - I had read a couple of his books so I wanted to meet him - not a Booker winning writer but I like his plots and subjects - the kind of history never included in a history book.
-
Since my earliest paternal ancestors are all from the Netherlands, I loved several of his books. I also loved the netherlands when we did a river cruise. Beautiful and cozy all at once
-
Speaking of ancestors Steph, are you familiar with the George School in Newtown, PA? It appears John M. George, for whom the school was named, is an ancestor of mine. http://www.georgeschool.org/person/john-m-george/
-
Just reread Invention of Wings for our church book discussion. What a wonderful book.
Jean
-
Jean, I found a beautiful poem this morning. I think it was a side-bar on "Goodreads", but it is by Alarie Tennille, titled "The Quilters of Gee's Bend". I copied it to an email, and maybe with any luck I can find it and post it here. It follows along with the ideas of "Invention of Wings" fabulously.
The Quilters of Gee's Bend
by Alarie Tennille
Seems like that old river tied
itself in a knot just to keep
black folks there at Gee's
Bend while time and fortune
swept on by.
And Master Pettway gave
those folks his name, but stripped
everything else he could. Left
just scraps, but they were used to that.
So those hands that hardly
needed something else to do
unraveled their worn-out
world. Pieced together
remnants of Africa
and raggedy dreams
to make something new.
Let dress tails dance
with britches—heat from
the cotton fields pressed
deep in their seams.
So tired of plowed furrows,
they let their stitches bend
now and then just like
that river. Nothing perfect,
yet God was in the details.
And the quilters called that
making do and visiting
and keeping warm and pulling
up memories each night,
till one day they were told—
we call that art.
(hey I did it!)
-
not sure about it now, but The George school was a wonderful school in the 50's and 60's.. I would have loved to go, but my parents did not want me to go to a boarding school.. My Dad was somewhat suspicious of them. How nice to be related.
-
Steph, we must be related through an uncle of John George because, as I understand it, he had no children. We also have a relation who owned property that was donated to the City of Philadelphia and is now part of Fairmount Park. No children to inherit there either. I get the distinct impression that our family (or that branch) was rather wealthy back in the 1800's.
-
I am a quaker, but no relation to the George family.. My family was from upstate NY on my fathers side and arrived here almost entirely in the early 1600's.. Dutch and German.. hard headed traders for the most part.
-
Tomereader - thanks for the poem. I have a quilt my mother made from "scrapes". She was a sewer, made many of my clothes as a child and this quilt has pieces of leftover material. I can pick out a shirt, a housecoat, a pair of shorts etc. So the poem rings so true of the women using whatever scrapes they can put together, wasting nothing.
Jean
-
I have a quilt made from scraps of dresses I wore as a child.
My dil has made quilts for her three children using tee shirts from their various activities. She appliqued the front of each shirt onto a quilt square.
Steph, I have Quaker ancestors and found a lot of genealogical information in The U.S., Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol I–VI, 1607–1943. One line traces back to the Coffins on Nantucket.
It was a big thrill to stand on the original section of the Quaker Meeting House in Martinsville, Indiana to which my great great grandparents belonged in the 1820's. I have a picture of that gg grandmother in her Quaker bonnet.
-
Sorry I was ambiguous, Steph. I meant my family, not you.
My family had a lot of Unitarian ministers in the family way back. JG was convinced to donate to establishing the school named after him shortly before his death. I don't know if he was Quaker himself.
On another branch of our family, the last person (actually one of two, as I recall) burned at the stake in England was Edward Wightman. Some of the Wightman branch migrated out to Michigan. We had some Fitzwilliams in the family round about the time of Bonny Prince Charlie's fight to become King of Scotland. There was a General Fitzwilliams opposing him for the English. I have not yet established whether or not the General himself was a distant relative or not.
My sister and I are mildly interested in the family history, but not to the point that we want to spend tons of time (and money) investigating. My uncle was the genealogy buff.
-
I spent a lot of years on genealogy. Since the web has grown so much, it is not as much fun. The fun used to be in libraries and other depositories seeing the original documents and going to little town and looking for where the ancestor lived or the cemetary.. In person was wonderful.
My home meeting house is in Camden, Delaware, is very old, brick and so very peaceful. Just a small building, seating around the floor and an open area to get up and tell the world what and how you felt.. The calm in the building is remarkable. I think it is all those years of people sincerely searching themselves for the inner light.
-
Sounds nice, Steph.
-
It is and in this hectic world, I do miss it, but life is life and I live far far away.
This is the complicated week. Everyone is having a variety of luncheons, pot lucks, cookie exchanges, etc. Sigh..Also have a granddaughter arriving Tuesday afternoon for the evening and then going on on Wednesday.. But I will survive. I am determined to not let myself fall into the black pit of pity this year.
-
Once again, looking for something else, I ran across this website of all things Dickens.
http://charlesdickenspage.com/index.html
-
I did finish The Nightingale just before Christmas and loved it.. What a lovely novel. Anyone who has not read it, may enjoy France in the war.
-
i loved David Liss's Whisky Rebels. His The Coffee Traders was a DNF for me - just couldn't get interested in it. I put his The Devil's Company on my TBR list. Thanks to whoever recommended it.
Marj
-
A friend, of a friend has recommended the works of Susan Macneal, featuring Maggie Hope. I think these are mostly mysteries, i.e. "Mr. Churchill's Secretary". Has anyone read them, and would they be Book Club material?
Thanks! And HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!
-
I have several of the books featuring Maggie. Have not started any, but do have them. I got a David Liss, but i t was about an assassin and horrid.. so dnf... wanted a history, will try again.
-
I am reading The Little Paris Bookshop. So far, I like it.
-
Got Circling \The Sun for Christmas and am loving it, but then I am a Beryl Markham fan from way back. Will never forget the interview in her extreme old age and the lively woman.. Wow.. to be that way.
-
I had a free copy of Circling the Sun this summer, tried to read it but just couldn't get into it. I passed it on to a friend who absolutely loved it. Perhaps I wasn't in the mood?
-
I have always been fascinated by Africa of that period.. Elsbeth Huxley,, Karen Blixson, Happy Valley in Kenya.. The brits ruled the world and really thought that Africa would stay forever theirs. Interesting period for me.
-
I just finished Georgette Heyer's The Black Moth. It was her first published novel way back in 1921 (I think). The setting was around the mid-1700's. The descriptions of the powder wigs, the clothing (the men's clothing was more detailed for some reason), the constant gaming activities, and the spoiled aristocrats made for an fun read. The primary character is the exiled son of an Earl. He turned to being a highwayman. The reason for the exile? He was covering for his brother who cheated at cards, an offense that would have meant he would not have been able to marry the girl he loved had it been known. The girl had several brothers, one of which is quite arrogant and rather nasty. Eventually, the Earl dies leaving the exiled son the title, etc. So the highwayman Earl, still covering for his brother, falls for a girl who is lusted after by the dastardly brother of his SIL and refuses to expose his brother for a cheat and claim his title. Everything gets sorted in the end. What a fun read. It kind of reminds me of a Jane Austen novel.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
The Little Paris Bookshiop is a great story. The epilogue was kind of unecessary, IMO. The book ended with some recipes and a booklist to read for different maladies. Enjoy the barge ride through the French countryside. Meet new people, come out of your shell, dare to make a change, dare to live again, learn to greive and move on with your life. That is what the protagonist of the story embarks upon. Worth reading.
-
Sounds good - I've got it on my coffee table pile however, I've a couple of others I want to read first - I've been so taken with The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon - one of these how to feel good and get your life at work back on track - thin book that is usually one of these super Christian takes - well this one is really different - only a paragraph or two about God but what has stuck is it has a neat storyline - not preachy but it was like a 'what is next' story - and then the principles that are the key according to the author all were attached to a great everyday life problem - in fact I have been reading the last part several times I've been so taken with the concept, the message and the story.
Two others on my coffee table pile - The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy: A Novel - it is the sequel or maybe pre what would you call it - but remember we read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry well he was walking to visit Queenie who had died before he got there and this is the story of Queenie when she and Harold worked together.
And then I love Irish authors - their way with language just hits me the right way - she is one of the prize winning authors from Ireland who writes mostly about families where there is an issue with one or more of the brothers or sisters - this one has to do with the death of the mother and dividing her things - again, have not started it yet - All these books that I am so excited about I wish I could hole up and just read and read for a week with nothing on my plate - anyhow the book is The Green Road: A Novel by Anne Enright
-
Barb, we are having quite a lot about Ireland on TV, at the cinema, etc just now as it is the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising. Our local independent cinema is showing Michael Collins and I think i will try to see that.
My favourite Irish writer is one of my (sort of) 'guilty secrets', Maeve Binchy. I enjoy her sagas but I know they're not to everyone's tastes - my own Irish friend can't bear them. Cathy Kelly is another, more recent, Irish romance writer - again, certainly not works of Great Literature, but easy reads and enjoyable if you're in the mood.
I've also read some Molly Keane (quite different of course); tales of old Anglo-Irish families in the days when they ruled the country.
Rosemary
-
Oh yes, Rosemary.. Maeve is a hidden treasure of mine. Loved most of her stuff, except the one about the woman who disappeared into the local lake.. and reappeared when her children were grown..
-
As I may have mentioned before (having an "Intellectual Interlude" about previous posts!), I am now reading e-books on loan from the OKC Metro Library. Recently, I decided to start a data base of titles/authors I've read since I began doing this about a year and a half ago. I now have more than 180 books listed individually and several "series" (such as The Clifton Chronicles) that I grouped together!
I've just finished "The Summer Before The War" by Helen Simonson and enjoyed it very much.
Currently available on my reading list are "Roses" (rereading after finishing the prequel "Somerset") and "Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante" (a "Maggie Hope" novel by Susan Elia MacNeal that I suppose could be called "suspense"). I switch back and forth and am enjoying both.
I love Maeve Binchy and think I've read every one of her novels (except the one you mentioned Steph - what's the title?) - as well as her memoir "Maeve's Times".
-
Maeve wrote one story and I do wish I could remember the title. The woman disappeared in a boat and was presumed dead for many years.When her children were grown, it was then discovered she had left to find her own life, etc. I really hated it and could not believe it was written by Maeve who writes lovely irish stories.
-
I picked up the book The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd, at my library today. So many members said they liked it, so I thought I would give it a try. The lady working at the book sale saw it and told me she absolutely loved it.
Frybabe, I also had them hunt for The Little Paris Bookshop. She said my library should have it in a couple of days.
-
Callie, what are the Clifton Chronicles?
Yes, bellemarie, you will probably love The Invention of Wings.
Jean
-
I've only posted once a couple of years ago, but I thought since not many people are posting now I'd mention some books I've enjoyed lately which some of you might enjoy also.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman was written by a Swede with the half-smile humor I've run into before with Swedish authors.
A Strangeness in my Mind by Orhan Pamuk. Pamuk is not for everyone, but I've read most of his books, and I think I've learned a little about the Turkish culture. I wasn't too satisfied with the translation of the word "strangeness," but after reading the book I haven't been able to come up with a better word. After reading the book, I felt like I'd traveled to Istanbul and learned a little more about the culture.
Finally, The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende. This isn't great literature, but it is set in Senior Housing in San Francisco, and was a fun read. I'm 77 and live in an independent living sort of arrangement, so it attracted my interest.
I have read this discussion group since you were in Senior Net and enjoyed many books your members have mentioned. I'm not really into discussions, but I hope you will continue to mention what you're reading. I appreciate it (as I am sure other lurkers do as well).
-
evergreen, How thoughtful of you to let us know what you're reading and providing us with interesting descriptions of why you've enjoyed those books. I'm glad that you posted and hope you won't wait very long before you post again!
-
Evergreen, your reading list sounds interesting. I'll look for The Japanese Lover. A fun read sounds good.
-
Evergreen, I too enjoyed A Man Called Ove. The author has another book that sounds interesting, My Grandmother Asked me to Tell you She's Sorry. Have you read that?
-
I am about halfway through The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd, and am just astounded at how at such a young age Sarah Grimke and her little sister Nina (Angelina) were able to instinctively know that slavery is wrong. This is a fiction story based on true life people, Sarah Moore Grimké who was an American abolitionist, writer, and member of the women's suffrage movement, and sister who was 13 years younger than her. The sisters continued to live together, fighting for the rights of women, until Sarah's death in 1873. These were women before the times.
And most aren't aware that slavery in this country didn't officially end until Dec. 6, 1865, the day the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified. It didn't end on Jan. 1, 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation.
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/slavery-and-anti-slavery/essays/angelina-and-sarah-grimke-abolitionist-sisters
I've really never read any books I can think of on this topic before. This would make a good book discussion in the future.
-
nlhome, I haven't read My Grandmother Asked Me ....It's definitely going on my TBR list. The 'ole TBR list is getting pretty high. :)
-
I'm about one-third of the way into the new Julian Barnes novel The Noise Of Time. It's a keeper. Such a wonderful writer.
-
Finished The Noise Of Time. Artist vs. Power. Saw an interview with Mr. Barnes on Charlie Rose in which the author said it was his attempt to rehabilitate the memory of Shostakovich. Fascinating story. Irony just smacks this reader in the face. One of my favorite books so far this year.
-
We have a Shostakovich fan here; PatH, I think.
-
Shostakovich fan reporting for duty: I don't think Shostakovich's memory needs "rehabilitating", but it's certainly a fertile field for examining. Scholars argue a lot back and forth over the details and amount of his repression by Stalin, who was no music lover, and how much S caved in to it, but it was a big factor in his life, and makes a very good story indeed.
My main interest is in his music, and you can certainly see the different moods playing out there. I do think that he is one of the modern composers whose work will survive for a long time.
-
I picked up a freebie Historical Fiction and am now about half way through. The only reason I can see that I am continuing is to see how (or why) one of the main characters died in disgrace.
Regarding Tiberius by by Helena Mithridates Kleopatra and Bartholomew Boge. The author claims this book is written using sketchy and fragmented historical data, some actually written by HMK. I hope the author has listed some sources at the end of the book because a cursory Google search indicates several things. The first is that there was a Cleopatra the Younger (from Mithridates sixth wife), although no info about her was given. While some survived because they were elsewhere or not immediate family, those captured with the king were executed. I assume, unless I find otherwise, that Cleo the Younger was among them.Second, Metellus Scipio did have a son, but he appears to have died at around age 18 (of what I don't know yet). He may or may not have had another son, or have adopted one, but that is also unverified. The book is wrapped around several people who may or may not have survived, let alone meet. Being fiction, is can go along with the premise for the story's sake that they did survive and did meet. But....
Right off the batt the book annoyed in several ways. How a lowly soldier could persuade his superiors not to crucify the daughter of Mithridates VI along with the rest of the royal family is beyond me since the Romans were hell-bent on destroying the whole bloodline and not executing Cleo as well went against direct orders. Also, the story is being told in a long journal written to her father-in-law of her life before Tiberius, the history of their life together, and how and why he met his end. It was written while she prepared his body for mummification (which takes more than a month) for shipment back to Rome. I don't really think anyone would include in such a detailed account her efforts to avenge her family's death, unbeknownst to Tiberius, and other secretive and intimate details. How does that help in her efforts to gain support for her and her child with an admission that she hated the Romans for killing her family (and one in particular), sought vengeance, and still carried a bloodline that the Roman authorities wanted extinct? I'd say there are some gaps in plausibility in this book that I am trying to overlook.
One thing I did verify, and did not know, is that Strabo was related to the Mithridates clan on his mother's side.
-
Oh, here is another puzzler about Regarding Tiberius. This part of the Amazon blurb about the book
Regarding Tiberius is the novelization of a series of ancient scrolls recently discovered in the ruins of famed Roman commander Scipio Africanus' seaside villa (near Naples, Italy). Written in the First Century by a young woman of Persian and Ethiopian ancestry, Helena Mithridates Kleopatra, they comprise an account of how her life and destiny were forever altered by her chance meeting with Tiberius, the son of a prominent Roman senator.
The book is not set in Africanus' time, but in Metellus Scipio's time; Pontius Pilate features in the book. So, did his decendent, Metellus, also reside at the villa at some point? Must have, if the papers were supposedly written in the 1st century. Pointing Africanus out is somewhat deceptive, then. Does this account actually exist or is it another bit of marketing? More digging to follow.
BTW, I think this book feels like a Greek Tragedy. I found Boge's blog and he says
he originally came up with the concept for a rock opera, but then it got "reborn" first as a stage play, then a screenplay, and finally a novel. Boge is a Christian singer/songwriter; this is his first novel. He does have a few references back in the Acknowlegement pages, but not many. May be worth a read (it is free on Kindle) if you like Historical Fiction/Christian Fiction (half way through, no Christians yet) of that era.
-
Just finished reading The Summer Before The War Helen Simonson's second book. Lovely writing. Enjoyed the book very much. If I remember correctly, it was mentioned in Senior Learn, but I can't remember by whom. Next up, something by Preston & Childs.
-
I've finishedBarkskins, a new novel by Annie Proulx, in which she traces two families from the 1600's to modern times and the impact the colonial settlers had on the indigenous tribes in northeast Canada and the US. The book is long and slow at times. But let's face it: some generations are just more interesting than others.
I enjoyed her book The Shipping News and am of the opinion Barkskins is quite an achievement for the 80 year old author.
-
I probably should note for the record that I began Crimson Shore by Preston and Child. When the authors introduced a monster with a tail who eviscerated some of the town people I stopped reading. This clearly was not their series with the hero Gideon Crew. I'm still laughing about it!
-
I'm reading a really good Dorothea Benton Frank book Plantation. Is it redundant to say "really good.....Frank book?" I think i've liked everyone I've read. Of course it is set in the Carolinas, but the protagonist is living in NYC and has been for many yrs. She, of course, has to go back home when her brother insists their mother is losing her senses and should be moved out of the Plantation and into a senior community and she, of course, finds that home has a stronger pull on her than she had imagined.
Frank writes the mother character with humor and a broader lifestyle then older people are generally given in fiction stories. She's a real delight, if at times stuck in "tradition" and other times breaking the rules. Does that sound like someone you know?
Jean
-
Greetings,
I am another reader, similar to Evergreen, who has found this site a source of good suggestions for reading pleasure.
The first time I came here I learned about Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. I've recommended that charming story to others. I'm presently awaiting the concluding? publication of The Clifton Chronicles. And will definitely look for the book beginning/continuing Harold Fry's adventure. British authors are some of my favorites.
Alice Hoffman's book Here on Earth was a page turner while her other books that I've tried and not finished, were either (for me) too fantastical or brutal. Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger is a thumbs up book.
I don't visit here often, but when I need a suggestion I might stop by again. Thank you, all!
-
Hi Phillyfilly. I take it from your moniker, that you are just down the pike from me by about an hour and a half. My Dad was born and raised in Philadelphia.
-
evergreen, Glad to hear you enjoyed The Summer Before The War, that was the next book on my to be purchased list when I visit Barnes and Noble.
I am reading a new author Erika Marks' book Little Gale Gumbo. It takes place on Little Gale Island off the coast of Maine. Just started it and am already excited to see what happens.
-
Hi Phillyfilly. I'm on your eastern flank in the New Jersey suburbs. Welcome.
Jean
-
Welcome Phillyfilly! Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, is one of my favorite books. I just loved it!! I just finished the book I mentioned Little Gale Gumbo and would highly recommend it. A Creole mother and two bi-racial daughters begin a new life in a small island town off of the coast of Maine. A bit mystery, but mostly the dynamics of these three females are exceptional. I didn't want it to end.
-
Hello, Phillyfilly. Welcome!
-
Welcome Phillyfilly - sounds like you have a good list of books to enjoy - just the time of year with nights growing colder and shorter - glad you are posting with us...
-
Welcome, Phillyfilly! Always nice to see a new face! I plan to make a list of your and Bella's book suggestions.
I just finished a new author book that was so unusual and funny and just a good fun read that I couldn't put it down. 353 pages if pure enjoyment. Entitiled "The Trouble with Goats and Sheep" by Joanna Cannnon, its being compared to "The Curious Incident if the Dog in the Night-Time" by Marc Haddon and Donna Tart's "The Secret History set in the 1970's English suburbia". I too love English authors. Another author mentioned is James Hannah who wrote "The A to Z if You and Me" which sounds worth looking for at my library.
-
Thank you all for your kind welcome.
I’ve finished several books this summer and my favorite was “A Long Long Time Ago and Essentially True” by Brigid Pasuelka. The title is a clue to how the book is written. The Long Long Time…..refers to Poland before the WWII and Essentially True refers to the years following the war. The chapters go back and forth between eras. It’s a beautifully woven/written story.
Now that school is back in session I’ve “hit the books” ;). I’m listening to “The Art of Reading” published/produced by The Teaching Company when I drive. Lectures are about 30 minutes each. If there is anyone who hasn’t discovered The Great Courses recorded university lectures, look for them in your public library. The series I have now is “The Art of Reading.” Other topics available are Music, Art, Literature, History, Science, Religion, Philosophy and several others.
- Always a Philly gal even though presently residing in California.
-
I've just finished Traveling With Pomegrantes by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd, a mother/dgt duo. Not fiction but a sort of memoir of about two years of their lives when both decided they were real writers. Sue went on from her agony over turning 50 and having menopause to writing The Secret Life of Beesand Ann came out of a depression after having been rejected from her first choice for grad school.
I read it as part of a mother/dgt book group, which made the discussion quite interesting.
Being 75 made me shake my head at some of Sue's navel gazing about menopause. She literally says her creative days are over because her womb is dead! Lordy, lordy, lordy. (Spoiler alert) Ann discovers that she didn't really want to end up teaching Greek history and two yrs after her rejection from a grad program to do that she decided that she really did want to enter the "family business" of writing instead.
It did pose some interesting questions in my head and made me think about my life. It was like reading an anthropological case study for me. I decided that I had little understanding of their behaviors because I would never say, do , or make the decisions that they made - kind of like when I sometimes stop in my travel up the cable channels to look for a bit at The Kardashians! :)
Not that either the Kidds or I are wrong at how we handle life, it's just different. Their thinking and behaviors allow them to write stories. I can't do that. I do other things with my behaviors.
If you have traveled to Greece or France, are familiar with Greek myths - Sue writes a lot about Demeter and Persephone, mother and dgt - or are strongly spiritual, or "see" visions of what you should do in nature around you, or from your dreams, you may enjoy this book. ....... Sue determined to write The Secret Life of Bees when a bee landed on her shoulder.
It WAS a very interesting duscussion with 4 40-something young women and 4 70-somthing older women. How none of us older women "feel" what we have perceived 70 to be. How one young woman was very upset that at 40 she may not have more children, she has a set of 4 yr old twins. I encouraged her by telling her my mother was 42 when I was born. :)
Have any of you read it?
Jean
-
No but I did see one of these TED things that finally gave me an answer - all this about go with your passion and only do what you feel passion for - la la la - spent the better part of two years trying to figure out what my passions are since I really need to change what I am doing - no longer have the stamina required and the business has changed so much it is no longer friendly but adversarial. Anyhow this TED talk nailed it for me - saying, you are passionate when you are good enough at something that you can enjoy it and want to get better at it or share it - and the only way you get good enough at anything is by doing it over and over again.
Well that hit home - I remember as a young homemaker being outraged because I had no clue how to make our home as I pictured it and thought schools were unfair teaching us, boys and girls the same with no consideration for the fact we would be on very different career paths only then homemaking was not considered a career even to me but simply what you did. This is 1952 folks - nope not a career - anyhow everyday I worked at cleaning and laundry and and and reading every home magazine for tips till after a few years of taking such pride in my accomplishments and having two babies in less than a year I did feel passionate about cleaning and cooking and gardening - laundry now was not high on the list but I did enjoy hanging out the wash and smoothing it as I took it down - so the idea of doing first and worry about passion later made perfect sense.
Now the problem is there are no expectations for us as elders except to be not seen and not heard - hmm at least as a young homemaker the work was socially expected - so that is the current state of affairs - we have no expectations to shoot for except what our body will allow us to do... hmm... mixed blessing...
-
Mabel and Barb, your comments really resonated with me.
My children are in their early - mid 50's. Sometimes, I think if I hear one more comment about "boring jobs", health issues due to aging (theirs - not mine!), etc. etc., I'll be like Miss Daisy and "may spit up"!!!!
Barb, I married in 1958 and it was o.k. for wives to work - as long as it wasn't a CAREER. What exasperated me was the expectation that "my husband thinks, my husband says, my husband does...."; therefore, " I think, I say, I do...."
I suspect it was a shock for my husband to discover that he hadn't married a sweet, compliant, "little woman" - but he did well with it.
I was suddenly and unexpectedly widowed when my husband was 59. Not only had he never mentioned retirement, he refused to discuss it and was very critical of our friends who had begun to travel, spend time at the lake or in the mountains, etc.. I had so many ideas and he was wishing things could "be like they used to be".
It was about two years before I was able to begin thinking "I" and "me" instead of "us" and "we". When I could do so I discovered many opportunities to pursue activities I was interested in or curious about.
I'll be 81 in December and have had to give up activities that require standing or walking (which, of course, puts me out of "sync" with current expectations and is beginning to severely limit my going to quite a few venues!!).
The thing that exasperates me at this age/stage is being treated as if, since I can't do everything....I can't do anything. Bah! Humbug!
-
Ha it really is funny - as if we were new shiny vehicles when our formal education ended and the world was open but within the limits of what society accepts and expects with the 'owners' of jobs and money calling the shots - so you get in line and stay on the line - as the line comes to an end they say OK off the line - go away - that old rubbish heap is a perfect place for you to park the rest of your life - and so, now that we have all the freedom not to walk the line or to even avoid parking at the rubbish heap, the body that was a shiny vehicle is dented and some parts act up and some parts do not work - so whatever you do you only have what little is left that we did not squeeze out when you were walking the line.
I think that is why I am so looking forward to our reading and discussing Two Old Women by Velma Wallis. Should be a fun discussion - they were sure facing what we have been chatting about... I understand we are going to discuss it in November since it is a short read that can be read in one sitting.
-
Callie - when I first married, which was in 1991, 'oil wives' as we were often known, were still expected to hang out in groups where we discussed what our husbands did, thought or said. I understand from some friends that if you had the misfortune to have to live abroad for one of the major oil companies, the whole thing was much worse - endless rounds of pool parties, no possibility of having your own job, your whole time taken up with sorting out your children's schools or meeting up with other oil wives, amongst whom there was a strict hierarchy, with the top boss's wife being the one who called the shots. All that mattered was your husband's status within BP, Shell or whichever company it was.
I have never thought as 'we' instead of 'I' - maybe because my mother was widowed very young, so she always thought as 'I' throughout my childhood. Nowadays I have my own independent life and could not give that up - it's really important to me to have my own friends, my own job and my own interests. You are so right, the world is full of opportunities.
As for being 'written off' - during our recent EU membership referendum, my mother was a lone voice among her acquaintances in deciding to vote 'remain'. A member of her sewing group - who is the same age as she is - actually told her that she was 'only saying that because Rosemary (ie me) has told you to'!!!! My mother may be 89 but she can still think for herself!
As I've mentioned in 'The Library', I've just seen a programme about the children's author and illustrator Shirley Hughes, who at 89 still lives alone in London and is still writing her wonderful books. Judith Kerr, another well known children's author, is of similar age and is also still working hard (and living alone). Ignore anyone who treats you like a has-been - it's their loss!
Rosemary
-
Rosemary Kaye, I would never ever ever have made it as a "corporate wife" - or, probably, a military one, either.
I come from a long line of independent women and had great examples set for learning to listen to other opinions (and respect them) but making up one's own mind for personal decisions.
I'm realizing that I simply cannot do the things I used to do and am enjoying the search for new challenges.
Onward and Upward!!!!
-
I am about a third of the way through Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz and enjoying it very much. I expect to continue on with the series.
The other book I have just started reading is called Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews. It is a spy thriller set in present day Moscow and looks promising. However, I just found out it is yet another first of trilogy series book. I thought it was going to be a stand alone. Oh well.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Ok, so now I am an Odd Thomas fan. I guess this series can be called supernatural suspense. Odd seems is bit odd if not "simple". On the other hand, he could be quite intelligent. Given his ability to see dead people and his family background, it appears to be more of a coping mechanism to keep himself sane and simplify his life. He is a short order cook who aspires to be, first a tire salesman, and then a shoe salesman, and who does not want to go anywhere outside of his town and immediate surrounds. I am definitely going to be reading more.
I just checked out the trailer for the 2013 movie (yes, there was a movie). Somehow, it does not do the book justice. The late Anton Yelchin (of the new Star Trek movie series) plays the starring role. The only other member of the cast whose name I recognize is Willem DeFoe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2txUlVsmnI
Just checked the book order and discovered an interview with USA Today in 2015. Saint Odd, published last year, is the last of the Odd Thomas series. http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2015/01/26/dean-koontz-interview-odd-thomas-saint-odd-live-chat/22352679/
-
Loved "The Last Runaway" by Tracy Chavalier. Our mother/dgt book group had a good time discussing it. If your book group is searching for a book that will create a good discussion, I recommend it. It is not just about the Quakers who helped runaway slaves, which was my expectation, but so much more. If fact "the last runaway" is not a runaway slave. I won't spoil it by saying any more.
Jean
-
I'm reading, with all my might, "The Death of Ivan Ilych." It's difficult in places, but not boring. Also wanted to read "Doctor Zhivago" and/or do a reread of The Brothers Karamazov. Thank goodness, "The Death of Ivan Ilych" is a small book. I guess it's a novella? It's enough to get my feet wet. I like Ivan. I suppose his age speaks to me.
-
Hi, hats, it's good to see you, it's been a while. The Death of Ivan Ilych is one of those books I've been meaning to read for a long time.
-
Hi Pat H,
I would love to read your comments.
-
Hats,is that really you?? Welcome home to SL. Hope you will rejoin us in the Library again and of course, our annual Chrismas Holiday celebration. Ginny has all working hard on a list of holiday fun plus she has now added a short book for us to read and discuss , too!!! This whole plan is part of our 20th year of being on the internet celebration and has been so much fun. It is really nice seeing familiar faces of folks who been out of touch for one reason or another. Hope you continue to post along with the rest of us. Again, welcome home!😊💕
-
Adoannie, Glad to hear from you. :) Would like to wish Ginny and all of you Happy Holidays and good winter reading.
-
Hi, hats. How nice to hear from you. How are you getting along? How did you ever get on to this extraordinary story, by Leo Tolstoy? I've just finished reading it. What a beautiful, happy ending to the grim business of dying. Those last two hours must have been the happiest of his life.
-
Having a hard time keeping up with all your great books. My list is so long I will never get through all of them . I only read on my kindle. I am reading a jonathan Kellerman and I do love his books. I post very little butr I am in here everyday to see what you all are up to . Merry Christmas to all.
-
I picked up a freebie Historical Fiction and am now about half way through. The only reason I can see that I am continuing is to see how (or why) one of the main characters died in disgrace.
Regarding Tiberius by by Helena Mithridates Kleopatra and Bartholomew Boge. The author claims this book is written using sketchy and fragmented historical data, some actually written by HMK. I hope the author has listed some sources at the end of the book because a cursory Google search indicates several things. The first is that there was a Cleopatra the Younger (from Mithridates sixth wife), although no info about her was given. While some survived because they were elsewhere or not immediate family, those captured with the king were executed. I assume, unless I find otherwise, that Cleo the Younger was among them.Second, Metellus Scipio did have a son, but he appears to have died at around age 18 (of what I don't know yet). He may or may not have had another son, or have adopted one, but that is also unverified. The book is wrapped around several people who may or may not have survived, let alone meet. Being fiction, is can go along with the premise for the story's sake that they did survive and did meet. But....
Right off the batt the book annoyed in several ways. How a lowly soldier could persuade his superiors not to crucify the daughter of Mithridates VI along with the rest of the royal family is beyond me since the Romans were hell-bent on destroying the whole bloodline and not executing Cleo as well went against direct orders. Also, the story is being told in a long journal written to her father-in-law of her life before Tiberius, the history of their life together, and how and why he met his end. It was written while she prepared his body for mummification (which takes more than a month) for shipment back to Rome. I don't really think anyone would include in such a detailed account her efforts to avenge her family's death, unbeknownst to Tiberius, and other secretive and intimate details. How does that help in her efforts to gain support for her and her child with an admission that she hated the Romans for killing her family (and one in particular), sought vengeance, and still carried a bloodline that the Roman authorities wanted extinct? I'd say there are some gaps in plausibility in this book that I am trying to overlook.
One thing I did verify, and did not know, is that Strabo was related to the Mithridates clan on his mother's side.
Oh, here is another puzzler about Regarding Tiberius. This part of the Amazon blurb about the book
Regarding Tiberius is the novelization of a series of ancient scrolls recently discovered in the ruins of famed Roman commander Scipio Africanus' seaside villa (near Naples, Italy). Written in the First Century by a young woman of Persian and Ethiopian ancestry, Helena Mithridates Kleopatra, they comprise an account of how her life and destiny were forever altered by her chance meeting with Tiberius, the son of a prominent Roman senator.
The book is not set in Africanus' time, but in Metellus Scipio's time; Pontius Pilate features in the book. So, did his decendent, Metellus, also reside at the villa at some point? Must have, if the papers were supposedly written in the 1st century. Pointing Africanus out is somewhat deceptive, then. Does this account actually exist or is it another bit of marketing? More digging to follow.
BTW, I think this book feels like a Greek Tragedy. I found Boge's blog and he says
he originally came up with the concept for a rock opera, but then it got "reborn" first as a stage play, then a screenplay, and finally a novel. Boge is a Christian singer/songwriter; this is his first novel. He does have a few references back in the Acknowlegement pages, but not many. May be worth a read (it is free on Kindle) if you like Historical Fiction/Christian Fiction (half way through, no Christians yet) of that era.
Frybabe,
This is Bart Boge, author of Regarding Tiberius. I think it is safe to say that you have read my novel more closely than any other person I am aware of, and for that I am honored and grateful.
I hope you found that at least a few of the issues that initially caused you to lose the willing suspension of disbelief were explained as the story concluded. The agency of a lone centurion countermanding an execution order might be a stretch for those who understand Roman military discipline, but I do give a reason as to how Tiberius orchestrated the incident.
As far as Helena's level of detail is concerned, by the end I hope this made more sense as well. The book's initial thesis (Scroll I) was that her account was to be an apologetic defense of Tiberius, but as she wrote it the narrative took on a confessional tone, particularly at the end (for obvious reasons--avoiding spoilers).
The seaside villa was constructed by Scipio Africanus hundreds of years before my story's occupant, Senator Lucius Corneilius Scipio, took up residence in it. I made no attempt to flesh out the line of ownership succession from Africanus to Lucius, as it really wasn't crucial to my story.
Some of the "gaps of plausibility" you cite are indelible parts of Helena's conflicted character. In earlier versions of this tale, Tiberius was the focus of the narrative and Helena was a minor character. I soon discovered that once she entered any scene, Helena's character "stole" the stage from all others. Romantic love, maternal love, and honor-bound vengeance percolated in her soul in compelling ways. I had no choice but to make HER the subject of the tale rather than him, and the only way I could do that without changing the plot was to have Helena narrate. Once I made that leap, the entire tale improved dramatically.
I am VERY interested to read your reflections upon finishing the book (if you were able to). Did some of the issues that puzzled/irritated you improve in the light of new contexts, or did I still fail to get you to fully "buy-in" to the story upon its conclusion? My editor is currently putting together an accompanying study guide for use with reading clubs/small group use, and any additional comments, opinions, or constructive criticism you would be willing to offer would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you again for not giving up on the book when you first identified issues that gave you pause. I hope you were able to stomach the rest of the read in order to see the story through to the end. Your attending research has been enlightening to me.
In gratitude,
Bart Boge
P.S.: Odd coincidence: your original posts on this topic occurred on my 50th birthday, June 15, 2016.
-
I have a moment to offer a few more details:
1) The account is entirely fiction. During the writing process I considered going "all-in" with an external framing narrative involving an Iranian-born, Western-educated female archaeologist (Dr. Akhtar-Moore) recently discovering the cache of scrolls while excavating the ruins of Scipio Afrucanus' villa in Liternum (now Naples). I even contemplated adding fake documentary photos of Dr. Akhtar-Moore at the dig site and an exhibit at an antiquities museum in Naples. Perhaps in some future "deluxe" edition I'll add all that. As it was, this project had already mushroomed far beyond my original intentions for it.
2) I had no idea that Strabo was actually related to the House of Mithridates. As Helena is depicted as well-read and very intelligent, I needed a credible mentor character to guide Helena's education, and an aging Strabo fit the bill.
3) The Shakespearean influences are intentional. Nikophoros' ill-considered insurrection at the prompting of Kassandra was a nod to Macbeth. After the sacking of Eupatoria, the rest of the story is reminiscent of Hamlet, for reasons that should be obvious (again, trying not to lob too many spoilers).
4) An interesting and quite unintentional theme, brought to my attention by an editor, is the difference between the male and female characters. In Regarding Tiberius, male characters can be cunning and brave (to the point of being foolhardy), but are also a bit bumbing when compared to the women in the book, who are depicted as shrewd, calculating, and even a bit "icy." The editor who mentioned that considered it more a virtue than a flaw. In retrospect, I have to agree, but this was completely unintended--I just wanted strong female characters that would still have plausible agency in the 1st Century Roman Asia Minor setting.
Bart
-
Oh, my! Welcome, Bart.
Thank you so much for taking the time to post your comments and updates. I will be leaving soon for my weekly volunteer stint at the local library, but I'll be back this afternoon.
In the meantime, yes I did finish the book. The story line is very compelling. Of course, it left we with the "what happens next" question regarding the fate of Helena and son.
Also, my sister and I are wondering if you are familiar with Sight and Sound in Lancaster, Pa. They are known here for their biblical play productions. My sister is a big musical play fan, me, not so much.
-
...yes I did finish the book. The story line is very compelling. Of course, it left we with the "what happens next" question regarding the fate of Helena and son.
Funny you should say that: my youngest sister said something similar when she read it. "Why didn't you finish it? I want to know what happens when she shows up at the senator's villa!"
To tell you the truth, *I* WANT to know what happens! Does he backhand her? Stab her with a pugio? Slam the door in her face? Or embrace her in tears?
At this point, I honestly have no idea.
That said, I am about six chapters into the sequel. I've set up an invitation-only private FaceBook group where I post rough drafts of each chapter as I write them. It's only 15 or so people, but it's a nice way to get immediate feedback from an audience to make sure they're still enticed by the story. I won't give away too much here, but you might be interested to know that Helena is still writing the senator--not as his former would-be daughter-in-law, but as the recently coronated Queen of Eupatoria.
"How can this be?" you say. "Eupatoria was utterly destroyed! Not one brick laid upon another, with the main fortress walls ground to rubble!"
You would be right. Nevertheless, she DOES, in fact, take the throne to rule Eupatoria, just as she had been raised from childhood to do. A real, bona fide kingdom with a multitude of living, loyal subjects. Curious? :)
Also, my sister and I are wondering if you are familiar with Sight and Sound in Lancaster, Pa. They are known here for their biblical play productions. My sister is a big musical play fan, me, not so much.
I haven't heard of the group, but maybe I can look into it when I get closer to finishing up the music.
Bart
-
Bart, once I settled into Regarding Tiberius a bit and got over my attack of attitude, I had trouble putting it down. I am very happy to hear that you have started a sequel.
The seaside villa was constructed by Scipio Africanus hundreds of years before my story's occupant, Senator Lucius Corneilius Scipio, took up residence in it. I made no attempt to flesh out the line of ownership succession from Africanus to Lucius, as it really wasn't crucial to my story.
One of my favorite interests is Roman history, but I know very little about the Eastern campaigns. That you got me interested in looking things up about the people and geography of the area speaks well for the book. One of my biggest surprises was that the Romans were fighting a Mithridates. I always equated the name to an earlier time in history for some reason. Of course, I just had to find some maps to locate Eupatoria and to follow the troops as they made their way down to Judea; it's another one of my favorite things to do when reading.
Here is the main website for Sight and Sound. http://www.sight-sound.com/WebSite/home.do# They have two theaters, one in Branson, MO and one in Lancaster, PA. For those interested in biblical shows, my sister has been to several and says they are spectacular.
-
Bart, once I settled into Regarding Tiberius a bit and got over my attack of attitude, I had trouble putting it down.
I am relieved to hear that!
One of my favorite interests is Roman history, but I know very little about the Eastern campaigns. That you got me interested in looking things up about the people and geography of the area speaks well for the book...Of course, I just had to find some maps to locate Eupatoria and to follow the troops as they made their way down to Judea; it's another one of my favorite things to do when reading.
I have maps of all the travel routes from the novel. I can send you a .pdf if you are interested.
Here is the main website for Sight and Sound. http://www.sight-sound.com/WebSite/home.do# They have two theaters, one in Branson, MO and one in Lancaster, PA. For those interested in biblical shows, my sister has been to several and says they are spectacular.
I'll check it out!
-
Bart, of course I am interested in the maps. You can send them to galaxyrover@comcast.net I print often them out and put them with the books I read.
Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year.
-
Bart, of course I am interested in the maps. You can send them to galaxyrover@comcast.net I print often them out and put them with the books I read.
Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year.
Check your email. Open up the .pdf and confirm that you can open and read the maps? Thanks!
-
Got them, Bart. Thank you so much.
I spent part of the day nosing around the net and reading about Antioch and Pergamum.
A little while ago, it dawned on me that I haven't been keeping up with the research on the scrolls found in Herculaneum. This is getting close to a year old, but I missed it. They discovered that the Romans were using metallic inks, pushing the date of use back several hundred years earlier than thought. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/mar/21/herculaneum-scrolls-buried-by-vesuvius-yield-another-secret-metallic-ink My interest in books, printing and fonts comes partly from working in prepress for almost 20years before I was laid off during the last recession. I am going to post this article to the Classics Forum, too, for others who may have missed it.
-
Got them, Bart. Thank you so much.
I spent part of the day nosing around the net and reading about Antioch and Pergamum.
A little while ago, it dawned on me that I haven't been keeping up with the research on the scrolls found in Herculaneum. This is getting close to a year old, but I missed it. They discovered that the Romans were using metallic inks, pushing the date of use back several hundred years earlier than thought. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/mar/21/herculaneum-scrolls-buried-by-vesuvius-yield-another-secret-metallic-ink My interest in books, printing and fonts comes partly from working in prepress for almost 20years before I was laid off during the last recession. I am going to post this article to the Classics Forum, too, for others who may have missed it.
FWIW, the woman who served as a copy editor/proofreader (whom I subsequently married) has been to Greece, Rome and Turkey on multiple occasions to visit sites dating back to classical antiquity. She told me that she's been on the shore of the Tyrrhenian Sea (near Pompeii and Herculaneum) during a calm, windless downpour--exactly like the opening sequence of RT.
"So when were you there?" she said.
"Never. I just envisioned what it might look like."
This intrigued her.
A few months later she moved 1,100 miles north, from the coast of NC to the "frozen tundra" of Northeast WI, to begin a new life with me. Funny how things work out. Some hard luck, then, at age 50, BAM--my dream girl suddenly materializes right before my eyes.
The scrolls you are referring to--are those the recently-discovered "charred" ones that are being "virtually" unravelled by high-tech scanning equipment? I seem to remember reading about those a while back.
Oh, one more thing: I'm curious to know whether or not my maps match yours with regard to the travels of Helena, Tiberius, Hypsicratea(tes), the Third Gallic Legion, or the ill-fated Roman galleons that set sail from Alexandria. Were we on the same page?
-
Good morning Bart,
Rats! I hate when that happens. I lost the post I was working on. So I'll try to remember what I was saying.
Funny how things turn out. Life is always full of surprises. I wish you both much happiness.
Yes, those are the scrolls. Once, they get enough translated, I hope the researchers are able to publish them.
I can't answer your question about the maps, directly, because in this case, I didn't print any out. I do remember having trouble narrowing down the site of Eupatoria. I wanted to get a feel for the terrain along the coast south of Antioch, where, if I remember correctly, there was a battle. Also, I tried to follow Helena's flight to the coast. I did not follow the fleet.
Time for me to get going with my errands for the day. First order of business is to go check on and feed my best friend's cats while he is away.
-
Bart, once I settled into Regarding Tiberius a bit and got over my attack of attitude, I had trouble putting it down.
Frybabe,
Would you be willing to offer an Amazon review (https://www.amazon.com/Regarding-Tiberius-Vengeance-Forbidden-Ambition-ebook/dp/B018PFITD6/ref=pd_rhf_yaod_p_img_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=FW3KRJTXF730K5C7VRE1#customerReviews) of your reflections? :D
Bart
-
Happy New Year everyone. I am seeing a potential problem in fiction old and new.
What say you?
-
;) :D :-X Happy New Year to you Judy and everyone - looking forward to 2017 - I could be reaching but nothing could be as bad as 2016 - regardless I am determined to make 2017 a good year if I have to shut the TV off completely.
-
Reminding Everyone - We open the pre-discussion to Cranford this week.
(http://68.media.tumblr.com/2e8c6380099ff2df5925ae3d967ffaeb/tumblr_oj03e15rXk1ro4v2no1_540.gif)
We are trying something new by way of an introduction to our discussion leader for Cranford, Karen.
So let's have some fun learning a bit more about Karen and her love of Victorian Literature.
Barb: Karen how did you become interested in Victorian Literature?
Karen: My mother joined a book club for me when I was eleven years old and each month a new book came for me. I fell in love with Victorian novels through that book club: Black Beauty, Little Lord Fauntleroy, Around the World in 80 Days, Alice in Wonderland, and Little Women.
I loved stories about the rich and the poor, about the "olden days" and about overcoming problems. I also, in those days, loved adventure stories and strange characters. I also loved fairy tales with the lords and the castles, the princesses, and even the wicked witches.
My first assignment in high school was to complete David Copperfield during the first quarter. That was my formal introduction to the Victorian novel. In spite of its being the longest novel I had ever read, I loved it and went on to read poems, essays, and novels from that age as part of my formal education. My love for literature from this period kept growing.
Barb: Looks like you were drawn to the Victorian Period - did you continue this love with scholastic study?
Karen: I taught world history to 9th and 10th graders and had to do much preparation because my undergraduate work had been mostly in speech and English. At the same time the National Endowment for the Humanities offered a summer program in teaching the humanities using an integrated approach:with history as a base, bringing in the literature, art, and the music from the time period.
I went on to be accepted into two NEH six-week workshops: one was on Chaucer and the Medieval World and the second was at Oberlin College and was on 19th century women writers. I developed a medieval unit and a 19th century British history unit, incorporating literature art and music from both the romantic and the Victorian age.
Barb: Ah - So both the Romantic and the Victorian period was on your radar?
Karen: Yes, and at this same time I started a Master of Liberal Studies degree with a focus in Victorian Literature. I actually wanted to design a Victorian Studies elective for my high school students. I took courses in the essay, poetry, and the novel and completed the coursework I needed. However, as school reform kicked into high gear, electives were no longer part of the curriculum, so I never had a chance to put my plan into action. But my interest and love for the time period and the novels from the period led me to agree to lead a discussion here on Cranford as an excellent example of a Victorian novel.
Barb: How special for us. Of course there is an entire discussion in itself about the wisdom of eliminating electives however, we are going to really benefit from your love and study of Victorian Literature. What would you say is special about the Victorian period? Give us a glimpse into the life lived during this time in history.
Karen: The Victorian Age in both history and literature refers to the time that Victoria ruled 1837-1901. In literature it was preceded by romanticism and followed by realism and modernism.
Historically it was a time of peace and prosperity for the upper and middle classes. The population of England doubled during this period and improvements in transportation opened up the rural areas to the urban dwellers. The industrial workers in the cities, in contrast, lived in squalor and poverty. Frequently the whole family had to work with the smallest children chained to the weaving machines pick up bobbins that fell underneath.
During the age, improvements in sanitary conditions, medical treatment, and the coming of electric power and lights improved the quality of life in the cities, but poor houses and orphanages abounded.
Barb: Wow! Although typical of Victorian life, the hardships of so many sound like realism enough doesn't it - Like all difficult life situations, authors can find the goodness beneath the rough veneer. It sounds like the readership was encouraged by reading how various improvements were making change and so they wanted more of this genre. Is this the difference highlighted in a story between earlier and later Literary periods?
Karen: Romanticism grew out French Revolution which sought to cast off the the institutions of the Old Regime: the Church, the aristocracy, the absolute monarchy and put power in the hands of the common man.
Poetry which expressed strong emotion and an awe for nature, broke the forms and the rules of classicism. The poets looked at the world with optimism, espoused strong nationalism and interests in the past and in the bizarre.
In summary, it was a revolt against the rationalism of the classical period.
Barb: Thank you Karen - you have now opened our eyes and hearts to this time in history. Cannot wait to get started with Cranford - So glad you agreed to guide us through this story and now we have historical happenings to look for before we even start our introduction to the characters.
-
Pre-discussion for Cranford opens
Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Come Join this Historical but Timely Discussion
(https://68.media.tumblr.com/58f5c6738fae0c3c6ad03a1696b5e93f/tumblr_nybojymgCE1rzzn4po1_500.png)
Post Interview - Karen has a few more nuggets that you will want to read...
Karen: During the Victorian Age, the novel came into prominence because serialization started in the periodicals of the day, which most people could afford to buy.
These novels were different than the poetry and novels of the Romantic Age. Novelists like Dickens, Gaskell, George Elliot looked at life with more realistic eye and held up the dark and seamy parts of life amid prosperity of the period. The works were intended to raise the awareness of the reader to the abuses that came with the Industrial Age.
As Victorian Age came to a close in 1901 the path had been paved for the return to the realism of modernism.
Barb:Interesting Karen how we are in the same place again aren't we, with technology again changing our lives so that most books are now inexpensively read from our communication devise and again, the dark and seamy parts of life is part of the prosperity of our times.
Karen: Yes, as the famous Dickens quote from the Tale of Two Cities reminds us...
"It was the best of times,
it was the worst of times,
it was the age of wisdom,
it was the age of foolishness,
it was the epoch of belief,
it was the epoch of incredulity,
it was the season of Light,
it was the season of Darkness,
it was the spring of hope,
it was the winter of despair,
we had everything before us, we had nothing before us,
we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—"
— in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.
Dickens serialized this book in 1859 telling a tale about the French Revolution , that occurred 60 years before. " the period was so far like the present period" in the midst of the Industrial Revolution. Readers can take this even further and repeat the same quote in 2017 about the impact of the technological revolution.
Barb:Thank you Karen, you have offered us more reasons to read Cranford to learn how the ladies of Cranford handle change. It appears Elizabeth Gaskell was a classical writer in the true sense having chosen an ever present theme of change that has been with us since the beginning of time.
Lots to talk about - settle in with your 'cupa' tomorrow and share your thoughts related to change and Elizabeth Gaskell.
For this Book of the Month read there will be no need to haunt the library.
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell in available online in several locations.
The Cranford Discussion starts next week.
-
The Cranford prediscussion is now open. Here's the link:
http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=5036.0 (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=5036.0)
See you there.
-
I just finished Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. What a good story-teller she is. The reader knows someone has been killed but not who or why until the end of the book. At the end of each chapter which tells the story of the characters and the lead up to the killing, there are "witnesses" comments on what happened, a very interesting process, which gives the reader clues of what might have happened. The story is about the relationship of mothers of children in a kindergarden class, mothers with all the problems, joys and angst of young mothers and wives.
I will look for more of her books.
Jean
-
I looked her up in our library catalogue Jean - she seems to have written quite a few novels. Looks really interesting, thanks for the heads up.
Rosemary
-
I have read seven novels by Liane Moraity and enjoyed them all.
-
That's good to know!
-
While we're between book discussions, I thought it might be fun to fill in the gap by reading a science fiction/fantasy short story or two, just for fun. I've put up one; here's the link:
http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=5050.msg305084#msg305084 (http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=5050.msg305084#msg305084)
-
After watching the first two episodes of the HBO series "Big Little Lies", all I can say is that I hope it's "based" on the book because I don't remember finding the book so raunchy. Yuck!!!!!!
-
I liked the book "Big Little Lies", but we gave up HBO, so I haven't seen the movie, or is it a series? I, like you, didn't think the book was the least bit raunchy.
-
Mabel, sorry to be so long in replying. For some reason, I've been neglecting SeniorLearn. Shame on me!
"Big Little Lies" is a series on HBO - not sure if it's limited. I've been recording the episodes so I can fast forward through the raunchy scenes.
The story is developing a bit more and I'll probably stick with it.
On a friend's recommendation, I have read "The Hamilton Affair", an historical fiction bio of Alexander Hamilton. It's definitely light reading but I enjoyed it because I really didn't know that much about him.
I had seen and recorded the PBS Program "Hamilton's America" - narrated by Lin Manuel Miranda and centered around the musical. When I re-watched it after reading the book, the scenes from the musical and the New York locations shown in the PBS program made so much more sense.
-
My morning cruise through Project Gutenberg resulted in curiosity about one Robert Hugh Benson. Benson, it turns out, was born into the Anglican Church, being the son of the Archbishop. Edward White Benson. It must have been a real family upheaval when he converted to the Roman Catholic Church, rising to become the supernumerary private chamberlain to the Pope (Pius X) in 1911. He wrote many stories and fictional novels, including Lord of the World, which is considered one of the first Dystopian novels.
If you are familiar with the Mapp and Lucia series (which I think I have seen mentioned here at one time), then you are familiar with his brother Edward Fredric Benson. His other brother, Arthur Christopher Benson, was also a prolific writer as well as an academic. A sister, Margaret, was an amateur archaeologist (the first women allowed to dig in Egypt) who wrote several works which appear to be mostly non-fiction.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._F._Benson#/media/File:The_Benson_Brothers,_1907..jpg
-
Just finished Lisa See's new novel The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, the story of another Chinese ethnic minority. Lovely story. If you've read and liked any of her books, you will enjoy this new book as well. It doesn't hurt that I'm addicted to tea.
-
Our book group is reading Mary Coin by Marissa Silver for next month. Has anyone read it? What did you think?
Jean
-
Can you buy the Meyerhoff book as an e-book????
-
Hello from a beautifully sunny Scotland,
I've just finished the late Maeve Binchy's 'A Week in Winter'. It's about a woman who returns to her home town in Ireland after a less than successful marriage in the US, and starts an upmarket B & B that offers clifftop walks, birdwatching, etc. The book is about her, her helpers and the various folk who come for the first week. It's very much the Binchy formula to write about a group of disparate characters, and whilst this book isn't on a par with some of her earlier ones ('Light a Penny Candle' being my all-time favourite), I did enjoy it and felt I 'knew' the people and wanted to find out what happened to each of them. It's a good light read and very Irish (though I did see that one of the reviewers on Amazon said 'I am Irish and Ireland is nothing like this any more' - and maybe that is true, as I haven't been there for some years. It all rang true to me [and Binchy was of course Irish and lived outside Dublin all of her life] but things do change.)
We are in the middle of elections here, as is France. It's very depressing so I am drawn to escapist fiction and films - in fact I've just bought the DVDs of The Aristocats and The Lady & The Tramp so that we can avoid thinking about the state of things.
Hope everyone has a good weekend!
Rosemary
-
My f2f book club just finished reading and discussing "Did You Ever Have A Family" by Bill Clegg. His debut novel is "a powerful story about a circle of people who find solace in the least likely of places as they cope with a horrific tragedy".
Anne Enright (a ManBooker prize winner) says this is "full of small-town secrets and whispers...Clegg has woven a richly textured tale of loss and healing. This is a deeply optimistic book about the power of human sympathy to pull us from the wreckage of our fate."
This book produced one of the very best discussions we have ever had in our 10+ yrs in this group, and we had a delightful moderator, who did a fantastic job. The book is divided into chapters about the various people, and switches point-of-view
rapidly sometimes. I could not do this book a good service, only can say once you get into it, and are able to switch POV and follow the story (you will be going back & forth a good bit to make sure you have everyone clear in your mind) it will be totally worthwhile. At least IMHO. 9 out of 10 of our attendees truly enjoyed the book and feel the same way I did. Give it a chance.
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Rosemary, have you tried watching the Father Brown mysteries? They help to calm one's nerves during and AFTER an elections! Believe me, I speak from experience! Most of the English/Scottish/etc etc are on Netflix. Whole seasons of them. 🤓🙏🙏 for you and yours!!
-
Call you tomorrow ann
Judy
-
Hi Annie - oh yes, Father Brown is another one of our go-to election remedies! We have quite a few episodes recorded (we don't have Netflix) but I am beginning to think we have watched them all now. The DVDs are still quite expensive here as it's very popular - there are people at the cathedral who watch it simply to see what the writers get wrong in the liturgy, etc... (NB I am not quite such a pedant - yet)
Another wonderful relaxant for us is Gavin & Stacey, but it's a very British kind of humour and I don't know whether it would translate to the US. Its great strength is in its razor-sharp observation of working class/aspirational family life. It's hilariously funny (to us anyway) but also has some really moving scenes. James Corden and Ruth Jones wrote it and star in it, along with Alison Steadman, Larry Lamb, Rob Bryden and numerous other well known actors. It's quite old now but always bears re-watching, especially on a Sunday night when work/college is looming...
This could really be an entire article/blog post, couldn't it? 'Election Remedies of a Non-Hallucinogenic Nature'....
Rosemary
-
Tomereader, that book sounds very interesting, I will see if our library has it.
Small towns are so rich in stories. I suppose it used to be villages, but nowadays most villages here have no shop, nor pub, nor community hub, so secrets are much more likely to stay just that. In a small town there are still so many meeting places. My daughter was speaking just yesterday about North Berwick, the seaside town in East Lothian that we used to live close to. Many of the people there went to school together and stayed there - a friend of hers told her that when all the 17 year olds tried to get into the local pubs with fake ID, they were on a hiding to nothing as everyone knew them already (and their Mums & Dads). Considering the NB high school is supposed to be one of the best in the country, you might have thought they would have had more sense!
Rosemary
-
Tomereader - not only does our library seem to have Did you ever have a family, someone has even posted a review of it:
'A story told in different voices of coping with a house fire that kills everyone you love. A well written debut title, although the number of voices telling the story can be a bit confusing at times. A good read.'
I get the impression you would agree?
Rosemary
-
Tomereader - not only does our library seem to have Did you ever have a family, someone has even posted a review of it:
'A story told in different voices of coping with a house fire that kills everyone you love. A well written debut title, although the number of voices telling the story can be a bit confusing at times. A good read.'
I get the impression you would agree?
Rosemary
I wish whoever reviewed it wouldn't have posted "spoiler". You notice, I didn't.
-
Oh dear sorry - I didn't really think that was a spoiler, I thought the main thing would be a story about the various reactions to the event? Apologies everyone :(
-
Well, it's not exactly spelled out , even the liner notes do not spell out what the "shocking disaster" "horrific tragedy" might be. Only on Page 28 is it stated that the "old stone house destroyed by fire". Earlier chapter might lead one to believe that it was a horrible auto crash (words issued by June). You're forgiven, Rosemary!
-
Reading "The Last Painting of Sara De Vos" by Dominic Smith. Good read about forgery of 16th century Dutch painter. Moves from 16th century Holland to 1950s New York and 2000 Sydney Australia.
-
Beautifully written "Thus Bad Begins" by Spanish writer Javier Maria's and "Ghachar Ghochar" by Vivek Shanbhag a writer from India
-
Hi again Tomereader - just because I felt bad, I looked at Did you ever have a family on Amazon UK, and they actually give away the nature of the tragedy in the official 'blurb'. Maybe Amazon US is more subtle?!! Anyway, still sounds like a good book :)
-
Has anyone read the four book Lord Byron series by Gretta Curran Browne? The first one is a freebie on Amazon right now. I was wondering if it is worth adding to my already extensive ebook TBR pile.
-
Surprisingly, both of the books I put on hold at the library came in today. One is SciFi, but the other is Ben Bova's The Hittite which is a work of historical fiction. It looks like much of the story unfolds during the Trojan Wars. The inside cover blurb also mentions the destruction of the walls of Jericho. This should be interesting since the accepted time frames for these two events are centuries different.
-
Reading Jodi Picoult's Small Great Things. Wow! I'd like to discuss this with a book group, there is so much possibility in this book. A Black labor and delivery nurse has a white supremacist for a patient. That's about as much as I tell you without spoilers. I'm not sure if I can finish it, it has the possibility of getting really stressful for me to read.
Jean
-
Jean, I have not read any of Jodi Picoult's book only because they are so very emotional and intense with real life human situations that I am not always ready to take on. I do own a couple of her books that a friend gave to me a few years back. I read the jacket and decided not now. Some day I may be ready.
I am reading a fiction novel called The Secret Letter by Chris Harrison (the host of the Bachelor/Bachelorette) Who knew he could write. It is a very interesting story about a murder, love, and choices you make in life that can come back around to hurt you.
-
Bellamarie, I feel the same way about Jodi Picoult. Too much suffering for me.
-
I am more than half way through The Hittite. It is a simple retelling of the Iliad from the standpoint of a Hittite soldier who ended up fighting in the Trojan War when he came to the city looking for his wife and children who had been sold into slavery. It really makes me want to reread the Iliad or, at least, rewatch Troy.
Bova also brought up differences between the Greeks, Trojans and Hittites in social structure (including the treatment of women) and war tactics. According to Bova's Hittite, Lukka, the Hittites were more advanced in warfare than the other two groups. The Greeks and Trojans still fought with bronze weapons, while the Hittites had advanced to iron weapons. The Hittites also used siege towers and the like to scale enemy walls while the Greeks and Trojans knew of no advances. I really need to do some fact checking there and get back to reading some of my history books on ancient civilizations. I want to find out just where and when siege towers and other siege weapons came into use.
-
Frybabe, if you find out more about warfare techniques, please share it with us.
I watched Troy when we were reading the Iliad here, and was rather unimpressed with the interpretation. But in a couple of scenes, the glory of the original leaked through.
-
I agree, Pat, that the movie to be desired in interpretation, but I liked it anyway. While I am not a big Brad Pitt fan I thought he looked magnificent in the armor.
Bova did not use the Trojan Horse in his depiction of the Fall of Troy. He used a siege tower at the city's weakest point in the walls. This strikes me as a little more realistic than the Trojan horse story of the Iliad. He includes in the book an account of how the Homeric tale came about including "Homer" got blinded. Fanciful, but interesting.
Iron Swords: Iron swords appeared around the 12th century BC. The Sythians and Persians used them, but they didn't become in more common use elsewhere until the 8th century BC according to Wikipedia (without proper citation). Google search, surprisingly, isn't returning much. I will have to see what I have in my home library which includes a history of Persia, an old book on arms and armor, and the Durant's Story of Civilization series.
Siege towers. We read about them mostly used in the Middle Ages and by the Romans. Before the Greeks in the 4th century BC (earliest Greek use as best as I can tell), the Assyrians were using them in by the 9th century BC (several sources say 11th Century BC). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_tower#/media/File:Assyrian_Attack_on_a_Town.jpg The ancient Chinese were using them way earlier although I saw no dating for those other than "ancient". Oh, and it appears that on the tomb of Egyptian general Intef (11th Dynasty, Middle Kingdom, circa 2000BC) at Thebes there is a depiction of a rudimentary mobile siege tower.
-
My language in college was Ancient Greek (two terms of Homeric, one Koine) and we read the Illiad, or at least the first parts of it, in Homer's native tongue.
The biggest criticism of the Troy movie that I've read and agreed with is the way the roles of the gods were more or less neutered from the story. It's nearly a "secularized" version of the tale.
RE: iron weapons, I did some research on this subject during the writing of Regarding Tiberius. It wasn't as if a switch was flipped and iron weapons popped up and made bronze weapons instantly obsolete. Bronze alloys can altered to enhance hardness or ductility, and cast into beautiful examples of craftsmanship. Iron was a mixed bag--no carbon and it's soft, too much carbon and it's brittle. The ONLY advantage to iron weapons initially was cost: bronze is a copper/tin allow, and tin is rare--in the ancient world, you had to import it from places like Britain at great expense. Iron ore was more abundant.
The best example of late-Bronze era weapon technology is the one found in China from the 3rd Century B.C.:
http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/3000-year-old-bronze-sword-discovered-china-002051
It was a bi-metallic casting (higher tin alloy to make the edges harder, lower for the inner tang to prevent breakage). In some areas the blade was still so sharp that it could cut the hands of the archeologists studying it.
Here is a video of a YouTube weapons aficionado putting a bronze sword through some impressive tests:
https://youtu.be/ngjMtzJ6xgQ
So when Pitt dispatches that huge muscle-bound character in the beginning of the film, I think the blade technology of bronze weaponry makes that scene at least somewhat plausible.
One other advantage to bronze swords is that they are highly resistant to corrosion. It isn't all too rare to dig around in certain areas of Britain and unearth one. Compare that to finding Roman-era iron weapons, which are typically rusted to nothing, even though they numbered in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions. Discovering one completely intact is nothing short of miraculous.
-
Good Morning, Bart. I was just thinking of you a little earlier today (and yesterday, as a matter of fact). How are things going with the sequel? I hope you and the family are doing well.
Thanks for the additional input about the bronze and iron weapons. I never delved very deeply into the history of weapons themselves.
What do you like to read when you are not busy with work, family and writing?
Right now, I am back to reading several SciFi books to the detriment of my Roman history books. My latest acquisitions waiting on the side lines are Lindsay Powell's Germanicus.., Adrian Goldsworthy's Pax Romana, and Legions of Rome by Stephen Dando-Collins. Latin classes are over for the summer, but that isn't keeping me from translating and reading Pliny the Younger's Letters. They are way too interesting to stop reading just because classes are done for the summer.
-
Interesting info, Bart. I like learning things like that.
Jean
-
You can still get knives made with that layering technique:
http://www.hidatool.com/cutlery-and-kitchen/chef-knives-slicers?product_id=1620 (http://www.hidatool.com/cutlery-and-kitchen/chef-knives-slicers?product_id=1620)
-
It's no good leaving out the gods when you tell the Iliad, since the whole thing is really the gods playing out their own squabbles using the mortals as their tools.
The movie also annoyed me by pronouncing Menelaus men-e-louse instead of men-e-lay-us. Which is right?
-
The movie also annoyed me by pronouncing Menelaus men-e-louse instead of men-e-lay-us. Which is right?
In Greek, Μενέλαος, the second syllable is stressed (hence the accent), so in the original tongue I would think it would sound like "men-AY-la-os." The last syllable would sound less like "louse," as in the singular form of lice, and more like how we pronounce the name of the country of "Laos," i.e., a bit more separation in the dipthong. I think the conventional English transliteration pronunciation would be "men-e-LAY-us."
Take that with a grain of salt... I took Ancient Greek in 1992-93 and haven't exactly used it conversationally since then. :)
-
I am now reading an old novel called Lords of the North by by A. C. Laut. The setting is about the frontier dwellers, fur trappers, and of course, the indians of the Northeast and Canada. The Hudson Bay company and their competitors are quite active. It appears, though I didn't see any dates, before the French and Indian Wars. The story begins with a kidnapping and the subsequent search for the victims.
-
I am amending my previous comment about Lords of the North. As I read further into the book I realize that it is not set during or before the French and Indian Wars, but is set, at least at the beginning, in the early 19th century. The backdrop, so far, includes the rivalry between the North West Company, based in Montreal, and the Hudson's Bay Company.
I looked up both companies. Surprise! The Hudson's Bay Company still exists. The North West Company operated between 1779 and 1821, when it merged with Hudson's Bay. An employee consortium bought out the northern trading posts in 1987 and revived the name; it is based in Winnipeg. North West Company is now a grocery and merchandise store chain, while the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) evolved into a retail company. HBC is the company that acquired Saks Fifth Avenue about four years ago.
-
I finally got around to checking a map, now that I am over 50% through Lords of the North. The area of action is mostly from what is now Winnipeg and to the west and south following the Souris, Assiniboine and Red Rivers. I just finished a description of one of the Buffalo hunts down near or below Pembina which at the time was considered part of Canada (until a survey of the 49th parallel proved otherwise). Now the story is coming up on the Battle of Seven Oaks (June 19, 1816) during what became known as the Pemmican War. The site now part of the city of Winnipeg which has erected a monument at approximately the center of the battle site. Also in Winnipeg is the site of Fort Douglas, now part Fort Douglas Park within the downtown historical district.
I am also reading bios of some of the key players from the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company. One of those killed at the Battle of Seven Oaks was an American businessman (Robert Semple) with no experience in the fur trade who had been appointed Governor of the Red River Colony. The description in the book of the Sioux depicts them as a fierce group prone to vindictiveness and cruelty toward their enemies and with having no love for the White Man. I have learned that Sioux is the French name for the Lakota.
While the book does show some of the hardships endured by colonists, and fur trader/trappers, it focuses mainly on the conflict between the two great fur trading rivals. And, of course, there is a love interest involved and a brave missionary intent on bringing the word of God to the Indians.
-
I just read my first Anthony Trollope short story, "An Unprotected Female at the Pyramids". What a delight. It has a whiff of Victorian politeness, understatement, muted emotions, and humor about it. I have another in on my e-reader, but I think that is an account of a trip he made across Palestine.
-
Love Anthony Trollope's Chronicles of Barsetshire - The TV series that had Alan Rickman as Slope was a riot.
-
I thought I had that in on my Kindle, but what I have is Barchester Towers and The Eustace Diamonds, and I have The Warden in print. I may have read The Eustace Diamonds long, long ago.
-
Frybabe the Chronicles is a series of six novels. The Warden, Barchester Towers, Dr. Thorne, Framley Parsonage, The Small House at Allington, The Last Chronicle of Barset
link to the series: https://archive.org/details/chroniclesbarse01trolgoog
https://exoticandirrational.blogspot.com/2011/09/guide-to-novels-of-anthony-trollope.html
-
Ah, hah. Thanks Barb. Then I have the first two of the series. I think I saw Dr. Thorne and The Last Chronicle of Barset on Gutenberg; other two are probably there too.
-
I am reading The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson. The location begins in Jamaica. Now, I am in New York. It's a love story. It's also a story about a single mother surviving while raising a baby girl. Jamaica seems to have been one of the places where movie stars loved to relax and play. Errol Flynn shows up in this one. I can't wait to find reading time for today. What will happen in New York?
-
I have found my next lending library read. It is an historical novel set during the late Republic. It retells the story of Quintus Sertorius, a statesman, general and at one time considered a hero of Rome, who became an enemy of Rome. He eventually lost his war and his life to Sulla and Pompey in 72BC. The Man With Two Names by Vincent B. Davis II is the first in new series. It looks like the book is only available on Amazon.
I am going to grab my Plutarch and read his chapter on Sertorius before I begin reading the novel.
-
I've finished the last novel named here. I really loved it. Now, I'm going to try and reread The Old Man And The Sea by Ernest Hemingway. I would like to see the movie too.
-
I had Mary Cassatt as one of the elements of my library presentation last night and I came across these two fiction books about her, both of which sound interesting. I've just started, I always loved you: a story of Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas by Robin Oliveira and the second one is Lydia Cassatt Reading the Morning Paper by Harriet Scott Chessman in which Mary's story is told by her sister Lydia and apparently talks about Lydia's life as an artist's model and her Bright's disease. In the "preview chapter" the author is giving a nice description of Paris and the people in Paris and their FIFTH floor walk-up apartment where Mama and Poppa Cassatt and Mary and Lydia live.
I'm looking forward to enjoying both of them. I don't know either author.
Jean
-
Jean we read here, I always loved you: a story of Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas by Robin Oliveira - didn't think it was that long ago - so you may want to look into the archives and see what was said at the time.
-
It was summer 2014. The National Gallery here in DC was serendipitously having an exhibit of Cassatt and Degas at then time, and Pedln, JoanP and I saw it together.
-
I loved that second book about Mary Cassatt. I no longer have a copy. I think the book is a small treasure. ;)
-
(http://seniorlearn.org
/bookclubs/graphics/bookstable.jpg) | (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/fictionsign.jpg) |
This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.
Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?
| (http://seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/graphics/nytimes.jpg) (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/bestseller)
|
Discussion Leader: Judy Laird (Judy.1007@live.com)
Thanks Barb and Pat. I don't know why I wouldn't have taken part in that discussion, but I'll look for it.
Hi Hats, good to hear from you.
Jean
-
Here is a happy hello to all of you Bookies. Sorry I haven't written each name down yet to make my hi more personal. All of you are good friends.
-
;) Us? Could this be us Hats?
(http://d1dc7fy73ia9qh.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Sixty-and-Me_Inspirational-Older-Women-You-Need-to-Know-740x417.jpg)
-
Please. Would someone identify these three lovely ladies.
-
Just the question I was about to ask. I have guesses for two, but no certainties.
-
Oh lordy - just a fun photo I found that could be any of us and with Hats saying, 'All of us are good friends' I thought it would be fun to upload a photo of friends - lots of photos on Google of groups of young friends but not so many of older folks as friends so I took what there was that showed smiling folks. And so, Pat and Jonathan y'all can have fun Baptizing them or holding a simchat bat ceremony and name our new photographed friends ;)
-
Barb, I wish. It's a lovely photo. I should look so good.
-
Hats, it's so nice to see you posting again. Where have you been hiding?
-
That's wonderful. I was guessing, but now that I know, I will enjoy all your posts more than ever, and allow your wonderful, infectious smiles to make my day. Every day. What a pin up!!! The world is a beautiful place.
-
Hi Annie, I haven't been hiding. Sometimes I would love to hide. It's impossible in this new world. I'm becoming a child again in thought. ??? I just finished "Summer" by Edith Wharton. It's very sad. I needed a tissue. Since I like a sad novel every once and again, I loved it. There is so much I didn't understand in it. Would love to have this group discuss it. Barb, where is your book of symbolism? It did put me in a Edith Wharton mood. Remembered the "House Of Mirth" discussion. Looked at her other titles. Wonderful.
-
Never read Summer by Wharton - most of her stories do involve women who get the short end of things because of the way women experienced life during that time in history -
Hats, For $2.99 + shipping Amazon has a used copy of
An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Traditional Symbols by J. C. Cooper
When grandsons were seniors in High School they each received a copy - that and a copy of The Man Who Planted Trees.
-
Well, I went to the archive to read your discussion on "I Have Always Loved You". It answered my question as to why I didn't remember the discussion!?!?
I was traveling and my library was "traveling", (the library was being moved into a new bdg and was closed for about a month), so I didn't really participate, altho I intended to "hitch a ride" on your discussion at the time. So now that I'm reading the book I will enjoy your comments and many links to those wonderful paintings.
-
OK Hats - read the Wharton's book Summer today after reading your post - http://www.pagebypagebooks.com/Edith_Wharton/Summer/Chapter_I_p3.html
Lots of analogies - sad and yet, not so sad - she had a kind caretaker - I wonder if she ever becomes fond enough of him so that their union is made real. False kindness was sure well manipulated overlaid with secrets and soft words - those who take what they want have a charm about them that makes the betrayal all the more cruel and despicable - society has changed some so that she would not be forced into such narrow choices for her and her child's future - interesting how we all fantasize about what could have been. But then that is commenting on the story-line as presented where as the entire story could easily be an allegory for nature and the greed and ruthless behavior of man versus those who protect and allow nature its existence. But then like Mr. Royal you have to come home and not only acknowledge but accept and nurture your relationship with nature.
-
(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/0c/e3/8b/0ce38b0a09c417868a208b2971024411.jpg)
Curl up and read with us our Fall selection. The Warden starts in October
The more you get into this time in history and the Anglican Church of England the more fun. There is so much background history, traditions, change and just life's goings on during the time of the publication, 1855. Learning as much as we can will be an adventure that will help us pick out the dry humor of Trollop and will highlight the sublet differences between the characters. This read is not the cozy afternoon cup of tea - the story is more like a game of chess with each character having their traditional space in which to move while change is blowing strong - in this simply story there is a lot going on.
The Plan for our discussion - We begin The Warden pre-discussion on Monday, October 2:
October 2: Pre-Discussion with suggested Topics for Discussion
October 9: Chapters 1-4
October 16: Chapters 5-8
October 23: Chapters 9-12
October 30: Chapters 13-16
November 6: Chapters 17-20
November 11: Chapter 21 Finis
A link to the story will be in the heading however, if you are buying the book one of the better additions with background on the story and background on the author is the Oxford World's Classics addition - the Amazon Prime addition of the Oxford paperback edition is priced at $7.99
-
I'm reading The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant. I think someone in SL mentioned it, which got me interested. I know a lot of people liked The Red Tent, but I couldn't get into it. I really like TBG though, so I may go back to TRT and give it another try.
In TBG, Addie Baum, an 80-something granmother, is telling her 20-something grandgt about her life, which began in 1900 Boston. It is a well told history of the first half of the 20th century, with accuracy of the time, and humor. I got well pulled in by the emotional dynamics of the family and enjoyed the spunkiness AND doubt in Addie's personality.
Studying about a lot of women thru history, I've seen the trend that even the women who have been strongest in pushing their cause have at times wondered if they are behaving too progressively. (i. e., Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to graduate with a medical degree, who had pushed hard, being rejected by 30 medical colleges before she got into one, got the highest grades in several courses and graduated with honors, thought it was inappropriate to go onto the stage to collect her diploma. So her brother went up onstage to collect it for her.)
I'm also reading Terrible Virtue, a fictionalized story of Margaret Sanger's life. As I've said before, I think Margaret Sanger and Kathryn McCormick should have their birthdays celebrated by a nation who has a birth rate of about 2 children per family, instead of 7, 9, 13!!!!
I'm looking forward to duscussing it with our mother-dgt book group. I feel like the author is often reenforcing the negative aspects that the anti-planned parenthood people constantly talk about. But, I am so grateful to Sanger and McCormick that I may be too sensitive to that part of the story. Yeah, she was a socialist and free-love advocate, but for people who don't like those behaviors, I ask, "who is perfect?" The benefits she has brought us far outweigh those behaviors!
Jean
-
As a woman and Pro Life Christian, I could not disagree with you stronger. Sanger is not a woman I could ever celebrate in any fashion. By her own words she clearly was a racist, bigot and inhumane.
Sanger's own words:
“By all means, there should be no children when either mother or father suffers from such diseases as tuberculosis, gonorrhea, syphilis, cancer, epilepsy, insanity, drunkenness and mental disorders. In the case of the mother, heart disease, kidney trouble and pelvic deformities are also a serious bar to childbearing No more children should be born when the parents, though healthy themselves, find that their children are physically or mentally defective.” (“Woman and the New Race,” 1920, Chapter 7).
“The main objects of the Population Congress would be to apply a stern and rigid policy of sterilization and segregation to that grade of population whose progeny is tainted, or whose inheritance is such that objectionable traits may be transmitted to offspring[;] to give certain dysgenic groups in our population their choice of segregation or sterilization.” (“A Plan for Peace,” 1932).
In a 1957 interview with Mike Wallace, Sanger revealed: “I think the greatest sin in the world is bringing children into the world — that have disease from their parents, that have no chance in the world to be a human being practically. Delinquents, prisoners, all sorts of things just marked when they’re born. That to me is the greatest sin — that people can — can commit.”
This line of thinking from its founder has left lasting marks on the legacy of Planned Parenthood. For example, 79 percent of Planned Parenthood’s surgical abortion facilities are located within walking distance of black or Hispanic communities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Abortion Surveillance report revealed that between 2007 and 2010, nearly 36 percent of all abortions in the United States were performed on black children, even though black Americans make up only 13 percent of our population. A further 21 percent of abortions were performed on Hispanics, and 7 percent more on other minority groups, for a total of 64 percent of U.S. abortions tragically performed on minority groups. Margaret Sanger would have been proud of the effects of her legacy.
Famous blacks of today see her as a racist, who wanted to do away with the black race. In my opinion she is as bad as Adolf Hitler trying to do away with the Jews. I am thrilled to see more and more Planned Parenthood centers close, and less tax payer's money used to help fund these abortion clinics. Abortion is their ultimate goal, and their idea of birth control. Everything else is a front.
-
My day at the library netted me three books at the Friends of the Library books store. One is called The Middle of the Air by Kenneth Butcher, an author new to me. This is his first novel set and is set in Appalachia. My copy is signed. His second also sounds kind of interesting, The Dream of Saint Ursula: A Virgin Islands Mystery. According to the author these are part of a trilogy.
Also, I gained another Steve Berry, The 14th Colony, even though I am way behind in reading his novels. This one is also signed.
-
I ran across a children's (juniors?) book by Carolyn Keen called Marjorie in Command. Now you know, I just had to take a peek. Here are the first four intriguing lines of the book.
“Well,” said Marjorie, “I think it’s too perfectly, awfully, horribly dreadful for anything in all this world!”
“I do, too,” agreed King. “It’s a calamity, and a catastrophe and a cat,—a cata—cataclysm!”
“Of course it is,” said Kitty, who was philosophical. “But as it’s all settled, and we’ve got to live through it, we may as well make the best of it.”
“The best of it!” grumbled King; “there isn’t any best! It’s all outrageously horrid, and that’s all there is about it! I don’t see how we can stand it.”
-
Goodness! I wonder what the catastrophic cataclysm could be?
-
Indeed, I am agog - I love these old children's books!
-
Just started reading Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner. It is about a wheelchair bound historian who writes about his frontier-era grandparents. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1972 and is on the Modern Library's 100 best English language books of the 20th Century. I've only gotten into the intro which is interesting of itself.
-
I’m about half way thru Adriana Trigiani’s The Shoemaker’s Wife. It’s delightful! She’s obviously done a lot of research about the various settings - northern Italy, an Atlantic voyage at the end of the 19th century, Little Italy in NYC. A little romance, a little history, a good story with many positive moments. Just what I needed to avoid the world at the moment.
Jean
-
I’ve almost finished “The Shoemaker’s Wife” and am still liking it very much. There is a strong woman protagonist who has supportive men around her. As I said it moves from northern Italy, across the Atlantic to NYC and then to Minnesota. It has a lot to say about what makes a “family”, how important friends can be in our lives, the power of having goals, and is a good look at immigrant lives at the turn of the 20th century. It’s a good story.
Jean
-
I think that Angle of Repose is worth a book discussion. I am not that far in, but it has all kinds of things to talk about, including the huge argument over the author's use of materials from Mary Hallock Foote's writings.
About the book: http://www.openlettersmonthly.com/novelreadings/a-kind-of-investigation-into-a-life-wallace-stegner-angle-of-repose/
About the author: https://wallacestegner.org/bio.html
Angle of repose is an actual scientific term. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/angle_of_repose
About Mary Hallock Foote, including links to some of her stories: https://americanliterature.com/author/mary-hallock-foote
-
I just realized that I have one of Mary Hallock Foote's books on my Kindle (once again, courtesy of Project Gutenberg): The Desert and the Sown. I'll have to read it after I get done with Angle of Repose (and the other borrows that are already waiting). And, I will have to find and read The Reminiscences of Mary Hallock Foote, Edited by Rodman W . Paul.
I can well see why there was such a great controversy over Wallace Stegner's book. It does indeed take much of its story from Mary Hallock Foote's writings, a lot of it verbatim. However, he did get the okay to use the material as he saw fit with the proviso that he keep the sources a secret, and the none of the family apparently wanted to bother to read the offered prepublication manuscript for comment.
In the meantime, Angle of Repose is quite descriptive. At the moment, I am getting a reminder of how badly miners were treated back then.
-
I've always wanted to read Angle of Repose. I've also wanted to read The Shoemaker's Wife. At the moment, I'm reading The Bridal Chair by Gloria Goldreich. It's about the life of Marc Chagall and his family mainly his daughter, Ida and her husband. At the moment, they are living in Paris. Trying to use visas to get away from Adolph Hitler. It's written very well. I like looking for Marc Chagall's paintings on the Internet.
-
I just finished listening to A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy. That was a most relaxing book.
-
nlhome - I read that book earlier this year and enjoyed it. Who was reading it on your audiobook? Maeve Binchy gets a lot of flak, but I love her - she never pretended to be writing high literature, but she wrote about ordinary Irish people and the way they live their lives in a quite beautiful way. I get the impression that she was a lovely woman. She could not have children, and once said that their (much regretted) absence gave her the time to write her books (although when she first started she was still working full time as a journalist, so would get up at 5.30am to get some writing done - and she kept her writing stuff on a pull-out trolly under the stairs, as there was no other space in their tiny house). She and her husband Gordon were devoted to one another.
Rosemary
-
Rosemary, the narrator was Rosalyn Landor. I am fairly new to audiobooks, so I am not familiar with the different readers. I had eye surgery recently, and reading is still a strain for me, so I am listening to books that I order through our online library. I haven't had much luck getting specific books, so I have been looking in the "available" category. I think someone here or on another site had mentioned reading this one; in any case, it was "available" so I checked it out. I've listened to some books I would not have read this way, so that's good.
I must say, that book made me interested in the western part of Ireland. I haven't read many of Binchy's books, mostly the short stories. Right now, as I'm not as active as I normally am, I enjoyed the book.
-
I'm listening to "The Christmas Train" by David Baldacci. I think I would like reading the book. It's a light, fun book about a journalist who gets so frustrated with the TSA at Dulles Airport - oh, I guess that's now Reagan Airport - that he throws a fit and is banned from all air travel in the US for 2 yrs! He has a date to meet his "girlfriend" in LA for Christmas, so he decides to take the train across the country. Which gives him the thought of writing a book about taking a train across the country. It's a charming story..........however, Tim Mathieson, the reader of the audio book has the same voice for every other character but the protagonist - it sounds like an 85 yr old man from the South. LOL It's very distracting, so I will get the book when I go to the library next week and enjoy the story.
I'm also reading The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Stout for our mother/dgt book group. Have any of you read it? What did you think? So far I don't like any character in the book. :( I'm hoping it gets better.
Jean
-
Jean, I haven't read either of those books but I like the sound of The Christmas Train, I will see if our library has it.
I find the lack of difference between voices so frustrating in radio drama too - even when the characters are played by different actors, they sometimes all sound the same. Last night I was lisitening to Nicola Upson's An Expert in Murder, which is a fictional detective story that includes the real life author Josephine Tey as a character. It's set in the world of London theatre in the 1930s. The plot wasn't brilliant, but my main problem was telling one person from another. The details of theatre life were, however, fascinating.
nlhome - I do hope your eyesight is recovering? The Maeve Binchy that I personally love best is Light A Penny Candle, one of her earliest works. It's a sort of family saga about an English schoolgirl sent to stay with an Irish farming family, and how both their and her lives (she returns to England) develop over the years. It rang especially true with me because I used to stay with my friend's farming family every year, but I think anyone would enjoy it. Lots of detail about life in Ireland from WW2 onwards, the (now declining) power of the Catholic church, the changes in attitudes on both sides of the Irish Sea - and as ever with Binchy, a good page-turning plot.
Rosemary
-
Thanks, Rosemary. I have to retrain my brain, but it's moving along. I can read on the computer, but it's hard on my eyes. It will be a few days yet before I can do strenuous activities, or I'd be doing a deep clean of the house. After I see the doctor Tuesday, I'll probably have the ok to drive; meanwhile, I listen to books and wrap gifts, etc. (And hint to my husband about vacuuming)
I have read "The Christmas Train." I liked it. It was a change from the Baldacci books I had read.
-
Just finished Angle of Repose. What a story! The story is very heavily based on real people, places and events.
Wikipedia has a summary that doesn't get too detailed with spoilers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angle_of_Repose
The struggle of these two mismatched characters to keep a marriage together in the late 1800's/early 1900's is well worth reading. The occupations of both partners, one an illustrator and writer, the other a civil engineer are well illustrated. Oliver was an overly trusting and hard working engineer who (along with his family) suffered set back after set back and disappointment. Susan, who all the while wrote about and illustrated the West and its inhabitants, never really became a part of nor was reconciled to living in the West. She preferred the society of and moaned over the loss of her Eastern family, friends and sensibilities.
-
Almost forgot the other bit of the novel involves a wheelchair bound historian who is writing a novel about his grandparents, the subjects of the other part of the novel. He does some comparisons and speculations regarding his situation, experience and feelings with those of his grandparents.
-
Each story is amazing. I would love to know how Susan Vreeland felt as she researched and wrote each story. Did she travel to the homes of these painters? Who was her favorite artist? Because as I read "Life Studies" by Susan Vreeland, her passionate feelings or love for these people comes through the sentences. Here is one quote I like from the novel or anthology.
"The painter worked faster this time, swaying toward and away from his painting, a rhythm that would last for a while and then abruptly stop, as if a pain were attacking him and he had to wait until it passed...Every so often he murmured excited syllables--not words, just sounds."
-
I just noticed on a list of Hallmark Christmas movies that there is a movie based on “The Christmas Train” bt Baldacci. I’d like to get to see it.
Jean
-
I've just started reading a L. Frank Baum (yes the Wizard of Oz guy) book called Daughters of Destiny(1906). He wrote this adult adventure novel under one of his pen-names, Schuyler Staunton.
Much of the action is set in Baluchistan which is now a part of Pakistan although, from what I've read, it would prefer to be independent. I also learned that Baluchistan was once one of the semi-independent areas protected by the Brits. Some time after they gained full independence, Pakistan invaded and took it over (in spite of signed treaties that it should remain independent). According to a site I read (forget which one) it covers 49% of Pakistan and is fertile ground with a good bit of mineral wealth. Those wishing their independence back claim that they are under represented in the Pakistani government, and that the government has not put any effort into improving infrastructure, among other things. Uh, Oh! Learning things again. ;D
-
Here is an interesting list from Publisher's Weekly listing 10 novels about writers. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/tip-sheet/article/76071-10-essential-novels-about-novelists.html?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly&utm_campaign=ce1c40aa00-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_02_16&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0bb2959cbb-ce1c40aa00-304806741
-
Thanks Frybabe, that's a very interesting list (and I'm a sucker for lists...). The only book I had even heard of is Little Women, which I read so long ago that I really should read it again. The article did put me in mind of Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle, in which Cassandra shuts her author father in the dungeon to make him write again (he's been going on about writer's block on and off all through the story, and his lack of output is leaving them all seriously impoverished.)
Rosemary
-
Hi Rosemary and Frybabe, thanks for the title list. I like a few of them. I wrote down Elizabeth Costello by Coetzee. I remember The Fixer by Bernard Malamud. So I would like to read The Tenant. Hope I looked at the right list.
-
Currently listening to the audiobook version of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness. I've had that book on my Paperwhite for quite some time but never got around to reading it. The Reader of this particular audiobook is Kenneth Branagh. Well! Branagh does a superlative job of the reading and I am so glad I had put off the book. But I don't think I would have had the patience to read it now without frequent pauses. Conrad is quite a word smith isn't he?
-
Conrad's word power is even more remarkable when you remember that English wasn't his native language. Branagh would certainly be the right person to read that book.
What do you think of the book? For some reason, though I see exactly what he's saying, and how, it doesn't affect me emotionally as strongly as it should, and that in spite of many vivid descriptions I can still picture in my mind, though it's been years since I read it.
-
Pat, I am only to the point where he has arrived at his destination and is just getting off the boat. I did like his opening description of his trip down the Thames. The number of hours that are listed for this book is a little over three hours. Is it really that short? I would have thought it would have been a longer novel.
Shan has discovered bugs (ladybug looking things inside) and birds (outside) and is very verbal about his sightings. Right now he is frustrated that the ladybug type with extra spots is at the top of the window where he can't get at it. Whine, Whine!
-
Ah, it's a tough life being a cat. ;)
My paperback of Heart of Darkness is 72 pages (Dover thrift edition, $1). Marlow appears in many of Conrad's books, sometimes as storyteller or observer, sometimes more active. He's kind of Conrad himself.
-
I'll have to check out Conrad's bio. This book has the feel of being semi-autobiographical. I am also going to look into reading some of his other works.
Now that I have finished listening to We Are Legion; We Are Bob I am checked into what I have in my Adventure Fiction TBR pile. Passing by The Magnetic North (a tale of Alaska, I think) by Elizabeth Robins, The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Ward Radcliffe, and The World's Desire by Andrew Lang, among others, I am a page or two into The Winds of the World by Talbot Mundy which is set in British India.
-
I've downloaded two more of Talbot Mundy's books about the early 20th century Indian Regiments (primarily featuring the Sikh Regiments) just prior to and during WWI. While I didn't care for the Yasmini character, I did like the Kirby, Warrington (both Brits) and Ranjoon Singh characters. It was Mundy's intention in writing these historical novels to honor the Indian troops that participated in WWI and WWII. The Indian troops suffered losses of over 80,000 KIA in WWI and over 89,000 KIA in WWII. I believe I remember rightly that the numbers did not include non-fatal casualties. During WWI, at least, the Sikh fighters refused to use the steel helmets when they became available, preferring to keep wearing their turbans (which is some cases actually caught bullets before they did damage.
Also, I have started listening to News of the World, by Paulette Jules. It turns out that it is read by Grover Gardner, who read a SciFi book I recently finished. I think he is great. Looking him up, I see that he has won multiple awards and has read over 800 books so far. He is a lot younger than I thought.
-
I've been "missing" here, but I'm back...just don't get notifications anymore.
-
I am now reading an engrossing novel called, The Art of Peeling an Orange by Victoria Avilan. It is set in the world of art and entertainment. There are an artist who was jilted, her psychotherapist sister who is lesbian, and her roomate who is a nurse as well as the roommates' boyfriend and the multitalent who stole the artists' love away. There is a death, suspicion of murder, and a lust for vengeance -- so far. I am just to Chapter 11.
-
Nota Bene: I wouldn't suggest The Art of Peeling an Orange if you don't care to read Lesbian eroticism which shows up later int the book. And here I thought we were heading for a kind of supernatural (Gothic?) mystery. I will be finishing it, though. The writing is good with an odd twist (hence my thoughts toward the supernatural).
-
Thanks for the heads up Frybabe - new analogy for the title ::)
-
Just finished a piece of the world by Christina Baker Kline. Christina is the woman in the painting by Andy Wyeth. Christina, her parents, and brother, Al, and the visitor Andy Wyeth lead a quiet but very observant life in Maine. Perhaps, it is going to become my favorite novel this year. There are so many important words and moments in the book. Here is a quote I would like to share. "I think about all the ways I've been perceived by others over the years: as a burden, a dutiful daughter, a girlfriend, a spiteful wretch, an invalid..."
-
Just started reading Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War by P. W. Singer. It is a near future thriller. Ghost Fleet refers to our mothballed ships.
Also, I have Dictator by Robert Harris on audio book to listen to. It is an historical novel about Cicero's final fifteen years in the eyes of Tiro, his secretary/slave. I had to take a look at Imperium, also by Robert Harris. I thought, at first, that they changed the name and reissued it, but it looks like it is covering different ground.
-
"Dictator" is part of the Robert Harris trilogy, beginning with "Imperium". We just read Dictator for f2f book club, that met Thursday. It is a fascinating, awesomely researched historical novel.
-
I would like to read about the "mothballed" ships. Have an interest in ships. However, I don't know much about them. Thanks for the title.
-
Thanks, Tome, I had no idea it was a trilogy. I went hunting for Lustrum and couldn't find it, but did discover that they retitled it in the US as Conspirata. My library has it so I am returning Dictator for the time being to read Conspirata first.
-
mabel1015j, thank you for reminding me of Jodi Picoult's title. I have been meaning to read "Small Great Things." As a matter of fact, I wouldn't mind spending all of summer or autumn with Jodi Picoult. I pick autumn because that's my favorite season.
-
Hats - glad you are enjoying Picoult 👍
Jean
-
hi everyone I am back . I finely got a computer set up that I can use sitting in my chair. my guru just left and now I am going to be able to use it. nothing much going on here but this going to be fun
-
tra la - nothing like having back your link to the world Judy - come join us for our Fall read - the pre-discussion will open sometime late this evening and we start the discussion this coming Monday September 17 The Architect's Apprentice - fascinating time in history that many of us know little about so it will be quite an adventure into the sixteenth century Ottoman Empire.
-
thanks barb I will try. I am going to have to lean te internet again and also how to spell. lol
-
Judy, it's great to see you back. Nobody really cares about the spelling.
-
Judy, I am so happy to see you are back "in business" again.
-
thanks so much I don't think it is for long I believe it is too big and bulky for me
Does anyone know about Ginny is she alright?
-
Judy, Ginny posted early this morning to my Latin class. It is the first day for classes. Other than that, she has probably been busy with the lower classes. With the hurricane's slight turn south, I am not sure how much she will get now.
-
Barb, thank you for the invitation.
-
The Gilded Hour turned out to be very good thru its 700+ pages. It was about two women, cousins, who were physcians in NYC in the late 19th century. Sara Donati, the author, gives a real sense of the environment, both physical and social, at the time. It talks a lot about Italian immigrants and lends itself to thinking about the present day discussion about that issue.
It was one of the best books I’ve read in the last six months. I really enjoyed it.
Jean
-
I remembered somebody mentioning Orphan Train some time ago, so when it became available as an ebook at my library, i got it. Very good story, very good writing. It tells the story about two orphaned girls in two different centuries who seem totally different when they meet in the 21st century, but find they have a lot in common, one as a 91 yr old and one as a 17 yr old. The author is Christina Blake Kline and I thought it was a good, easy, moving-along story. I’ll look for more of her books.
Jean
-
Christina Baker Cline is a wonderful author. The novel I love by her is Historical Fiction. The title is A Piece Of The World. It's a quiet, simple time. Yet, their lives are complex. If my memory has not failed me, it is about an Artist.
Anyway, there is something about Orphan themed novels. They stay in the mind and heart a little longer. I have an Orphan novel checked out from the library. I haven't opened it yet. It is Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. Long ago I did read Ciderhouse Rules by John Irving. I suppose that is called an Orphan novel. I have also read Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons. I think Ellen Foster would count. I might make a little list of Orphan themed novels.
-
Hats - thanks for that recommendation, I’ll look for it.
Jean
-
You're welcome.
-
Oh great, my library has an ebook version of A Piece of the World!
-
Jean, I still remember your recommendation of Small Great Things by Jody Picoult. I really want to read that one. I will put it on my next library list.
-
YOu will love "Before We Were Yours', although a sad and ugly bit of history!
-
Tomereader1, I have it beside me. Glad you made the recommendation for Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate.